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A Profuse Interview with the Chief Minister of Puducherry

CSNN India DeskPuducherry · Interview Dossier
Governance · Tourism · France · Spirituality

A Profuse Interview with the Chief Minister of Puducherry

A CSNN India Desk conversation on development, international cooperation, tourism and the civic meaning of inclusion.

Nandini Dash Journalist & Contributor Puducherry · India 5 August 2026
Interview documentation · Nandini Dash with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy
Interview compass · Five questions
01 · Vision Five-year development
02 · Projects Infrastructure & tourism
03 · Bridge Puducherry & France
04–05 · Society Spirituality & inclusion
Full Article · Original Manuscript

A Profuse Interview with the Chief Minister of Puducherry

Sri N.Rangaswamy, is a people’s person who picks the phone himself even a call from a person like me who is an outsider at Puducherry.

Sri N. Rangasamy is the present Chief Minister served the Indian Union Territory Puducherry (Formerly known as Pondicherry) for 16 years in separate terms and on May 13, 2026 formed the present government by winning Assembly elections.

Puducherry has a long connection with Europe as it was under the French colony till 1954 even after India got independence in 1947.

Puducherry, globally famous for the long sea beach and spiritual centre established by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa, A French lady later called as ‘The Mother’.

The 15th edition of Lonely Planet published, Puducherry was ranked second among the top cities to visit globally after Toulouse of France.

Government setting in Puducherry beneath the Indian flag
Puducherry · Visual Documentation A Union Territory shaped by Indian governance and a distinctive European connection.
01
Question – 1

Sir, Puducherry is a tourist spot for both spiritual and sybarite tourists from across India and other parts of the world. What is your 5-year vision for Puducherry?

Ans –

This is an on-going process of development that includes many aspects.

Question – 2

Since Puducherry is a Union Territory and you have the coalition government with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), which is ruling at the centre, how central government is assisting you in the development of Puducherry?

Ans-

Being one of the eight Union Territories in India, Puducherry directly funded by the central government.

Some of the present projects are –

  1. Infrastructure – to manage traffic jam

    4-kilometer, four-lane flyover project connects Indira Gandhi Square to Rajiv Gandhi Square and Marapalam.

  2. Modernization and Star Hotels – The government is giving star hotels Rs1 Crore subsidy to attract more travellers and provide international amenities.
  3. Beach Development project – Cleanliness and no-smoking zone.

    The Eden beach of Pondicherry has ‘Blue Flag’ certificate by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) in Denmark.

Question – 3

Since Pondicherry was a colony of France, do you have any special collaboration project with the present French government? If yes, what is it? If not, would you like to work in this direction?

Ans-

Yes, French Institute by the French government in Puducherry is there from the year 1955 as a cultural bridge between Puducherry and France.

Saint Denis of France has a long-term partnership with Puducherry.

French language is taught in most of the schools in Puducherry, not mandatory but optional subject.

There are many people from Puducherry who have French citizenship even today. They form a natural collaboration between Puducherry and France.

Interview Signal · Spiritual Heritage
“Puducherry itself is a land of spirituality.”
Question – 4

Do you think Aurobindo Ashram and the knowledge of spirituality will be spread in a new light just like yoga?

How about the Puducherry government declaring a ‘ Day of Spirituality’?

Answer-

Puducherry itself is a land of spirituality.

Declaring a ‘Day of Spirituality’ is a policy decision between the two governments. We heard your suggestion.

Question – 5

Sri Aurobindo was a Bengali, his collaborator, The Mother (Sree Ma) was born in France but their work and names are associated with Pondicherry, a Tamil speaking region of India. Do you think we are lacking the same spirit of tolerance and unity in modern times and what should be the public and private endeavour to maintain collaboration and inclusion?

Ans-

The government is inclusive and broad. In general, exclusion might be personal decision or question of some but not by the administration.

Thanks a lot, Esteemed Chief Minister Sri N.Rangaswamy and officials who helped me in translating between Tamil& English language and in all ways to make this interview successful. – Nandini Dash

Nandini Dash — Journalist and Contributor for CSNN India Desk
CSNN India Desk · Author Profile

Nandini Dash

Journalist & Contributor for CSNN – India Desk

Nandini Dash is an Indian citizen journalist, author and academician with over fifteen years of experience in journalism, education and international communication. She has worked with China Radio International in Beijing, contributed to CNN iReport, taught in colleges in India and China, and published articles in China Daily and Life Plus Magazine. She holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science and a Certificate in Digital Journalism from Reuters.

  • Citizen Journalist
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  • India Desk
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