The Ministry is also planning a Chintan Shivir with Textile sector Stakeholders in Rajkot on April 21-22, 2023, to discuss and reflect on a variety of critical objectives and contemporary issues relevant to the textile sector. "Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam" is behind the activities.
The 'Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam' is organized in close collaboration between the Gujarat State and Central Governments, and is backed by a number of institutions and ministries, including the Ministry of Textiles.
On April 21, 2023, the Chintan Shivir programme will comprise two expert discussions: (a) examining prospects for India in Technical Textile with an emphasis on Home-Tech and Cloth-Tech goods, and (b) Roadmap for Sustainability and Circularity. Textile Advisory Group (TAG) meetings on cotton and man-made fibres are scheduled for the afternoon of April 22, 2023, followed by the soft launch of an e-commerce portal for handloom and handicraft products.
A population of around 13 lakh Saurashtrians currently residing in 47 Tamil Nadu cities/towns may trace their ancestors back to Gujarat. According to historical reports, the Saurashtrian people, who were highly skilled in a range of jobs other than weaving, relocated in great numbers to Madurai and other cities in the state around 400 years ago, as a result of upheavals induced by external invasions.
The goal of Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam (STS), which will be held in April 2023 at Somnath, Dwarka, and the Statue of Unity (Gujarat), is to strengthen age-old relationships and cultural linkages between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu. The STS is another significant milestone event in the series of events organized by the Government of India under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' (EBSB) initiative.
Through the concept of State/UT pairing, the EBSB initiative, driven by the vision of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, intends to encourage interaction and develop mutual understanding amongst people from different States/UTs. Language, literature, food, festivals, cultural events, and tourism are just a few of the ways the partnered states/UTs interact with one another.
The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam is a perfect continuation of the Kashi Tamil Samgamam held last year in Varanasi, where our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, reiterated that "our resolutions in 'Amrit Kaal' will be fulfilled by the unity and collective efforts of the entire country" and emphasized the importance of building on the positive outcomes of the Kashi Tamil Sangam.
The initiative 'Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam' aims to promote the rich cultural history of the Saurashtra community in Tamil Nadu. It would provide a venue for Saurashtrians in Tamil Nadu to engage with their Gujarati counterparts and celebrate their common customs and beliefs.
