Chief Minister Stalin Flags Off “Vetrikodi Vēdhi” Tamil Cultural Immersion Tour for Overseas Tamil Youth

Chennai, Aug 25 : In a bid to strengthen cultural ties with the global Tamil diaspora, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin today flagged off the fourth phase of the “Vetrikodi Vēdhi” Tamil Cultural Exchange Programme at the Secretariat. Under this initiative, 99 overseas Tamil youth from 14 countries will embark on a 15-day heritage tour across Tamil Nadu from August 1 to August 15, 2025.

Launched by the Chief Minister in Singapore on May 24, 2023, the “Vetrikodi Vēdhi” programme aims to reconnect young Tamils living abroad with their roots, heritage, and cultural legacy. This immersive initiative enables diaspora youth aged 18-30 to experience Tamil Nadu’s language, art, architecture, sculpture, traditional water management systems, literature, and interact with scholars, historians, and artisans.

Since its inception, the programme has successfully facilitated cultural tours for 194 Tamil youth from 17 countries across three phases. The fourth phase, flagged off today, includes participants from Fiji, Reunion Island, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Indonesia, South Africa, Myanmar, Mauritius, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, France, Australia, Canada, and Germany.

During the flag-off ceremony, Chief Minister Stalin handed over travel kits, itinerary booklets, identity cards, and resource materials to the participants. The youth will act as “Cultural Ambassadors” of Tamil Nadu in their respective countries upon return, promoting the state’s rich heritage and fostering global Tamil unity.

The event was attended by Minister for Minorities Welfare and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils Mr. Gingee K.S. Masthan, Chief Secretary Mr. N. Muruganandam IAS, Principal Secretary for Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils and Rehabilitation Ms. Rita Harish Shekhar IAS, Commissioner for Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare and Rehabilitation Dr. M. Elilarasan IAS, and senior government officials.