Overview
- At Union Minister L. Murugan’s residence in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pongal a global festival and described Tamil culture as a shared heritage of humanity.
- Modi tied the festival’s message to sustainable agriculture, citing Centre initiatives including Mission LIFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Amrit Sarovar, and the Per Drop, More Crop program.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin promoted a ‘Dravidian Model 2.0’, highlighted a Rs 3,000 Pongal cash gift and hampers for families, and scheduled participation in the Alanganallur Jallikattu on January 17.
- The Puducherry government credited Rs 3,000 via DBT to 3.47 lakh PDS families and distributed a free Pongal commodity package worth Rs 750 through ration shops.
- In Bihar, Nitish Kumar and other leaders attended Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha’s Dahi‑Chura feast, where Tej Pratap Yadav’s presence drew attention but no NDA move was announced.