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This multi-crore project had been first thought of during the British rule and in independent India in 1956. What the project envisages is a continuous navigational channel from the east coast to the west coast of India, which the nation currently lacks. Presently ships coming from the east coast of India to the west coast have to navigate around Sri Lanka and thus have to go an additional 424 nautical miles or 780 kilometres, which takes an additional 30 hours.
With the opening of the proposed channel, this distance and time will be lessened not just for the ships coming in from the west coast of India but also for trade ships coming in from other western countries. For any country looking to emerge as an economic superpower, the importance of faster and cheaper trade routes cannot be denied.
While studying this project six routes were examined, here it is important to know that the areas near the coast is rich in marine life like coral ridges etc. and any path cutting through this area would mean a tragic loss of ecosystems. The other path suggested by the opposition parties goes through this area and could also result in loss of livelihood of many small fisherme, whose primary source of income would be affected.
So the only viable option left is to dredge through the shallow area known as Adam’s Bridge or to Indians as the Ram Sethu. This option is hotly contested as it would have to go through the mythical bridge.
While it is true that there is no historical proof that Lord Ram built the bridge it is also true that faith needs no scientific and historical proof and debating on matters of faith isn’t usually fruitful. However, those protesting on the behalf of Hindus are requested to consider the rule of Lord Ram itself as an example. The mythical Ram Rajya is considered as an era of widespread peace and prosperity because the rulers took care of the subjects, putting their practical needs above everything else.
Even if we take the slightly hypothetical assumption that Lord Ram himself had to decide on whether to go ahead with a channel that would break through his own creation he would surely have done it so as not to deny the opportunities it would present to the people and the nation.
As for the Ram Sethu fading into oblivion, that will never happen because the protests of the past few days have ensured that nobody forgets the existence of this mythical bridge. Besides, the nation will forever be indebted to those who are considered the custodians of Hindu faith for letting a major milestone in the nation’s development go ahead as per schedule.
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If we go by author's logic, Uniform Civil Code will also benefit all the Indians/India
Yes, it's purely a matter of faith for our Hindu Brothren, though not proven historically,scientifcially or Archeologically. However, can they not compromise a bit since crucially it is a matter of development of this great nation ? And let the polititians not use their 'thrisools' against each other to flare-up sentiments at this moment just for electoral gains. Remember, the whole world is watching us..
Yes, it's purely a matter of faith for our Hindu Brothren, though not proven historically,scientifcially or Archeologically. However, can they not compromise a bit since crucially it is a matter of development of this great nation ? And let the polititans not use their 'thrisools' against each other to flare-up sentiments at this moment just for electoral gains. Remember, the whole world is watching us..
Sir, The plan to construct the channel was coceived even in 1870 itself. In 1971 when SriLanka helped Pakistan nad gave problems for our Navy, it was conceived to make Eastrn and western fleet will need not depend upon COLOMBO. this agitation is suddenly started by people who are enmical of India's strategic interests and also SriLanka which fears colombo will loose its importance.It has nothing to do with SriRam.
The Sethu Samudram Project is not an economically viable one as it requires continuous dredging and limits the shipping tonnage while all over the world ships are becoming bigger and bigger. The Project is the price paid by the NDA as well as the UPA for the support by the DMK. The DMK feels the project will give it an opportunity to hoodwink the Tamils as the Project has been considered as an emotional one for the Tamils. Also it will help the DMK to get adequate kickbacks to fight the future elections. Let not the nation fall into the DMK trap of creating an independent Tamilnadu with Srilanka's Ezham as an intgral part for which the Project is the first step financially and administratively.
its really arrogant to say that all hindhus are agianst development , we hindhus are against the way its been treated, First any democratic country should no how to respect the sentiments of majority , one day it will spill in such a way that all india you can see Gujarat emulating
I don't think there is any need for creating the channel by spending thousands of crores. If the project is delayed by about 10-15 years, navigation of small ships would be possible without damaging the Rama Setu. But a lot depends on the success of Tata's one lakh car.
Aastha....this article of urs is absolutely rubbish....and i shall suggest that u do a bit more of research before writing or dare to write articles on such sensitive issues..FYI Ram was born on January 10, 5114 BC. By using a software called Planetarium( also used by NASA) and entering the planetary constellations mentioned in the valmiki ramayan this date has been proven. Also by entering other constellations mentioned in the ramayan his exact date of return to ayodhya has also been determined.. to get to that level 60 meters of digging is reqd. which ASI has never done earlier and so never cod b found
How can the secular folks who carped against Ram Temple at Ayodhya near Babri Masjid is unacceptable but went onto to build a channel!Let us trade Ram Temple vs Channel! Also, these same people could not trade land vs opportunity at Siliguri recently!Double standards don't apply secular media in the hindu world!
It will definitely stamp the magnnimity and inclusiveness of hiduism if we can execute the sethusamudram project. I feel the issue here is not whether Ram existed or he build the sethu; the issue is the immesnse benefit to India and Indians.
The author has forgot the historical improtance of the 'Ram sethu' in saying that Lord SriRam would have agreed to be broken today for people to save their money.The same can be extrapolated to that Shajahan might have agreed to use Taj Mahal as Dharam Shala for poor in and around Delhi, since the place is in midst of the city and during his time, the real estate had not been of this value.This indicates the hollow comparison of the author.The value of the bridge lies in protecting it as an evidence to our epic which is recited and told in a same fashoin in all corners of the subcontinent, including Indonesia, Malaysia and the like.
This is a very practical and well-balanced column showing the author's mature outlook. The fact is that the project was started by the present opposition party. But then, like in the case of many other issues, they now have a different stand.Also, as opposed to this article you should read Tarun Vijay's column in Times Of India which will aid in nothing but inciting passions and dividing people.
Ram is not mythical. He existed and still exists. What is the proof that gods of minority vote banks exists? Why cannot mms, sonia, karunanidhi etc question other faiths? Hindus have been bullied because they are peaceful people. This article talks against Hindus. Mahatma Gandhi spoke of Ram Rajya. Now since these present day gandhi's does not believe in Ram, we have ravan rajya because of terrorists and there supporters who are the minority vote banks of upa.