Kashi, TN share special emotional bond, says PM

On 2nd edition of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, Modi quotes Subramania Bharathi saying India’s diversity shaped by spiritual consciousness

- NAMITA BAJPAI

HIGHLIGHTING the emotional and creative bond between the people of Kashi, his parliamentary constituency, and Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that events like Kashi-Tamil Sangmam consolidated the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'.

While inaugurating the second edition of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Sunday, the PM sought to define the ties between the two most ancient centres of the country's rich cultural heritage, saying Kashi and Tamil Nadu shared centuries old ties which were not only emotional but creative also as both were the abodes of Lord Shiva.

"In other parts of the world, countries are relegated to being just a political definition but 'Bharat' has been blessed with different spiritual faiths in abundance and this spirituality has kept this country one. Saints like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujam rekindled sense of nationalism by criss-crossing the country. Due to the Yatras by those spiritual gurus who instilled spiritual consciousness in the countrymen, India has remained eternal and unwavering as a nation," said the PM while addressing the gathering of delegates of the Samagam at Namo Ghat in Varanasi.