Why Setu Samudram Canal Project is not viable - my interview to Dinamalar

 On 12-01-2023, the DMK Government moved a resolution to revive the Setu Samudram Canal Project (see the report below). Following this I was invited by the Dinamalar Video Channel to express my views on the feasibility of the project. In my interview to Ms. Shyamala of Dinamalar, I shared my views on

# the historicity of the site

# non-feasibility of the canal project from different perspectives, including those of the fishermen

# 'Setu Sentiment' and many more.

From

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mk-stalin-resolution-reviving-sethu-samudhra-canal-project-tamil-nadu-ram-setu-2320503-2023-01-12

MK Stalin moves resolution for reviving Sethu Samudhra Canal project, to seek Centre's support

 By  Pramod Madhav

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday moved a resolution to revive the Sethu Samudhra Canal project and will seek the Centre's support in implementing the project. The Sethu Samudhra Canal project is seen as an ambitious project by the ruling DMK government as it would create a shipping route between India and Sri Lanka. The ambitious project proposes to link the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka by creating a shipping canal. The resolution was passed unanimously.

"Due to political reasons, BJP opposed Sethusamudram Project. Former CM of TN, Jayalalitha was in favour of this project but suddenly changed her stand & filed a case against it," the CM said while moving the resolution.

But the project has faced stiff opposition from pro-Hindu groups fearing that it may damage Ram Setu bridge, which connects Rameswaram to the Mannar island of Sri Lanka.

M K Stalin batted for reviving the project for economic prosperity of the nation and enhancing the freight handling capacity of Indian ports.

The project, which was started on July 2, 2005 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore, came to a standstill after protests by environmentalists and Hindu activists against the demolition of the Ram Setu, a symbol of heritage. The DMK had, in the run-up to the 2021 Assembly election, promised to complete the project when it comes to power to bring economic benefits to the state

 ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Sethu Samudhra Canal project is essential to strengthen the economic development of Tamil Nadu and India. The project was originally conceived in the year 1860 by Commander Taylor at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. The project had been studied for years and was designed by various technical experts like Dr Ramasamy Mudaliar from Tamil Nadu in the year 1954.

During the Union Cabinet meeting held during 1964 and the high level committee under the chairmanship of Dr Nagendra Singh, ICS in 1964. Various alignments were evaluated and project reports were prepared to implement the scheme without being detrimental to the environment.

During the regime of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had given permission to conduct the feasibility study of the project. The project was sanctioned in 2004 when the UPA government was in power.

Controversy over 'Tamizhagam vs Tamilnadu' - My interview to Dinamalar

Recently the Tamilnadu Governor expressed his view that "Thamizhagam" is more apt than "Tamilnadu" which was met with a strong reaction from the DMK. In this interview to Dinamalar, I have focused on why the Governor had said so, analyzing the issue from his angle. In that context I also spoke about Dravida and the deliberate planting of Brahmin hatred by the colonial British which was followed by the DMK.

 

Hinduness of Thiruvalluvar - My talk in 'Pesu Tamizha Pesu' channel

 In my recent interview to Pesu Tamizha Pesu Tamil Channel, I focused on issues such as

# Was Thiruvalluvar a Christian or a Jain or a Buddhist or a Hindu?

# What is being a Hindu?

# Which God was worshiped by Thiruvalluvar?

Who is a Dravida? - My talk in 'Pesu Tamizha Pesu' channel

 Watch my interview to Pesu Tamizha Pesu Tamil Channel on Aryan vs Dravidian issue. 

I addressed other issues such as

# Are Tamils Dravidians?

# Is there a land called Dravida?

# Is there a language called Dravida? 

# Why did Adi Shankara call himself as "Dravida Shishu"?

# Who was the first Dravida King?

My talk in 'Pesu Tamizha Pesu' channel busting the propaganda that Ramayana is a myth

Started the year 2023 with a 4 part video talk in the popular Tamil You Tube channel, Pesu Tamizha Pesu, on the topic of Ramayana. The main focus was to dismantle the propaganda going on in Tamilnadu that Ramayana is a myth. I establish the date of Rama using many primary evidences including the analysis of the date of Ram Setu.

There is another sizeable section in Tamilnadu which accepts the historicity of Ramayana but claim that Ravana was superior to Rama, eulogizing him as a hero. Yet another narrative projects Rama- Ravana war as a war between Saivism and Vaishnavism. The most important objection comes in the form of raising the untenability of a race called Vanaras.

I have addressed all these and many other questions in 4 videos.

Part 1:  ராமர் பாலம் உண்மையாகவே கட்டப்பட்டதா? | ஆதாரங்களை அடுக்கிய ஆய்வாளர் Dr Jayasree Saranathan

Part 2: சைவமும் வைணவமும் ஒன்றா ?

Part 3: ராவணன் தமிழனா ?

Part 4: பிள்ளையார் பார்வதியின் மகனில்லை !