PM Modi uses AI-based translation tool to interact with Tamil audience for the first time

In a first, a real-time Artificial Intelligence-based tool was used to translate PM Narendra Modi's speech at Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Sunday. Addressing the event at Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, PM Modi welcomed the participants calling them his family.

"Today, the use of new technology has taken place here through Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is a new beginning and hopefully, it makes it easier for me to reach you," PM Modi said at Kashi Tamil Sangamam.

The AI tool in question is called 'Bhashini' for those in the audience who only speak the Tamil language. The AI-led translation system enables people to speak in their own language while talking to speakers of other Indian languages.

Breaking barriers so every citizen of our nation benefits from our Central Government’s social welfare programmes has been our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl’s priority. Our Hon PM, on the inaugural event of #KashiTamilSangamam, tried real-time translation using Artificial… pic.twitter.com/1qnwPOYWHZ

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k)

In his speech, PM Modi described the bond between the people of Tamil Nadu and Varanasi “special” and said that travelling from Varanasi to Tamil Nadu is like going from “Mahadev's one home to another.”

"Going to Varanasi from Tamil Nadu means going from Mahadev's one home to another. That's why the bond between people of Tamil Nadu and Varanasi is special," the PM said.

The Prime Minister also recalled the Sengol, which was installed in the new Parliament building, and said that it was brought to the Parliament from Tamil Nadu.

"This feeling of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' was also visible when we entered the new building of Parliament. The Sengol has been installed in the new Parliament building. Under the guidance of the saints of Adheenam, this same Sengol became the symbol of the transfer of power in 1947," he added.

The Prime Minister quoted King Pandiyan and said that Kashi cannot be destroyed despite various attacks by invaders in the past. "When the centres of our faith, Kashi, were being attacked by invaders, King Parakram Pandiyan built temples in Tenkasi and Shivakasi saying that Kashi cannot be destroyed," he said. 

"If you look at any civilization of the world, you will hardly find such a simple and superior form of intimacy in diversity anywhere. Even recently, during the G-20 Summit, the world was amazed to see this diversity of India," PM Modi added.

Ahead of the event, he flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express train that is bound to run between Kanyakumari and Varanasi. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 is the Centre's initiative by part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to uphold the Spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat.’ The second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) is being held from December 17-30, 2023. 

The first edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was held from November 16 to December 16, 2022 and over 2500 people from Tamil Nadu, representing 12 different walks of life travelled to Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya on eight tours.