Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Pongal at Union minister L. Murugan’s residence in New Delhi, calling the event a global celebration and describing Tamil culture as a shared heritage of humanity.
- Modi centered farmers and conservation in his remarks, citing Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Amrit Sarovar and the Per Drop, More Crop initiative to link the festival’s themes with sustainable agriculture.
- He highlighted cultural bridges such as the Kashi–Tamil Sangamam and recalled visits to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Rameswaram as examples of efforts to popularise Tamil heritage and national cultural unity.
- Media coverage cast the Delhi appearance as outreach to voters in Tamil Nadu ahead of Assembly elections, with some reports suggesting a state visit later in January that has not been officially detailed.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin led ‘Samathuva Pongal’ at the Secretariat, promoted a Rs 3,000 Pongal gift for about 2.2 crore ration-card families with hampers, launched the Chennai Sangamam from Jan 15–18 across 20 venues, and said he would attend the Alanganallur Jallikattu on Jan 17.