Chennai: Around 300 students from Kashi arrived in Chennai on Saturday under the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 initiative and were accorded a warm traditional welcome at the Chennai Railway Station.

Faculty members from IIT Madras, officials and public representatives received the students, highlighting the programme's objective of strengthening cultural unity, mutual understanding and cooperation between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Later, the students were received at IIT Madras, where Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi interacted with them and spoke about the deep civilisational and cultural links between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. He underlined the importance of cultural exchange programmes in fostering national integration.

IIT Madras officials said Kashi and Tamil Nadu have been major centres of India's ancient civilisation and noted that such exchanges help promote understanding of language, culture and traditions while reinforcing the unity and integrity of the country.

This is the first time such a large group of students from Kashi has undertaken an educational and cultural tour to South India. During the 10-day programme, the students, divided into 10 groups, will study Tamil language, literature, culture and traditions, stay at various universities and visit temples, historical sites and educational institutions across South India. The tour will conclude at Rameswaram.

Students expressed enthusiasm over the visit, describing the experience as memorable and enriching, and said the journey symbolised the spirit of unity in diversity.