Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0

Why in news?

The Ministry of Education will organise Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0 from 2^nd December, 2025, to celebrate the deep civilizational links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

• Previous editions – The 1^st edition of KTS was held in 2022, 2^nd in 2023, and 3^rd in Feb, 2025.
• Theme for 4.0 – “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”.
• Aim – To promote Tamil learning across India and foster wider appreciation for India’s classical linguistic and literary heritage.
• Inspired by – The vision to uphold the civilizational, cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people bonds between the two regions, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat.
• Coordinated by – IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU),  Varanasi.
• 7 Categories –
  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Writers & Media Professionals
  • Agriculture & Allied Sectors
  • Professionals & Artisans
  • Women
  • Spiritual Scholars and Practitioners

Major Initiatives under KTS 4.0

• Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition from Tenkasi to Kashi
  • It recalls the efforts of Pandiyan ruler Shri Adi Veera Parakrama Pandiyan, who spread the message of cultural unity by traveling from Tamil Nadu to Kashi.
    • He built a Shiva temple and renamed the town Tenkasi (Dakshin Kashi) to symbolize oneness.
  • Highlights the civilizational linkages from the Chera, Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Chalukya and Vijayanagara periods, promoting awareness of Tamil literature, Siddha medicine and shared heritage.
• Teaching Tamil in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Schools
  • 50 Hindi-knowing Tamil teachers will teach Tamil to school students in Kashi under the campaign “Tamil Karkalam”.
• Tamil Learning Study Tours for Students of Uttar Pradesh
  • A total of 300 college students from Kashi will travel to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day Tamil learning programme.
  • Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai will provide orientation and learning materials.
  • Host institutions will organize academic and cultural tours highlighting Tamil Nadu’s heritage, traditions and historic ties with Kashi.

References

1. PIB | Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0  
2. KTS | Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS)