Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes for the harvest festival to the people of Tamil Nadu and addressed a special letter to them. Pongal was described by the Prime Minister in his message as an epitome of “the bond between nature and humanity” with the sentiments of the Tamil people that is the essence of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
A Tribute to the ‘Annadata’
The Prime Minister’s letter, in Tamil and English, set the state’s farming community at the center of the celebration. “Pongal is the celebration of the hard work of our Annadatas the farmers who ensure food security for the nation,” the letter said. PM Modi emphasized that the “boiling over” of the Pongal pot is more than a mere tradition and is emblematic of the overflowing prosperity he envisions for every Tamil household.
Focus on Tamil Heritage and Progress
By the end of the letter, PM Modi had also a lot to say about Tamil Nadu’s historical legacy. The success of initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, which have tried to bridge cultural divides, he said. “Tamil is one of the world’s oldest, most beautiful languages. Its literature, from Sangam times to Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom, continues to serve as a guide to a more just and compassionate society,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi writes a letter to the people of Tamil Nadu, extending Pongal greetings. pic.twitter.com/jJYQLrJ2tS
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2026
He also reiterated his government’s dedication to the state’s infrastructure by referring to the Chennai Metro Phase 2 and Defence Industrial Corridor development that has recently been underway. Pre-Poll Strategy in 2026. Political observers see in this letter a kind of personal outreach to the people of this state, a gesture which arrives weeks ahead of the Prime Minister’s planned visit date of January 23.
By communicating directly with the public in this letter, PM Modi may be enhancing his "emotional connect" with Tamil Nadu; highlighting in this letter the state’s development priorities which are central to the "Viksit Bharat 2047" mission. The letter concludes with the traditional greeting: "Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal! (Happy Pongal Greetings)," as the Prime Minister prayed for the health and happiness of the global Tamil diaspora.
