R ARIVANANTHAM
SOMNATH, APR 18
Stating that his son-in-law is a Tamil, he is a Sikh and his wife is a Maharashtrian, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam’ is a festival that celebrates India’s unity in diversity and such events are aimed at boosting the existing cultural ties between different parts of the country under the Centre’s ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative.
There was happiness & joy during my interaction with the Saurashtrian-Tamil devotees who visited the ancient temple on the occasion of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. #VanakkamSomnath #STSangamam pic.twitter.com/67JllvVuz2
— Hardeep Singh Puri (मोदी का परिवार) (@HardeepSPuri) April 18, 2023
"महादेव और पार्वती जी का संगम
बना सौराष्ट्र तमिल संगम"सौराष्ट्र तमिल संगमम के द्वितीय दिन सनातन संस्कृति में वर्णित शिव और शक्ति के एकत्व को दर्शाता श्रींगार आज भगवान सोमनाथ को किया गया। ठिक वैसे ही जैसे शिव में शक्ति और शक्ति में शिव समायें हुए है, इस संगमम पर्व में सौराष्ट्र… https://t.co/1TlFgefwLL
— STSangamam (@STSangamam) April 18, 2023
He was speaking after attending the sangamam (confluence) that seeks to reconnect Tamil-speaking migrants from Saurashtra with their roots and foster participation in cultural exchange between the region in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The two-week long event was inaugurated on Monday at Somnath in Gujarat’s Somnath district.
- Tamils enthusiastically participate in competitions like beach volleyball, tug of war
- The winning athletes of this competition will be felicitated at the Sangamam closing ceremony
- PM shares video of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam
- Puri along with Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera and Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai interact with Saurashtrian Tamils
- Giving his own example, Puri said though he is a Sikh, his wife is a Maharashtrian while their daughter has been married in a Tamil family.
On the second day of the programme, Puri along with Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera and Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai interacted with guests from Tamil Nadu who trace their roots to the Saurashtra region of the western state.
Addressing members of the Saurashtra Tamil community, Puri said such events where people from different regions come together and exchange their thoughts, literature, culture and cuisine are important to strengthen “national unity”.
“Such events will help us in realising the dream of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ (One India, great India). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is strengthening national unity as well as relationship between different states by organising events like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam,” said the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs.
Giving his own example, Puri said though he is a Sikh, his wife is a Maharashtrian while their daughter has been married in a Tamil family.
During his interaction, the former diplomat remembered the contribution of different Tamil personalities and said roots of democracy and local governance can be found in the culture of the southern state.
On the occasion, state minister Rushikesh Patel said despite having different languages and geographical distance between states, “our devotion towards Gods and Sanatan culture is one and same”.
To strengthen this sense of unity and to give a message that entire India is one, Rushikesh Patel urged the Tamil community to take Gujarat’s water and clay to their state and send the same to the western state.
He hinted at expanding the scope of such programmes in the future.
During the interaction, invited guests from Tamil Nadu talked about different subjects, ranging from cultural similarities between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu to learning each other’s languages.
PM shares video of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam
Loving the energy and vibrancy. https://t.co/pQmra6fGf1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 18, 2023
The Prime Minister has shared a video of cultural performances from Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. Retweeting a tweet by Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, the Prime Minister said: “Loving the energy and vibrancy.”
Tamils enthusiastically participate in competitions like beach volleyball, tug of war
During the #STSangamam visitors graced the day by exploring the #Somnath beach and by showing great interest in the exhibition held for helping them all in exploring the culture and enjoy the distinct colors & vibrant cultures of #Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. #gujarattourism pic.twitter.com/5BTHoJevob
— Gujarat Tourism (@GujaratTourism) April 18, 2023
As a part of the Sangamam, various beach sports handicrafts exhibitions, and light and sound shows were organized at Somnath. Sports Authority of Gujarat organized different competitions like Beach Volleyball, tug of war etc. A large number of Tamil participants enthusiastically participated in these competitions held on the shores of Somnath on Tuesday.
Gujarati and Tamil participants formed their own teams and played beach volleyball and tug-of-war showcasing sportsmanship and Saurashtra-Tamil unity. Other tourists visiting the beach were also happy to see the sports competitions on the shore.
District Sports Development Officer Kanji Bhalia said that purpose of the beach competition is to bring the people of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat closer, to know and exchange each other’s culture, language, literature and food.
People coming from Madurai via special train will be able to participate in these games till April 26.
Five competitions such as Volleyball, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Kabaddi have been organized at Bhavnagar on April 22 and 23 for the trained Tamil Nadu and Gujarat athletes. The winning athletes of this competition will be felicitated at the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam closing ceremony.
