R ARIVANANTHAM
SOMNATH, APR 17
Stating that India has ushered into the era of cultural renaissance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Government is taking a number of steps to connect the people with the nation’s centuries-old traditions and cultures. He added that India’s deep-rooted traditions depict strength & unity, providing ability & capability to withstand any challenge.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his best wishes to the participants of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam
- Governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Pondicherry Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya also take part in the event
- The first batch of Saurashtrian Tamils get Gujarati and Tamil traditional welcome at Somnath
He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam at Somnath on Monday.
Speaking at the Inaugural Session of #STSangamam at Somnath. https://t.co/5EFGQ0xncL
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) April 17, 2023
The Defence Minister stressed the need to ensure ‘cultural security’, describing it as equally essential as security of the borders and other aspects such as food, energy, environment, cyber and space. He asserted that the Government is laying emphasis on cultural security and special attention is being paid towards maintaining cultural unity. He termed the event – a confluence of Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu – as a celebration of India’s cultural unity and a shining example of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’.
There is need to ensure ‘cultural security’, as it is equally essential as the security of our borders and other areas such as food, energy, environment, cyber and space.
PM Shri @narendramodi is paying special attention towards strengthening India’s cultural unity & security.
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) April 17, 2023
On the cultural connect between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu, Rajnath Singh stated that the ties date back more than a thousand years. “Saurashtra was attacked several times by foreign invaders around the eleventh century. It was that period when a large number of people from Saurashtra migrated to South India. During that time the people of Tamil Nadu welcomed them and helped in starting a new life,” he said. He gave numerous examples of the centuries-old connect between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu, describing it as one of the shining chapters of a unified India.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏: 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝗱𝘂
❓What Happened when Mohammad Ghazni attacked Somnath Temple?
❓Why Saurashtrian Community had to leave their homeland?
See this chapter to know all about this.#STSangamam pic.twitter.com/QiJqiom3Ye
— STSangamam (@STSangamam) April 17, 2023
The minister added that during the several conquests, invaders destroyed temples, homes and several places, but one thing which could not be broken was India and the spirit of being Indian. He said the feeling of India can only be felt and can’t be taken away. It is this spirit of India that kept the Saurashtrian Tamils peaceful and prosperous after thousand years of migration.
Singh also added that it is the land of India which has provided protection to refugees from across the world. He also appreciated the valuable contribution of Saurastrian Tamils in the trade and economic prosperity of Tamilnadu.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi started politics of inclusive development without any discrimination. The exchange of literature, trade, culture and commerce between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will increase after this event under the guidance and leadership of Narendrabhai Modi. This festival will be the foundation of national unity.”
Talking about the relationship between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu and the contributions of the Saurashtrian people, the Governor of Telangana and Lt Govrnor of Puducherry Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said that the ruler Thirumalai Naikkar and the princess used to wear silk clothes woven by Gujarati weavers from Saurashtra which was finer than the Chinese and European silk.
Union Health Minister Mansukhbhai Mandaviya welcomed the tourists from Tamil Nadu and said that the Saurashtrians, who migrated to Tamil Nadu by sea to save their religion and culture, have again visited their native land in honor of the first Jyotirlinga Lord Somnath. India’s specialty is unity in diversity, he added.
The programme is being organised under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat to foster the age-old cultural bond between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
MP of Navsari CR Paatil, Health Minister of Gujarat Rushikeshbhai Patel, Tourism Minister of Gujarat Mulubhai Bera, MPs Rajeshbhai Chudasama, Poonamben Madam, Rambhai Mokaria, Zilla Panchayat President Ramiben Waja, MLAs, Tourism Secretary Harit Shukla, Commissioner of Youth Services and Culture Department Harshad Kumar Patel and officials of government, Somnath Trust, and district administration were present during the event.
Visuals from the grand welcome reception of the first batch’s arrival at Somnath for the #STSangamam inaugural event.
You can see the happiness on their face for visiting the land of their ancestors.
Vanakkkam Somnath🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/eMkdJNxebh
— STSangamam (@STSangamam) April 17, 2023
As part of the sangamam, delegates will visit various heritage and tourist places such as Somnath, Dwarka and the Statue of Unity and participate in the cultural programmes between April 17 and 26.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveys wishes
As the landmark #STSangamam commences, my best wishes to all participants. The bond between the Saurashtra region in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is a very old and strong one. May this Sangamam boost cultural linkages and the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’ https://t.co/L9EvAAJGIQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his best wishes to the participants of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. Sharing a tweet by Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam today, the Prime Minister said, the bond between the Saurashtra region in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is a very old and strong one. He said, this Sangamam may boost cultural linkages and the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
Tamil brothers and sisters enjoying
🎶 મારું મન મોર બની થનગાટ કરે 🎶 pic.twitter.com/qqVlbtFdiM
— STSangamam (@STSangamam) April 17, 2023
Logo speaks of the cultural link
The skill in silk fabric production of the Tamil Saurashtrian people and Gujarat’s textile industry are combined in the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam logo. The Somnath temple, the Saurashtrians’ original home, and the Meenakshi temple close to Madurai, where they settled, serve as visual representations of the blending of the two civilizations. A young woman representing the fusion of two art forms is seen dancing and wearing dandiya and Bharatanatyam. The blue colour on the lower side represents the union of the two states with the sea, while the upper tricolour represents the slogan of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.”
Also Read:
Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, a milestone in TN-Gujarat ties: Union Minister Mandaviya
