12 facts about the Rama Sethu row

10 facts about the Ram Setu row 

By Ankit Grover on February 25, 2013 

1. The UPA Government announced the launch of the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SCCP) in 2005 to create a shipping channel between the Palk Bay and the Gulf on Mannar between India and Sri Lanka. 

2. The project would include dredging across the Ram Setu or Adam’s Bridge, believed by Hindus to be a bridge built by Lord Ram to journey to Lanka. This bridge is said to be one of the most important religious sites for Hindus, and plays a significant role in the Ramayana. 

3. The Supreme Court had, in 2007, restrained the UPA Government from going ahead with the project, and suggested that the Government examine an alternative route that does not dredge the Ram Setu. 

4. The shipping channel is proposed to be 30 metres wide, 12 metres deep and 167 kilometres long. 

5. Janata Party President Subramaniam Swamy had called for the Ram Setu to be conferred the status of national monument. Swamy also contended that the demolition of Ram Setu will amount to a criminal offence under section 295 IPC. 

6. The Sethusamudram project drew the ire of Hindus across the country, who see it as a disrespect to Hindu religious beliefs. 

7. Following national outrage over the project, Hindu groups formed the ‘Save Ram Sethu’ campaign in 2007 to create awareness, and to stop the Government from continuing the project. 

8. The Sethusamudram project has also drawn widespread opposition from environmental activists, who argue that it will cause a great deal of damage to local habitation and marine life. 

9. Besides environmental hazards, the SCCP was found to be economically unviable, as suggested by a report prepared by environmentalist RK Pachauri. The recommendation was rejected by the Government. 

10. The BJP has warned the UPA Government against the demolition of Ram Setu, and said that it will not tolerate any tampering with the historical bridge. 

(niticentral)

Two more facts for Rama or Ramasetu:

1. In Malaysia Malaysia gazette notifications refer to seri paduka: http://search.library.wisc.edu/catalog/ocm02242962 Warta kerajaan Seri Paduka Baginda

2. 'Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan' is the official title of the Sultan of Brunei. The present Sultan's official name (with full title) is "Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam". In Malaysia, since 1993, the full title of the President of Malaysian Federation has been, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong (His Conqueror Majesty The Supreme Lord of the Federation). The President of Malaysia (who is elected from among the nine sultans) takes oath of office and secrecy in the name of ‘Seri Paduka Dhuli’. 

Do you know what seri paduka dhuli means and where it comes from? It means: the dust of Rama’s Paduka (or sandals). 

This is a memory recollected from Bharata's coronation of Rama Paduka during Rama's exiled life in the forests. Bharatam janam is the phrase used by Vishwamitra in Rigveda to refer to the people of Bharata. Bharata is the younger brother of Rama in Valmiki Ramayana.