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Admin · Guru

Rama Setu, national monument : SC asks Govt. to inform Court

Admin · Guru

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/can-rama-sethu-be-declared-national-monument-sc-asks-centre/929053/

Ram Sethu: SC asks govt to give report to Swamy

CNN-IBN | 27-Mar 15:08 PM

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the government to supply a copy of the Pachauri Committee report on alternative shipping channel in the Ram Sethu case to petitioner Subramanian Swamy.

The apex court also directed the government to inform the court on giving national monument status to Ram Sethu by March 29.

The government, however, said that the decision on whether to give Ram Sethu a national monument status could only be decided by the Cabinet Secretary.

The apex court, on January 5, had directed the Centre to place before it the PM-appointed expert panel report on the feasibility of building an alternative shipping channel through Dhanuskodi instead of Ram Sethu around the country's southern tip.

The project was flagged off in 2005 but later met opposition following a decision to dredge 'Ramasethu', believed to have been constructed by Lord Ram to cross to Sri Lanka.

http://m.ibnlive.com/news/ram-sethu-sc-asks-govt-to-give-report-to-swamy/243214-37.html

Ram Sethu a national monument? SC asks Centre
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 15:42

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to make its stand clear on whether Ram Sethu could be declared a national monument.

While accepting the government plea for more time to make its stand clear on the matter, the apex court told the Centre that it had six weeks to place before it RK Pachauri's report on the Sethusamudram project.

The SC had first directed the Centre in January to place before it the report of the Prime Minister-appointed expert panel on the feasibility of building an alternative shipping channel through Dhanuskodi instead of Ram Sethu around the country's southern tip.

The six-member panel headed by Pachauri was set up in July 2008 by the PM to find a solution to the controversy over the Rs 2,240 crore Sethu Samudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP).

SSCP proposes linking Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka by creating a shipping channel through the shallow sea and a chain of islands known as 'Ram Sethu' and Adam's Bridge.

The project was flagged off in 2005 but later met opposition following a decision to dredge 'Ram Sethu', believed to have been constructed by Lord Ram to cross to Sri Lanka.

A number of petitions, some of them transferred from Madras High Court to the apex court, have objected to the project on the ground of environmental concerns.

On April 21, 2010, the Supreme Court had put a virtual stop to SSCP, saying it would await a "full and comprehensive" Environmental Impact Analysis on feasibility of an alternative route through Dhanuskodi instead of Ram Sethu.

Admin · Guru

(With PTI inputs)
http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/ram-sethu-a-national-monument-sc-asks-centre_766457.html

Published: February 13, 2012 02:32 IST | Updated: February 13, 2012 02:32 IST

Shipping Secretary carries out survey at Sethu project site

Special Correspondent
Operation focussed on the proposed new alignment, say sources

Even as an expert committee lead by R.K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, constituted by the Centre based on the direction from the Supreme Court to find an alternative alignment for the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project is about to submit its final report, K. Mohandas, Secretary, Shipping, carried out intensive survey at the project site in Palk Bay and Palk Strait on Sunday.

The top Shipping Ministry official's visit assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court direction asking the Centre to complete the Environment Impact Analysis on an alternative alignment for the SSCP without cutting across Adam's Bridge or ‘Rama Sethu', and submit its final report by March 27.

A hovercraft of the Coast Guard was used to inspect the project site.

The official spent considerable time in the territory, comprising the first to fourth islets between Danushkodi and the International Maritime Boundary Line, and held discussions with SSCP officials.

The focus of the visit, according to sources, was on the proposed new alignment that is to cut through the land partly between Danushkodi and Arichamunai instead of the earlier alignment.

Mr. Mohandas also discussed the Executive Summary of the report submitted by the expert committee to the Centre.

A. Subbaiah, Chairman of the V.O. Chidambaram Port Trust, Tuticorin, told The Hindu that the Shipping Secretary visited the Sethu project site, but no significance could be attached to it. The expert committee would submit its EIA report to the Centre and then to the Supreme Court.

The project was flagged off in 2005 but ran into opposition following a decision to dredge the Adam's Bridge area, which is also known as Ram Sethu, a bridge believed to have been constructed by Lord Rama to cross over to Sri Lanka.

It had proposed to link Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar by creating a shipping channel through the shallow sea and a chain of islands known as ‘Ram Sethu or Adam's Bridge. The project at an estimated cost of Rs.2500 crore was suspended in the Ram Sethu area following the intervention of the Supreme Court, which asked the Centre to study the Environmental Impact Analysis on feasibility of an alternative route through Dhanushkodi instead of Ram Sethu.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2886461.ece

Admin · Guru

ஹுஸைனி புலிகள் என்ற முஸ்லீம் இளைஞர் குழு ரூ.15 லட்சம் ராமர் கோவில் கட்ட கொடுக்க முன்வந்துள்ளது!

அக்டோபர் 3, 2010

ஹுஸைனி புலிகள் என்ற முஸ்லீம் இளைஞர் குழு ரூ.15 லட்சம் ராமர் கோவில் கட்ட கொடுக்க முன்வந்துள்ளது!

உத்திர பிரதேசத்தில் பிரபலமான ஹுஸைனி புலிகள் என்ற முஸ்லீம் இளைஞர் குழு ரூ.25 ராமர் கோவில் கட்ட கொடுக்க முன்வந்துள்ளது. ஷியா பிரிவைச் சேர்ந்த இந்த முஸ்லீம்கள், மற்றவர்கள் உச்சநீதி மன்றத்திற்கு மேல் முறையீடு செல்லவேண்டாம் என்றும் வேண்டுகோள் விடுத்துள்ளது.

மௌலானா கல்பே சாதிக் என்ற முஸ்லீம் மதத்தலைவரின் உறவினரான, ஷம்ஸில் ஷம்ஸி என்பவர் ஹுஸைனி புலிகள் இயக்கர்த்தின் தலைவர். அகில இந்திய முஸ்லீம் சட்டப்பரிவினர் போர்ட் (AIMPLB) என்ற அமைப்பையும், உச்சநீதி மன்றத்திற்கு மேல் முறையீடு செல்லவேண்டாம் என்றும் வேண்டுகோள் விடுத்துள்ளது. இந்துக்கள்-முஸ்லீம்கள் கூடி பேசி, ஒரு சமரசத்திற்குய் வரலாம் என்று சொல்கிறார்.

மௌலானா கல்பே சாதிக் அவஎர்களின் மகன் மௌலானா கல்பே ஜவ்வாத் என்பவர், உயர்நீதி மன்றத் தீர்ப்பிற்கு முன்பே அத்தகைய சமரச் தீர்விற்கு வரலாம் என்று சொல்லியிருந்தார். மேலும் அந்த அகில இந்திய முஸ்லீம் சட்டப்பரிவினர் போர்டின் உப தலைவராகவும் உள்ளார். இந்துக்களும், முஸ்லீம்களுக்குக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள இடத்தில் ஒரு மசூதி கட்டிக்கொள்ள உதவ வேண்டும். அவ்வாறு செய்தால், மதநல்லுறவோடு நல்ல உறவு ஏற்படும் என்கிறார்.

முஸ்லீம்கள்-15 லட்சம் கொடுத்தனர்-ராமர் கோவிலுக்கு

Admin · Guru

Rama setu: Protecting heritage and coastline (A ppt presentation, Kalyanaraman, 31 March 2012)

March 31, 2012

•Declare
•Rameshwaram sacred island, Gulf of Mannar Marine Bioreserve
Ramasetu as protected national monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958

Protect the world's richest thorium reserve.

Kamini reactor in Kalpakkam uses thorium blanket in dual use, fast-breeder reactor
Thorium is the future nuclear fuel for India’s power generation program and nuclear weapons for national defence
Manavalakuricci, Aluva, Chavara hold the world’s largest reserve of thorium sands. This is nation’s wealth. National security demands safeguarding of this wealth.
Declare the sites as national protected areas under Armed Foces’ control

http://www.scribd.com/srini_kalyanaraman/d/87412293-Ramasetu-Protecting-heritage-and-coastline-A-ppt-presentation-Kalyanraman-31-March-2012

Ramasetu: Protecting heritage and coastline (A ppt presentation, Kalyanraman 31 March 2012)

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/117592543/ramasetu31March2012

ramasetu31March2012

Admin · Guru

Rama Setu, nearer to reality: Moily

By Cithara Paul
31 Mar 2012 02:28:28 AM IST

Rama Sethu, nearer to reality: Moily

NEW DELHI: The Government may still be wavering on whether Rama Sethu was a myth or not, but Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily seems to entertain no such doubts.

“Ram Sethu is a scientific possibility. After reading my book you will find that Ram Sethu is nearer to reality,’’ he said while speaking about the forthcoming release of the Tamil translation of his book “Shree Ramayana Mahanweshanam.” It may be a coincidence that the Supreme Court had given a deadline to the UPA Government to make its stand clear on Ram Sethu three days ago.

Moily spent “a whole week” on the sea with a geo-scientist researching the topic. “Rama Sethu bridged cultures,” he said.

http://expressbuzz.com/nation/rama-sethu-nearer-to-reality-moily/377659.html

Admin · Guru

Utsavam hailing the victory of Rama. GOI, declare Rameshwaram as sacred island, Ramasetu and Gulf of Mannar as National Monuments, World Heritage.

Published: April 12, 2012 15:34 IST | Updated: April 12, 2012 15:34 IST

Utsavam hailing the victory of Rama

S. Prabhu

CELEBRATION: Theerthavari festival at the Sethu river, Ramanathapuram. Photo: S. Prabhu

In memory of Rama’s march to Lanka to defeat Ravana and his triumph in the battle, the Theerthavari Utsavam was celebrated with great fanfare at Thirupullani divyadesam.

Ahead of his march to Lanka, it was here at the Thirupullani temple (about 10 kms south of Ramanathapuram) that Rama invoked the blessings of Lord Adhi Jagannatha, the moolavar deity at this divyadesam, seeking victory in his battle against Ravana.

In memory of Lord Rama's onward march to Lanka that was planned from the Sethu sea shore and in celebration of his subsequent victory over the Lankan King Ravana, Kalyana Jagannatha Perumal, the utsava deity and Pattabhisheka Ramar of Thirupullani divyadesam made a once in a year trip to the Sethu sea shore this past Friday for the theerthavari utsavam.

The utsavam began at 7 a.m. with both the deities being adorned with special alankaram for the day-long procession to the southern sea shore.

Starting at 10.30 a.m. from the Thirupullani temple, on two separate palanquins, Lord Jagannatha and Pattabhisheka Ramar were taken out in a procession through the streets of Thirupullani before reaching the sea shore for the theerthavari utsavam.

At the Hanuman temple, on the banks of the River Sethu, special tirumanjanam was performed for Lord Jagannatha and Pattabhisheka Ramar and a special abishekam for Hanuman in recognition to his efforts in locating Sita and informing Rama about it.

The deities, after providing darshan returned to Thirupullani in the evening.

Sacred place

It was here that Vibheeshana, the brother of Ravana, took refuge and surrendered to Lord Rama. While the entire ‘Vaanara' army looked at Vibheeshana with suspicion, it was Hanuman who expressed that the Lord should accept Vibheeshana. Rama preached the doctrine of ‘surrender' that is applicable even today.

This event of ‘Surrender to the Lord' is just as important as the Bhagavad Gita (Mahabharata). The doctrine that Lord accepts all who, in absolute surrender, seek shelter at his feet is an important message of hope to erring humanity.

Out of all the divyadesams, Thirupullani is said to be the most sacred for those devotees who want ‘absolute surrender to Lord.' Hanuman is seen in a posture indicating Vibheeshana's surrender to Rama.

Darbha Sayana Rama

Having accepted Vibheeshana, Lord Rama along with the Vanara (monkey) army deliberated ways to cross the sea and orchestrated the plan to Lanka to defeat Ravana. Spreading Darbha grass (sacred grass used for religious rites) on the banks of River Sethu, Rama undertook a fast addressing Varuna (Sea Lord) for a solution to cross the sea. In return, Varuna asked Rama to build a bridge across the sea with boulders and trees and also promised him to show the best route to build the bridge. As Rama undertook a fast lying on the Darbha grass, He is seen in a Darbha Sayana posture.

Thondaradipodi Azhwar in his Thiru Maalai verse refers to the significant contribution of the squirrels that helped Lord Rama in the construction of the Sethu bridge ‘Kurangugal Malaiyai Nookkak Kulithuth Thaam Purandittu Odith Tharanga Neer Adaikkal Utra Salam Ilaa Anilum Polen…'

King Dasaratha performed a yagna here and was then blessed with his four children. It is believed that childless couple who offer their worship after taking bath in the River Sethu River will be blessed with a child.

How to reach: Direct trains to Ramanathapuram are available from Chennai and Madurai. Auto from Ramnad Railway Station will cost around Rs. 150 for a one way drop to Thirupullani. Buses from Ramnad bus stand to Thirupullani are available every 30 minutes..

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Lord Adhi Jagannatha.

Goddess: Kalyanavalli, Padmasini Thayar.

Temple time: 8 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Contact: Ranganatha Bhattar (Ph: 99428 89763)

Special features

Rama invoked the blessings of Lord Adhi Jagannatha at Thirupullani before his march to Lanka.

Thondaradi Podi Azhwar mentions the contributions of the squirrels in his Thiru Maalai verse.

Rama is seen in a reclining posture at this temple.

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/religion/article3306952.ece

Admin · Guru

Rama Setu, national monument status: Centre refuses to take stand, asks SC to decide

Centre refuses to take stand on Ram Setu, asks SC to decide
19 Apr 2012, 1822 hrs IST, AGENCIES
The Centre today refused to take any stand on the issue of declaring mythological Ram Setu a national monument and asked the Supreme Court instead to decide it. Appearing before a bench headed by justices H L Dattu and Anil R Dave, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Haren Raval submitted that the government after consultations on the issue has decided that it would not take any stand on it.

He said the government would stand by its earlier affidavit, filed in 2008, in which it had said that the government respects all religions but it was of view that it should not be called upon to respond to the issues of faith, except in recognising their existence. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy seeking the court's direction to declare Ram Setu a national monument.

The apex court earlier on March 29 had granted two weeks to the Centre to take a stand on the issue. "If you say you don't want to file counter affidavit, we can go ahead with the arguments in the case," the bench had said. The case relating to Ram Setu came under judicial scrutiny due to a bunch of petitions filed in the apex court against the ambitious Sethusamudram project, whose execution allegedly was to damage the mythological bridge.

Sethusamudram project is aimed at constructing a shorter navigational route around India's southern tip by breaching the mythological Ram Setu, said to have been built by Lord Rama's army of monkeys and bears to the demon king Ravana's kingdom Lanka. As per the Sethusamudram project, the shipping channel is proposed to be 30 metres wide, 12 metres deep and 167 kms long.

The Centre in its earlier affidavit, cleared by the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had said the government respects all religions but was of view that it "should not be called upon to respond to the issues of faith, except in recognising their existence."

The amended affidavit was filed after the Centre had withdrawn its two affidavits in which it had questioned the existence of Lord Ram and "Ram Setu". Following an outcry led by the Sangh Parivar over the controversial affidavit, the apex court on September 14, 2007 had allowed the Centre re-examine entire materials afresh to review the Rs 2,087 crore project.

http://www.timesnow.tv/Centre-refuses-to-take-stand-on-Ram-Setu-asks-SC-to-decide/articleshow/4400405.cms
Published: April 19, 2012 18:55 IST | Updated: April 19, 2012 18:55 IST

Ram Setu: Centre sticks to its earlier stand

PTI

The Centre on Thursday refused to take any stand on the issue of declaring Ram Setu a national monument and asked the Supreme Court instead to decide it.

Appearing before a bench headed by justices H L Dattu and Anil R Dave, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Haren Raval submitted that the government after consultations on the issue has decided that it would not take any stand on it.

He said the government would stand by its earlier affidavit, filed in 2008, in which it had said that the government respects all religions but it was of view that it should not be called upon to respond to the issues of faith, except in recognising their existence.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy seeking the court’s direction to declare Ram Setu a national monument.

The apex court earlier on March 29 had granted two weeks to the Centre to take a stand on the issue.

“If you say you don’t want to file counter affidavit, we can go ahead with the arguments in the case,” the bench had said.

The case relating to Ram Setu came under judicial scrutiny due to a bunch of petitions filed in the apex court against the ambitious Sethusamudram project, whose execution allegedly was to damage the mythological bridge.

Sethusamudram project is aimed at constructing a shorter navigational route around India’s southern tip by breaching the Ram Setu, said to have been built by Lord Rama’s army of monkeys and bears to the demon king Ravana’s kingdom Lanka.

As per the Sethusamudram project, the shipping channel is proposed to be 30 metres wide, 12 metres deep and 167 km long.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3332435.ece

Admin · Guru

sethu 20_04_2012_002_013

Admin · Guru

New alignment of Sethusamudram not feasible, Supreme Court told. PM, Ramasethu should be declared national monument

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/review-committee-rejects-new-alignment-of-sethusamudram/1/203393.html

Alternative route for Sethu project not feasible: Report
STAFF WRITER 16:48 HRS IST

New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) A high-level committee has suggested that an alternative route, other than cutting through the mythological Ram Sethu, for the controversial Sethusamudram project is not economically and ecologically feasible, government today told the Supreme Court.

Placing the committee's 37-page report before a bench of justices H L Dattu and C K Prasad, Solicitor General Rohinton Nariman submitted that the Union Cabinet was yet to consider and take a decision on it.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/2754859_Alternative-route-for-Sethu-project-not-feasible--Report

New alignment of Sethusamudram not feasible, Supreme Court told

IANS | Jul 2, 2012, 02.56PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday was told that an alternate alignment for building Sethusamudram channel in the Palk Strait to facilitate navigation between India and Sri Lanka, while saving the mythical Ram Sethu, was "neither ecologically nor economically" feasible.

An apex court bench of Justice HL Dattu and Justice CK Prasad was told this in a report submitted by the committee headed by environmental expert Dr Rajender Pachauri.

Dr Pachauri gave his report after the apex court asked him to look into the possibility of an alternate alignment for Sethusamudram channel bypassing and saving the mythical Ram Sethu.

The report said that the alternate alignment "could potentially result in ecological threat that could pose a risk to the ecosystem in the surrounding areas and in particular to the biosphere reserve".

The court granted the government eight weeks to respond to the report after solicitor general Rohington Nariman told the court that the government was yet to take a view on the report and needed some time.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-alignment-of-Sethusamudram-not-feasible-Supreme-Court-told/articleshow/14599199.cms

Admin · Guru

Ramasetu case in SC. Next hearing 23 Aug. 2012: Dr. Swamy

New Delhi, July 02 (ANI): Janata party Chief and petitioner Subramanian Swamy today raised objection to the proposed Sethusamudram project cutting through the mythological bridge Ram Setu. Swamy also added that the court had given the central government eight weeks to review it about the future development of the project. Earlier today the central government told the Supreme Court that a high-level Pachouri committee report had suggested that an alternative route for Sethusamudram project was not ecologically and economically feasible.
http://www.indiablooms.com/VideoDetails/2012/videoDetails020712u1.php (Video)