1 Nov. 23, 2007 Setu – a booklet by CM Kalaijnar (A book review) Said to contain letters written by CM Kalaijnar to his brothers and sisters and published in Murasoli with evidences, DMK Party has published this booklet on 22 Nov. 2007. One lakh copies of the booklet are said to have been printed and is priced at Rs. 5 (See the Hindu Report of 22 Nov. 2007). There has been a blurring of roles. The book’s author is cited as Chief Minister (mudalvar in Tamil). The book also contains letters allegedly written in his capacity as CM. How come DMK party can get hold of these letters? How come MuKa releases such letters in violation of the Official Secrets Act? The interesting facets of the book are not in what it reveals but in what it does not. There is no response to the serious objections raised related to national security, coastline security, tsunami protection measures, thorium accumulations, creation of international waters boundary, nautical issues related to virtually no savings in navigation time and navigational hazards. The title is called, ‘setu’. The learned author does not explain its meaning. Maybe, he knows that according to a Tamil encyclopaedia, Abhidana Kos’am, the word ‘setu’ means: ceyar karai (that is, man-made bund). The English word, ‘bund’ comes from the word, ‘bandhanam’ in all bharatiya languages including Tamil. Rames’waram in tamil tradition and in many cartographs is called Setubandha Rames’waram. It is also surprising that he does not refer to the copper plate (Velanjeri) of Parantaka Chola of 10 th century referring to Setutirtham. He does not even refer to Cilappadikaram which contains references to Kannagi, the embodiment of Tamil culture. The same text of a Jaina Muni, Ilango Adigal contains reference to Rama and Kannagi’s prayer to Korkai (Durga). Maybe, the learned CM was constrained for space in Murasoli in bringing out these evidences. Suggestio falsi, suppression veri is an usual technique of many poiticians. It is unfortunate CM also falls a prey to this practice and gives a false view of the economics of the project, without even referring to the advice of the learned A Ramaswamy Mudaliar who gave the first report in 1961 in independent India recommending that cutting a channel passage through Rama Setu (Adam’s bridge) should be abandoned. Selective amnesia is the hallmark of many politicians; afterall, MuKa (called Mudalvar Kalaijnar as the author of the booklet) is no exception to this affliction called amnesia. Maybe, he is cautious in view of the many court cases he is facing on the issue of his statements about his intimate knowledge of Valmiki’s, Tulasidas’s works. He cites Rajaji and he fails to cite from the Tamil sangam works including Akananooru which refer to Rama Setu. Kalaijnar wears many robes and the blurring of his position as CM and as party chief of DMK is the most serious manifestation. CM the author does not even refer to his own government’s posters issued through Tamilnadu Tourism Corporation inviting tourists to visit Rama Setu built with floating stones and the seas touched by Sri Rama’s feet, making it a divyakshetram. Maybe, CM is thinking of issuing an ordinance declaring Rames’waram as divyakshetram and announcing the abandonment of the setu project which is a project disaster. It is statesmanship to recognize blunders and back down. Will MuKa back down and work out alternatives for developing the coastal regions of Bharatam PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1
Nov. 23, 2007
Setu – a booklet by CM Kalaijnar (A book review)
Said to contain letters written by CM Kalaijnar to his brothers and sisters and published in Murasoli with evidences, DMK Party has published this booklet on 22
Nov. 2007. One lakh copies of the booklet are said to have been printed and is priced at Rs. 5 (See the Hindu Report of 22 Nov. 2007).
There has been a blurring of roles. The book’s author is cited as Chief Minister (mudalvar in Tamil). The book also contains letters allegedly written in his capacity
as CM. How come DMK party can get hold of these letters? How come MuKa releases
such letters in violation of the Official Secrets Act?
The interesting facets of the book are not in what it reveals but in what it does not.
There is no response to the serious objections raised related to national security, coastline security, tsunami protection measures, thorium accumulations, creation of
international waters boundary, nautical issues related to virtually no savings in navigation time and navigational hazards.
The title is called, ‘setu’. The learned author does not explain its meaning. Maybe, he knows that according to a Tamil encyclopaedia, Abhidana Kos’am, the word ‘setu’
means: ceyar karai (that is, man-made bund). The English word, ‘bund’ comes from
the word, ‘bandhanam’ in all bharatiya languages including Tamil. Rames’waram in tamil tradition and in many cartographs is called Setubandha Rames’waram. It is
also surprising that he does not refer to the copper plate (Velanjeri) of Parantaka
Chola of 10th century referring to Setutirtham. He does not even refer to Cilappadikaram which contains references to Kannagi, the embodiment of Tamil
culture. The same text of a Jaina Muni, Ilango Adigal contains reference to Rama and
Kannagi’s prayer to Korkai (Durga). Maybe, the learned CM was constrained for space in Murasoli in bringing out these evidences. Suggestio falsi, suppression veri is
an usual technique of many poiticians. It is unfortunate CM also falls a prey to this practice and gives a false view of the economics of the project, without even
referring to the advice of the learned A Ramaswamy Mudaliar who gave the first
report in 1961 in independent India recommending that cutting a channel passage through Rama Setu (Adam’s bridge) should be abandoned. Selective amnesia is the
hallmark of many politicians; afterall, MuKa (called Mudalvar Kalaijnar as the author
of the booklet) is no exception to this affliction called amnesia. Maybe, he is cautious in view of the many court cases he is facing on the issue of his statements about his
intimate knowledge of Valmiki’s, Tulasidas’s works. He cites Rajaji and he fails to cite
from the Tamil sangam works including Akananooru which refer to Rama Setu. Kalaijnar wears many robes and the blurring of his position as CM and as party chief
of DMK is the most serious manifestation.
CM the author does not even refer to his own government’s posters issued through
Tamilnadu Tourism Corporation inviting tourists to visit Rama Setu built with floating stones and the seas touched by Sri Rama’s feet, making it a divyakshetram.
Maybe, CM is thinking of issuing an ordinance declaring Rames’waram as divyakshetram and announcing the abandonment of the setu project which is a
project disaster. It is statesmanship to recognize blunders and back down. Will MuKa
back down and work out alternatives for developing the coastal regions of Bharatam
PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com
Rameswaram (Chennai to Rameswaram 572 km) is a small island in the Gulf of
Mannar, is a major pilgrim centre. It is connected to the mainland by road and
railway bridges. Rameswaram is a holy place because Sri Rama, on his return from Sri Lanka, offered his thanks to Lord Shiva and performed pooja to wash away his
sin in killing the Demon King, Ravana.
Rameswaram is known for its 22 theerthas or wells in and around the main temple. This place is equally sacred to both Vaishnavites and Shaivites. According to Hindu
Mythology, if one visits Rameswaram and prays to Lord Shiva one will be relieved of
one’s sins. It is 197 metres long.
The Ramanathaswamy temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one
in the world.
Besides pilgrimage, Rameswaram Island has several places, which are ideal picnic
spots. There are beautiful beaches at Olaikuda, Dhanushkodi and Pamban. The Olaikuda beach is 1 km from the main temple and s engulfed by coral reefs, which
makes bathing in the sea safe and enjoyable. With diving glasses and respiration tubes, scuba diving is safe and possible. Flamingos, sea gulls and a variety of birds
migrate to the Rameswaram Island during winter.
PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com
16
Rameswaram is a main fishing centre of Tamil Nadu. Variety of fishes including
export quality fish like prawns, sea cucumber, and lobster are available here. Rameswaram is also famous for its dry fish…
10.Kothandaramaswamy Temple This temple is located 12 kms away from
Rameswaram. A popular belief is that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered
(Deccan Chronicle, 22 Nov. 2007) Chennai, Nov. 21: Sir A.R. Mudaliar in his report in 1956 had suggested that
Sethusamudram shipping project should not be executed with the present alignment, as it would lead to navigational hazards, BJP state president L. Ganesan said.
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Ganesan said that Sir Mudaliar had reported that
shifting sandbanks in the Ramar Sethu area presented a far more formidable problem — both at the stage of construction and during maintenance than the sand
dunes on the Danushkodi island site. "Approaches to a channel would be far too open
with no possibility of construction of protective works. A channel at this site—even if it can be made (which is unlikely) would entail definite navigational hazard," Sir
Mudaliar had said in his report. Mr Ganesan said that in these circumstances the idea
of cutting a passage in the sea through Ramar Sethu should be abandoned. "Mr Karunanidhi and Mr Baalu should not hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus,
who believe that Lord Rama had built the bridge across the ocean to Lanka. Instead they can operate numerous ships to the Ramar Sethu for pilgrims to worship Lord
Rama and for tourists to visit the site," he said, adding that during 1974 he had
visited the site in a catamaran for a rupee. Refuting the charges made by the Congress and DMK that BJP did not take any steps
to announce it as a national monument, Mr Ganesan said that there was no danger
to Ramar Sethu during our regime, so there was no reason for us to declare it as a national monument but now the Congress and DMK pose a grave danger to the
Special Correspondent CHENNAI: Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi's thoughts on Sethusamudram have been
compiled as a book. The 60-page booklet, 'Sethu,' is priced at Rs.5 and published by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
In it, Mr. Karunanidhi elucidates in simple language the need for the project and
makes a compelling argument on why it should be completed at an early date. "We have printed one lakh copies. It is available at Anna Arivalayam," Mr.
Karunanidhi said when asked about the book. He has been giving copies to many
who met him at his residence. Earlier, Mr.Karunanidhi had written a series of articles in the party organ 'Murasoli'
on the various aspects of the canal project in October this year.
PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com
17
In a letter in 2002, Mr. Karunanidhi pointed out that the DMK had been raising the
issue for the past 50 years. "I have written personal letters and spoken to most of the Prime Ministers about it,"
he said.
Contending that the project was as important as the Suez canal and the Panama Canal, Mr. Karunanidhi said its implementation would help many ports in the region
— Colachel, Muttam, Tuticorin, Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Karaikkal, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
It would boost economic development of backward areas such as Tirunelveli,
Tuticorin, Virudhunagar, Karaikudi, Tirupattur, Madurai and Nagercoil. http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112262211000.htm
Ram Setu: Religious leaders challenge Karunanidhi to debate 17 Nov 2007, 1932 hrs IST , PTI
CHENNAI: Criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi for his remarks on Lord Ram, Hindu religious leaders on Saturday challenged him to a
public debate on the Ram Sethu issue.
"We respect Karunanidhi as an elder statesman of the country. But his insulting
remarks on Lord Ram have hurt the sentiments of saints, heads of 'Mutts' and millions of Hindus. We are unhappy with him for the remarks. I dare him to have a
debate with me on the issue," said Visvesh Theertha Swami of Udipi Pejawar Mutt.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the "Southern Bharat Conference of
Matathipathis, Dharmacharyas and religious scholars" in Chennai to discuss ways to
protect Ram Sethu, he said Karunanidhi had not yet responded to his earlier invitation for a debate.
Prasanna Sura Madhava Theertha of Madhava Theertha Mutt said that as Chief Minister, Karunanidhi had taken the oath under the Constitution and should not
"insult" any religion. "Such actions can not be tolerated. They are representatives of the public and should not vitiate the atmosphere by making such remarks," he
added.
"Those who enjoy power in the name of Mahatma Gandhi have forgotten that Gandhi
himself was a Ram devotee. Now they are questioning the existence of Ram. This is
not proper," he said.
While Karunanidhi has maintained that Ram and Ram Sethu are figments of
imagination, the tourism department beckoned tourists to Rameswaram with an advertisement that "the footprints of Ram and the floating stone 'Sethu Bandanam'
used to build the Sethu are worth seeing," the religious figures said. This showed the duplicity of the Tamil Nadu Government, they alleged.