PM Modi Celebrates Pongal, Calls Tamil Culture a Global Heritage

On January 14, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Tamil diaspora, and communities across India on the occasion of Pongal. Addressing the significance of the festival, the Prime Minister highlighted how Pongal has evolved from a regional harvest festival into a celebration embraced by Tamil communities worldwide. He emphasized the festival’s core values of gratitude toward nature, family, and society, describing it as a reflection of the harmony between humans and the environment.

Participating in the celebrations in New Delhi, Modiji remarked that Tamil culture is a living testament to India’s rich heritage. Its traditions, spanning centuries, continue to guide and inspire, making it a shared cultural treasure for the nation and humanity as a whole. Through his engagement with Tamil cultural practices and historic sites, the Prime Minister underlined how these traditions strengthen the country’s diverse cultural fabric.

PM Modi | Economic Times

Celebrating Farmers and Sustainable Practices

Central to the Prime Minister’s message was recognition of the contributions of farmers, whom he described as the foundation of India’s growth and prosperity. Drawing inspiration from ancient Tamil texts like the Thirukkural, Modiji emphasized the dignity of agricultural life and the importance of respecting the land. He highlighted government initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and rural development, linking them to the values celebrated during Pongal.

Modiji also stressed the relevance of environmental stewardship, urging citizens to conserve resources, protect soil and water, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Initiatives like Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Amrit Sarovar were mentioned as examples of efforts to nurture ecological balance, reflecting the timeless connection between Tamil traditions and environmental responsibility.

Unity in Diversity: Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat

Pongal was framed by Modiji within the broader context of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, a vision of national unity through cultural diversity. He observed that festivals like Pongal, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Magh Bihu, celebrated across different regions of India, highlight the country’s ability to embrace diverse traditions while fostering collective identity. By bringing people from various backgrounds together in celebration, these festivals reinforce bonds of social harmony and mutual respect.

The Prime Minister’s participation in the New Delhi celebrations, alongside cultural and political leaders, underscored the importance of shared heritage in building community cohesion. The event featured traditional rituals, cultural performances, and symbolic expressions of gratitude, reflecting the vibrancy of Tamil culture and its enduring relevance in modern India.

Pongal Beyond Borders

Pongal is celebrated with equal enthusiasm among Tamil communities across the globe. Traditional practices such as cooking sweet rice in clay pots, drawing decorative kolams, and honoring the Sun and nature are observed by diaspora communities in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. These celebrations illustrate the festival’s universal appeal and its role in maintaining cultural connections among Tamils worldwide.

Across Tamil Nadu, millions of people marked the festival with elaborate preparations, family gatherings, and cultural events, reinforcing communal harmony and the significance of agricultural life. The Prime Minister’s message resonated with these celebrations, connecting local traditions with India’s broader cultural narrative.

The MGMM Outlook

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pongal greetings underscored the enduring richness of Tamil culture and its universal resonance. By highlighting the festival’s evolution from a regional harvest celebration to a tradition embraced by Tamil communities worldwide, he emphasized values of gratitude, familial bonds, and harmony with nature. His participation in the New Delhi festivities reinforced how cultural practices strengthen India’s diverse social fabric, while also recognizing farmers as vital contributors to the nation’s prosperity. Drawing on ancient Tamil wisdom, the Prime Minister linked age-old traditions to modern initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and rural development, showcasing the relevance of Tamil heritage in addressing contemporary challenges.

Framing Pongal within the broader vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” Modiji illustrated how regional festivals foster unity amid diversity, creating bonds of social cohesion across India. The celebration of Pongal by diaspora communities in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka highlighted the global significance of Tamil traditions, demonstrating their role in maintaining cultural identity beyond borders. Through these observances, from elaborate family rituals to public cultural performances, the festival continues to reflect the interplay between tradition, environmental stewardship, and collective cultural pride, offering a model of shared heritage for both the nation and the world.

(Sources: India Today, Economic Times, NDTV)