Ahmedabad
Monday, 17 April 2023
India has ushered into the era of a cultural renaissance under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during his address at Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam in Somnath, Gujarat on April 17, 2023. He stated 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 the ability & capability to withstand any challenge.
The Raksha Mantri 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 to 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’.
On the cultural connection between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu, Shri 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 connection between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu, describing it as one of the shining chapters of a unified India.
Governor of Telangana Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
PR GNR/NM/MC/CK/40/2023
