SAURASHTRA TAMIL SANGAMAM (EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT)

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Context: The Prime Minister extends his best wishes to the participants of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam.

Details

Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam

• It is a 10-day festival that celebrates the age-old ties and cultural links between the two coastal States of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
• The festival was inaugurated on 17th April 2023 at Somnath, the sacred site of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The festival will conclude on 30th April 2023 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• The festival will also feature various cultural programs and exhibitions that will showcase the art, craft, music, dance, literature and cuisine of both Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Participants

• Nearly 3,000 people from Tamil Nadu, mostly Gujaratis settled in the southern State, participate. They will be brought on a special train, named 'Saurashtra Tamil Express', and will visit various places of historical, religious and cultural significance in Gujarat.
  • They will also explore the natural beauty and wildlife of Gujarat, such as the Gir Forest, home to the Asiatic lions, and the Statue of Unity (dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel).
• The participants will get an opportunity to interact with each other and learn about each other's culture and traditions.
• They will also witness the similarities and differences between the two regions and appreciate their unique contributions to India's freedom struggle and development.

Conclusion

• The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam is a unique exercise to facilitate a consistent and improved exchange between people from diverse regions and lifestyles. It is an initiative that reflects the cultural diversity and strength of India. It also demonstrates the oneness of India to the world by highlighting how the Saurashtra Tamils have assimilated with the traditions of Tamil Nadu and as well as preserved their language and culture.
• The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam is a celebration of India's might and characteristics. It is a celebration of India's unity in diversity. It is a celebration of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.

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Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/ek-bharat-shreshtha-bharat-34

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is an initiative launched by the Government of India to promote cultural diversity and national integration. What are the major challenges faced by the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme and how can they be overcome to achieve its desired outcomes?

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1917186