Save Sri Ram Setu, by Somnath Paramshetti
On the occasion of Ram Navami, would like to flash the light on the Divine RaamSetu which was built by Lord Sree Rama to reach Lanka. Many Hindus start their day with reciting shloka of Ramraksha and pray to Lord Rama. The Ramayana is not only our divine holy scripture but also shows us Dharma and guides us on how we should lead our lives and live with others in the family and society. It is very sad that the current government in India is trying to demolish our cultural heritage and divine symbol Raam Setu, saying that it’s not built by Lord Rama and it is nothing to do with the Ramayana. On the other hand the Sri Lanka government has found evidences of Ramayana in Sri Lanka and is challenging our Indian government.
What is Setu (Sethu) Samudram Project?
The Setu (Sethu) Samudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) is a project that has been approved by the Government of India and its work has been started near Kodand Ram Temple. In this project, Palk Gulf and Gulf Mennar will be linked by making a shipping canal through Rameshwaram Island. This will allow ships and boats to navigate in the passage between India and Sri Lanka without having to circle Sri Lanka (as is being done currently). This may save about 400 nautical miles voyage on the West Coast. This project will connect the National Sea Route. This canal will shorten the length of the sea route for ships. Rs. 21 crore per year for fuel expenditure of ships will be saved.
Danger to Ram Setu (Sethu)
Pictures taken by NASA [National Aeronautics & Space Administration], USA from space show the remains of what appears to be an ages old man-made bridge between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. According to Hindu scriptures and belief, Lord Ram and his vaanar sena had built a bridge from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka about 17 lacs 25 thousands years ago. The discovery of Shri Ram Setu by NASA confirms that Hindu scriptures and belief are correct in this matter and that Ramayana is ‘history’ and not “mythology” as is often construed.
The Setu (Sethu) Samudram [shipping canal project] is based on the notion that it is inevitable to break the Shri Ram Setu for easy navigation. This will amount to damaging a monument of both historical and religious importance to Hindus.
Why Ram Setu (Sethu) should not be damaged
Spiritual Significance
1. This is a divine bridge.
2. Lord Rama and his vaanar sena had built it 17 lacs 25 thousands years ago.
3. In Puranas, the importance of Setu is explained in great details, especially in Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Agni Purana, and Brahma Purana.
Physical Significance
1. Ram Setu (Sethu) a natural barrier to Tsunami: During the last tsunami, the Rama Bridge (at a high elevation) from the rest of the shoal accumulations acted as a natural barrier preventing the direct devastation of the entire Bharatam coastline south and southwest of Nagapattanam. - Dr. Murthy, Chief editor of the reputed International Tsunami Journal “Science of Tsunami Hazards”
2. Ram Setu (Sethu) prevented the tsunami from advancing from Rameshwaram to Kerala.
3. Threat of Tsunami: Many geologists, earth scientists, and oceanographers have commented critically, against the disastrous consequences of constructing SSCP. Amongst these is the impending devastation of Kerala, which will suck in after implementation of SSCP, after next Tsunami hits it.
Read details: Sethusamudram project and impending Tsunami devastation: http://www.hindujagruti.org/news/1623.html
4. Many naval officials are saying that even after the completion of SSCP, the depth of the canal shall be only 12 meters (about 36 feet), and only small and medium sized vessels shall be able to pass. Large sized vessels and carriers shall not be able to pass.
Social Significance
1. The construction of SSCP is trampling upon the feelings and emotions of millions and millions of Hindus.
2. As one of the world’s oldest man-made structures, this bridge is of great significance not only to Hindus, but all of humankind. It is much older than the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China, and represents a great feat for human civilization.
3. Ram Setu has sentimental, religious and historic value.
4. People have crossed the sea using the Rama-Setu, for many thousand years, until the 15th century.
Better alternative solutions are also available!
According to specialists, a sea route may be prepared for navigation without damaging Sri Ram Setu, by removing the barren sand heaps near the village Mandapam between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkoti railway. This will not only provide a shorter route for navigation but also protect the oldest man-made heritage.
Questions to the Government:
1. Why was the route of Metro passing ‘close’ to Qutub Minar in New Delhi abandoned and later reworked, due to fears of prospective damages to this 815-year-old man-made monument?
2. Why was the project of Taj corridor (which would have made lots of money for our money minded government) put off after the hue and cry of environmentalists as the construction near Taj ‘may’ cause harm to this 359-year-old man-made monument. Please note here that these monuments were not going to be destroyed but were merely ‘feared’ to be damaged.
3. Would any government in China even think about destroying or even altering The Great Wall of China (2695 years old) for the sake of any amount of money?
4. Will any one allow the pulling down of the 4507-year-old Great Pyramids of Egypt in lieu of any uncountable amount of money?
If the answer to the last two questions is NO, then why is this 17,25,000 year-old man-made monument being destroyed for the sake of some coins?
Other Noticeable Events
An attempt to offend Hindus
The drill, which is being used to demolish the bridge, is named ‘Jai Hanuman!’ Thus, as declared by the hermitage, this is a direct attempt to humiliate Hindus. Two such machines taken there have broken down. The government should take a lesson or two from this, says the hermitage.
Shankaracharyas Unite to Save Ram Setu
Shankaracharyas of all four peeths decided to unite in a bid to save Lord Rama’s 17 ½ lakh year old bridge. All Shankaracharya hermitages are making efforts to save Lord Rama’s bridge. What are you doing?
What you can do?
• Send Email, Letter, Fax to President of India.
• Spread awareness about this issue among your friends. Tell your friends.
• Sign an online petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/ramsetu/.
• Visit http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/religious/ramsetu/ for more details.
The author, Somnath Paramshetti, is volunteer for Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (www.hindujagruti.org). The aim of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti is to bring awareness on current issues and to unite Hindus around the globe. By profession Somnath is a software engineer and works for ConAgra Foods Omaha, Nebraska.
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September 7th, 2008 19:11
Very interesting site, nice design, greetings
January 26th, 2009 17:52
It’s our birth right to save Sri Rama Sethu, We don’t mind to sacrifice our lives for the sake of our god Sri Rama. The great sages are born in hindu dharma, They are peace loving saints with meditation and daily rituals, But VHP,Bajrang Dal, HJS & Sri Rama sena should exists to protect our culture and our sages.Let them take law in their hands to protect our nation & to-days youth and our age old tradition. In the name of secularism today politicians play a vote bank politics of minority religions.
March 16th, 2009 16:24
“It should be saved.”
September 11th, 2009 04:15
Obviously, the Indian Government is ignoring the sentiments of Hindu majority and pushing for the destruction of Ram Setu. Having lived outside India for the last forty years, I have developed a feeling that majority of the Hindus living in India do not believe in our own heritage, have inferiority complex probably because our history has been distorted by our British masters and American influence. Americans are calling it as Adams Bridge probably based on biblical account of Adam and Eve. We need to have a thorough archeological investigation done on Ram Setu to corroborate the accounts made in our scriptures. I understand that recent developments in archeological circles on existence of Saraswati river are establishing that potentially Aryans originated in India rather than coming from outside and corroborate the accounts in the Vedas. Who knows, we may find the accounts made in Ramayana may also be corroborated by scientific and archeological investigation.
Please keep the push in India and please let me know how can I address my comments to the President and the Prime Minister of India. I will also solicit locals in Toronto, Canada to write to the President and Prime Minister of India.
Thanks
April 3rd, 2010 06:32
ramsetu bridge shoul be save. no digging.
June 30th, 2010 12:03
Jai Sri Ram, ram setu ke darshan matra se purush bhav par ho jata hai ise toda nahi ja sakta hai, prime Minister ji, Vande Matram, “first be Indian, then be Prime Minister”.
December 13th, 2010 09:42
This current govt congress is traitor like their ancestor. This christian converted prime minister Manmohan singh does not know the value of this Ramsetu. People raise your voice and do not support this Congress.
January 17th, 2011 13:50
I completely agree with the aforementioned arguments and points of view. I’ve noticed a trend among the youth nowadays, from what I’ve observed of my friends. Hindus have become too laid back and lackadaisical about their culture and religion. Either it’s ignorance stemming from unconcern, or an ‘I’m-too-cool-for-religion’ stance influenced by philosophers like Schopenhauer. I’ve been there, and done that, which is why I’m aware of these dispositions. We need to realise that Hinduism is under threat, specially from the jihadi and fanatical forces of orthodox Islam. As a vegan animal lover, I especially fear the increasing practice of halal slaughter, as opposed to the jhatka method, and other barbaric Muslim practices, which could jeapordise Hindu interests and beliefs. We need to oppose this trend, take action, and raise our voice, before it’s too late. And eye for an eye. Extremism for extremism. As you all must have noticed, what has often been referred to and condemned as Hindu extremism is more often than not, merely reactionary. Protective and reactive measures against Islamic terror. If the next generation of Hindus doesn’t wake up and realise this potential threat, we could be wiped out off the face of this earth. We’ve tolerated Islamic taunts long enough. They’ve referred to us as pagan idol worshipers. It is high time we show them who’s boss around here. This is our country. It is high time we claim it.
Below is the petition I signed for the preservation of the Ram Setu:
The Ram Setu, by metonymic extension, becomes a bridge connecting me, a devout Hindu, to a world of spirituality. I understand that it’s necessary for our country to build infrastructure, and facilitate development and growth on modern lines. However, it is also crucial to protect the cultural habits, traditional roots and ethical beliefs of our people. Whether Ram existed as merely a mythological figure, or as part of historical reality, is a debate we should leave for later. The significance lies in what Ram stands for. He embodies the Hindu way of life, it’s tenets and it’s philosophy. And any attack against him, through the act of destroying the Setu behind the facade of infrastructural development, shall be seen as a denigration and disrespect of Hinduism. We, as the majority of Indians, comprising the largest portion of Hindustan, shall not stand back and watch you ’secular’ politicians, strive desperately to promote minority (read: vote bank) interests, at the cost of and compromising those of Hindus.
I hope the Congress is receptive to our concerns, grievances and demands. Instead of pseudo-secularism and pacifist politics, our ‘popular’ government should resort to more substantial and constructive measures, for the benefit of the majority (read: Hindus) of our nation.
June 10th, 2011 21:28
Ram setu must be save. This is the proof of hindu religion. Becoz of dis world come to know hinduism is the oldest culture. JAY SHREF RAM.