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To Hon'ble President of India, Respected Sir(s), Subject: Request to reconsider the Setu Samudran Project and give Shri Ram Setu a National Monument status Setu Samudran [Shipping canal project] has been approved by the Government of India. In this project Palk Gulf and Gulf Mennar will be linked by making a shipping canal through Rameshwaram Island. This project is based on the notion that it is inevitable to break Shri Ram Setu a bridge built by Shri Ram and his Vaanar Sena from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka 17 Lacs 25 thousands years ago, for easy navigation. This will amount to damaging a monument of both, historical and religious importance. The Supreme Court directed the government to inform the court on giving national monument status to Shri Ram Sethu by March 29 after hearing the petition filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy seeking the court's direction to declare Shri Ram Setu a National monument. The government, however, said that the decision on whether to give Ram Setu a national monument status could only be decided by the Cabinet Secretary. Now, the Supreme Court has granted more time till its next hearing on April 19 to the Center for deciding whether the mythological Ram Setu could be declared a National monument. When the government can give National monument status to few-centuries old Muslim structures like Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal immediately, then why does government need to 'decide' whether to give national monument status to 17-lakh year old Shri Ram Sethu ? Also, according to the specialists, a sea route may be prepared for navigation without damaging Shri Ram Setu, by removing the barren sand heaps near village Mandapam between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkoti railway. This will not only give a shorter route for navigation but also protect the oldest man-made heritage. The president of Bharat is requested to order the reconsideration of the project and give Shri Ram Sethu a National Monument status keeping in view the historical and religious importance of Shri Ram Setu, the sentiments of the people and the alternative method suggested for a shorter sea route. Reference: http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/religious/ramsetu/ Your faithfully, Your name will appear here CC : 1. Union Minister of Shipping |