On January 14, 2026, in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Union Minister of State L. Participated in Pongal celebrations at Murugan’s residence. PM Modi performed puja in the traditional way, performed aarti and fed the cow. He stayed there for about an hour.

PM Modi stayed for 1 hour at Union Minister’s house

Union Minister L. In the Pongal celebrations at Murugan’s house, Ven Pongal (salty) and Sakkarai Pongal (sweet) were prepared mainly from new rice. Coconut chutney, sambar, vada, payasam, banana and seasonal fruits were served with them. On this occasion, PM Modi said that Tamil culture is one of the oldest living civilizations in the world, which connects centuries.

Pongal has become a global festival: Modi

Talking about the importance of Pongal festival, PM Modi said, ‘Pongal has now become a global festival. Tamil community all over the world and people who love Tamil culture celebrate it with great enthusiasm. I am proud to be one of them.

PM Modi further said that Pongal teaches us the importance of maintaining balance between nature, family and society. It celebrates the hard work of farmers and reminds us of the importance of the earth, soil health, water conservation and balanced use of resources. He mentioned campaigns like Mission Life, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and Amrit Sarovar, which carry forward this spirit of environmental protection.

PM Modi mentioned several programs related to Tamil culture in the last one year, such as visiting the 1000-year-old temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Kashi Tamil Sangamam and inauguration of Pamban Bridge in Rameshwaram.

What is Pongal festival?

Pongal festival is mainly celebrated from 14 to 17 January, which includes Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal (Thai Pongal – main day), Mattu Pongal (worship of cows and bulls) and Kaanum Pongal. It falls around Makar Sankranti and symbolizes the rich agricultural traditions of India. It is the major harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, celebrated to express gratitude to nature, Sun God, livestock and farmers.

During Pongal, traditional dishes are mainly cooked from new rice. These include sweet and salty. Coconut chutney, sambar, vada, payasam, banana and seasonal fruits are served with them. According to tradition, sweet and salty food is cooked in earthen pots in the open space. The overflow of milk and rice is considered an auspicious sign of prosperity.

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Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kalyangam (TVK) party will make a political debut in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections next year. During the program organized in Madurai at the second state conference of the party, Vijay indicated that his party will contest several seats.

The possibility of alliance rejected
Vijay clarified that his party will neither aligned with DMK in power nor with BJP. He said that TVK will contest completely alone. Vijay said – “Our ideological enemy is only BJP and our political enemy is only DMK… TV is not a party that has been started only for political gains. Crores of people are with us. 2026 election is a fight between TVK and DMK.”

Opposition and political rival
Vijay nominated BJP as the party’s “only conceptual” and DMK as “only political opponent”. He insisted that the 2026 election will be held only between DMK and TVK in Tamil Nadu.

Message to public
A large number of fans were present in the program and Vijay gave a message of his party’s strategy to contest independent elections, in which there is no intention of aligning with any major party.

Thalapati Vijay’s question to PM Modi, said- finish NEET
In his speech, Vijay directly attacked the NEET policy of the Center. He said, “You are imposing NEET exam due to your stubbornness. Speaking about what is happening here. Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, Vijay said loudly, “Take back NEET! Can you do this, Narendra Modi Avragal?”

Victory thundered again over the Kuthathivu dispute
Vijay challenged the central government on the Kachchathivu issue. He said, “The Sri Lanka Navy has attacked 800 Tamil Nadu fishermen. To ensure the safety of our fishermen, take back the Kachthivu island and hand it over to us.”

Assam Tamil Nadu Biennial Elections: The Election Commission has announced the date of by -elections in Tamil Nadu and Assam. Elections will be held on June 19 for Assam’s 2 and Tamil Nadu’s 6 Rajya Sabha seats. The Election Commission has also shared information about the date of counting. He has also mentioned the election seats in his press release. Everything has been told from the date of notification till the date of counting.

Elections will be held in Assam 2 and 6 Rajya Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Assam’s missions Ranjan Das and Birendra Prasad Vaishya are retiring on 14 June. At the same time, Tamil Nadu’s Anbumani Ramdos, M. Shanmugam, N. Chandrasekaran, M. Mohammad Abdullah, P. Wilson and Thiru Vaiko are retiring on July 24.

When will counting

The notification of the election to be held in Assam and Tamil Nadu will be released on June 2 (Monday). The last date for nomination is 9 June (Monday). Nomination will be scrutiny by June 10 (Tuesday). If a candidate wants to withdraw his name, he will be able to do so by June 12. The election will be held on June 19. At the same time, counting will also be held on June 19.

ECI Announces Schedule for Biennial Elections in Assam and Tamil Nadu Due to the Retirement of Sitting Members on 14th June and 24th July.

Date of Poll- 19th June, 2025 (Thursday)
Counting of Votes – 19th June, 2025 (Thursday) pic.twitter.com/olkhprrrxhm

– ANI (@ani) May 26, 2025

update in progress…