April 30, 2013 Daily Pioneer
SETHU PROJECT HITS TN HURDLE
Tuesday, 30 April 2013 | PNS | New Delhi
The Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project has run into a legal complication with the Tamil Nadu Government questioning how the project could commence without the mandatory clearance being taken from the State Coastal Zone Management Authority.
The project had earlier failed to get clearance from an expert committee, headed by renowned environmental scientist RK Pachauri, which termed it “economically and ecologically unviable”. Rejecting the committee report, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that the project was still on.
In response to the Centre’s stand, the Tamil Nadu Government’s affidavit said, “The Environmental Clearance given for the project earlier by Government of India suffers infirmity.” It pointed out that under the Coastal Regulatory Zone Notification 2011, if any activity is to be undertaken within 12 nautical miles of the coastal zone, the TN Coastal Zone Management Authority’s clearance is mandatory. “The project ought not to have been commenced without the concurrence of the State Government and without any specific management plan to mitigate the adverse impact on fisheries,” it said.
The State sought a direction to the Centre not to take any action to implement the project considering eco-fragility of surrounding area, questionable economic value, and its impact on lakhs of fishermen who have earned a livelihood from this trade for decades together. The Centre has been granted 12 weeks to respond to TN’s charge and the matter has been posted for hearing in August.
The affidavit further revealed that the environmental clearance given by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on March 31, 2005 was based on rapid environment impact assessment carried out by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) which lacked a comprehensive assessment, was prepared prior to Tsunami that hit TN coast on December 26, 2004 and failed to incorporate objections from affected villages.
The project was initially planned along a route cutting through the Rama Sethu or Adam’s Bridge, believed to have been built by Lord Rama. The Court’s intervention forced the Centre to study an alternate route. But the Pachauri Committee struck down both routes due to the ecological impact on the surrounding Gulf of Mannar biosphere as also the economic disadvantage.
The State supported the demand to declare Rama Sethu as a national monument and sought reconsideration of the project keeping in mind the sensitive religious sentiments of the people of the country, besides the economic and ecological viability.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/sethu-project-hits-tn-hurdle.html
SHELVE SETHU PROJECT
Saturday, 13 April 2013 | Rajan Narasimhan | Bangalore
Sir — This refers to the news report, “Sethu project will wipe out coral reef: Zoological Survey” (April 12). The study by the Zoological Survey of India emphatically reinforces the fact that the misconceived project needs to be totally abandoned.
Having dragged its feet on deciding against the project, the Congress-led UPA Government recently made a sudden U-turn before the Supreme Court, evidently to please its sulking ally, the DMK. This political decision should be reversed and the project shelved, as the ‘compelling’ reasons for the Congress to keep the DMK in good humour do not now exist.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/letters-to-the-editor/shelve-sethu-project.html
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Valmiki's knowledge of oceanography and Mannar volcanics
Mannar volcanics is a remarkable evocation of geology of Ramasetu and southern coastline in geological time.
"Mannar sub basin of Cauvery basin is the southern- most of the Mesozoic rift basins existing along eastern continental margin of India and lies between Indian coast and Sri Lanka. The volcanic activities within Turonian sediments so typical of Gulf of Mannar are seen in almost all the drilled wells but have not been reported from any of the other sub basins of Cauvery basin. This is also reported in Pearl-1 well of Mannar sub basin in Sri Lankan offshore. Taking clue from the pattern of reflectors corresponding to intrusions, seismic study has been extended to the deeper part of Gulf of Mannar and also in its western part (towards Comorin ridge side) and observed the spread of this igneous activity which covers quite a large area. Recent dating through 40Ar-39Ar studies carried out on one core sample of drilled well GM-E-A is around 89.1+0.65 Ma (Rathore et al., 2007). This age of the intrusive matches excellently with radiometric age for the Madagascar flood basalt province, the felsic volcanics of St Mary’s Island (SMI), two late Cretaceous mafic dykes around Huliyardurga, Karnataka and two regional dykes from Kerala region of South-western India. Together, therefore, the volcanic activities around these places may be associated with the break up of Greater India (India plus Seychelles) and Madagascar, envisaged to have occurred in Upper Cretaceous.
It is clear that there is a dormant volcano in the region of the Indian Ocean on either side of the Gulf of Mannar (apart from the volcano near Andaman-Nicobar islands). It is possible that Krakatoa volcanic rocks are also churned in by the ocean during recurrent tsunamis and some volcanic rocks rendered as placer deposits on the southern coastline of India and some shores of Sri Lanka.
Together with the clockwise and anti-clockwise ocean currents on both sides of the Gulf of Mannar, a churning of the deep Indian ocean occurs in the region bringing in the placer deposits of Thorium which are derived partly from the Mannar volcanic rock formations.
This scientific fact gets validation from Valmiki's account of the Setusamudram.
Here is a translation in prose of the Valmiki Ramayana Sargas 21 and 22 on the samvaada between Sri Rama and Samudra Raja which is depicted in Raja Ravi Verma's painting:
Rama becoming angry with the ocean, having the outer corners of his eyes turned red, spoke those words to Lakshmana, having auspicious marks, who was in his vicinity: “O, what arrogance of the ocean, who does not appear himself personally before me! Indeed calmness, forbearance kind spoken ness and straight -forwardness- these qualities of noble men give weak results, when directed towards those having no virtues. This world honors that man, who boasts himself, is corrupt and shameless, runs about in all directions advertising himself and commits every kind of excess. In this world, it is not possible to obtain fame, glory or victory at the end of a battle, by conciliation. Behold now this ocean, having its water made suffocated soon with its crocodiles floated on all sides and broken asunder by my arrows. See here, O, Lakshmana, the coils of water snakes, the huge bodies of alligators and the trunks of sea elephants being shattered by me. I will make the ocean with its multitude of conches, oyster shells, fishes and crocodiles, dry up now in this great battle. This ocean is considering me as an incapable man endowed as I am with forbearance. It is a great mistake to show forbearance to such an individual. The Ocean is not appearing himself before me on kind words. O, Lakshmana! Bring the bow and the serpentine arrows. I shall dry up this ocean, so that our monkeys can cross it by feet. Being provoked now, I will shake this ocean, even if it is unshakable. I will force the ocean, which is demarcated by banks and agitated with thousands of waves, bereft of a boundary, by my arrows. I will agitate the great ocean, thronged with great demons."
Speaking as aforesaid, Rama with his eyes made larger by anger and wielding a bow with his hand, became dreadful to look at, as a blazing fire at the end of the world. Swaying his terrific bow and making the earth tremble by his violence Rama released the arrow resembling a powerful thunderbolt of Indra. (god of celestials). Those excellent arrows having a great speed and ablaze by their splendor, penetrated the waters of the ocean, striking the water- snakes with terror. The great jerk of water with fishes and alligators of the ocean, together with the resonance of the wind became very much dreadful. Immediately that great ocean, became shaken by the cluster of huge waves enveloped by a multitude of conches in its rolling waves and a smoke came out. Sea-snakes having brilliant faces and glittering eyes and the very valiant demons residing in nethermost subterranean region of the sea, were perturbed. Thousands of waves, so large resembling Vindhya and Mandhara mountains, jumped up from the sea with its crocodiles and sea monsters. That ocean with its multitude of fluctuating waves, with its frightened serpents and demons, with huge crocodiles coming out, became full of noise.
Then Lakshmana rushed towards Rama who in a terrific velocity was stretching his incomparable bow, with a penetrating sigh, crying: “No further, no farther" and took hold of the bow. Even without the destruction of the ocean, the purpose of you the greatest hero will be fulfilled. Men like you do not fall into the sway of anger. You see some durable and noble alternative.Brahmana-sages and celestial sages, stationed in the interior of the sky cried in a loud voices, saying No farther, no farther and making a noise Ah,Oh,Alas!
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 21
When Rama is about to release a missile presided over by Brahma from his bow, the sea-god appears in person before him with joined palms and advises him to get a bridge constructed by Nala across the ocean. The ocean god disappears after giving this advice to Rama. Nala accordingly constructs a bridge across the sea with the help of other monkeys.
Then, Rama spoke these harsh words to the ocean: “O, ocean! I will make you dry up now along with your nethermost subterranean region. A vast stretch of sand will appear, when your water gets consumed by my arrows; when you get dried up and the creatures inhabiting you get destroyed by me. By a gush of arrows released by my bow, our monkeys can proceed to the other shore even by foot. O, Sea the abode of demons! You are not able to recognize my valor or prowess through your intelligence .You will indeed get repentance at my hands. Fixing an arrow resembling the Rod of Brahma (the creator) charged with a missile (presided over by Brahama) to his excellent bow, the exceedingly powerful Rama stretched it towards the sea. While Rama was stretching that bow, both the heaven and earth suddenly seemed to be split asunder. Mountains also were shaken. Darkness enveloped the world. All the quarters were obscured. Lakes and rivers were soon agitated. The moon sun and the stars moved obliquely and though the sun’s rays lighted the sky, it was enveloped by darkness and shined with a blaze of hundreds of meteors while thunders reverberated with an unparalleled sound in the sky. Series of celestial winds blew in their colossal form and the winds, then sweeping away the clouds, tore up the trees again and again. The wind, shattering the mountain peaks, broke off the points of the rocks. Winds of great velocity struck together in the sky and emitted flashes of radiance proceeding from lightning with a great sound and then there were great thunders. The visible creatures cried out along with the thunders. The invisible beings too gave off a terrific noise. The creatures were overpowered, frightened, agitated, lied down and also very much anguished. They did not move due to fear. The great ocean with its waves and water, along with its living creatures including snakes and demons soon became possessed of a terrific velocity. Due to that speed and swelling of waters, the ocean crossed beyond the other shore to the extent of a Yojana (eight miles). Rama born in Raghu dynasty and the annihilator of enemies, did not retreat before that ocean, which swelled and crossed its limits. Then, Sagara (the ocean god) himself rose from the middle of the ocean as the sun rises at dawn from the huge mountain of Meru. That ocean along with snakes of flaming jaws appeared with a hue of glossy emerald adorned with gold.
The valiant ocean, the lord of rivers, wearing a wreath of pearls, with his eyes resembling lotus leaves, bearing a beautiful garland made of all kinds of flowers on his head, with ornaments of refined gold, adorned with excellent jewels made of pearls from his domain, decorated with different kinds of gems and metals, resembling Himavat mountain, wearing on his broad chest a locket shedding a white luster, resembling a Kaustubha gem (adorning the blossom of Lord Vishnu) and hanging in the middle of a single string of pearls, with a multitude of waves whirled around him, encircled by the clouds and winds, escorted by rivers mainly the Ganga and Sindhu, endowed with diverse forms resembling various deities, approached Rama with joined palms, who stood with arrows in hand, addressing him first as ‘Rama!’ and spoke the following words: “O, beloved Rama! Earth, wind ether, water and light remain fixed in their own nature, resorting to their eternal path. Therefore, I am fathomless and my nature is that it is impossible of being swum across. It becomes unnatural if I am shallow. I am telling you the following device to cross me. Neither from desire nor ambition nor fear nor from affection, I am able to solidify my waters inhabited by alligators. I shall make it possible to see that you are able to cross over. I will arrange a place for the monkeys to cross me and bear with it. As far as the army crosses me, the crocodiles will not be aggressive to them. Then, Rama spoke to that ocean as follows: “Listen to me. This great arrow should not go in vain. In which region should it be descended?"
Hearing Rama’s words and seeing that powerful arrow, the large splendid Ocean spoke the following words to Rama: Towards my northern side, there is a holy place. It is well known as Drumatulya, in the same way as you are well known to this world. Numerous robbers of fearful aspect and deeds, having the sinful Abhiras as their chief, drink my waters there. I am not able to bear that touch of those wicked people, the evil doers, O, Rama! Let this excellent arrow with out vain be released over them there."
Hearing those words of the high-soled Ocean, Rama released that excellent and splendid arrow towards that place as directed by the ocean. The place where the arrow, whose splendor was akin to that of a thunder and a thunder bolt, was descended by Rama- that place is indeed famous as desert of Maru* on this earth.
* Maru—Malwar in Rajastan (India)
The earth there, pierced by the dart, then emitted a sound . The waters of the penultimate subterranean region gushed forth from the mouth of that cleft. Then the hollow became known as Vrana. Water constantly seen, gushing forth from it resembled seawater. A terrific splitting sound was born in that place. Water was dried up in those cavities, as a result of hurling of that arrow by Rama. That desert of Maru became famous in the three worlds. Rama (the son of Dasaratha), a wise man and a valiant man resembling a celestial, made that cavity dried up and gave a boon to that desert of Maru. Due to granting of a boon by Rama, that desert of Maru became the most congenial place for cattle rearing, a place with a little of disease, producing tasty fruits and roots, with a lot of clarified butter, a lot of milk and various kinds of sweet- smelling herbs. Thus it became an auspicious and suitable move, bestowing these merits. While that cavity was burning, Ocean the lord of rivers spoke these words to Rama who knew all scientific treatises.
O, excellent man! This one, named Nala, a glorious person, is the son of Vishvakarma; who was given a boon by his father and is equal to Visvakarma. Let this greatly energetic monkey build a bridge across me. I can hold that bridge. He is just the same as his father."
Thus speaking, the god of Ocean disappeared from that place. Then Nala, the more distinguished among monkeys stood up and spoke the following words to Rama of great power: The great Ocean disclosed a truth. I will construct a bridge across this large Ocean, taking recourse to the skill and ability of my father. This Sagara, the formidable mass of water, in fear of punishment, gave a passage to Rama, wishing to see a bridge constructed on it. On the mountain of Mandara, the following boon was given by Visvakarma to my mother: “O, god like lady! A son equal to me will be born to you. I am a son born of Visvakarma’s own loins. I am equal to Visvakarma. This god of Ocean has reminded me. The great ocean spoke the truth. Being unasked, I have not told you my details earlier. I am capable of constructing a bridge across the ocean. Hence, let the foremost of monkeys build the bridge now itself."
Then, being sent by Rama, hundreds and thousands of monkey heroes jumped in joy on all sides towards the great forest. Those army-chiefs of monkeys, who resembled mountains, broke the rocks and trees there and dragged them away towards the sea. Those monkeys filled the ocean with all types of trees like Sala and Asvakarna, Dhava and bamboo, Kutaja, Arjuna, palmyra,Tilaka, Tinisa, Bilva, Saptaparna, Karnika, in blossom as also mango and Asoka. The excellent monkeys, the forest animals lifted and brought, like Indra’s flag posts, some trees with roots intact and some others without roots. From here and there the monkeys brought Palmyra trees, pomegranate shrubs, coconut and Vibhitaka, Karira, Bakula and neem trees. The huge bodied monkeys with mighty strength uprooted elephant-sized rocks and mountains and transported them by mechanical contrivances. The water, raised up due to sudden throwing of mountains in the sea, soured upward towards the sky and from there again, gushed back. The rocks befalling on all sides perturbed the ocean. Some others drew up strings a hundred Yojanas long (in order to keep the rocks in a straight line.) Nala on his part initiated a monumental bridge in the middle of the ocean. The bridge was built at that time with the cooperation of other monkeys, of terrible doings. Some monkeys were holding poles for measuring the bridge and some others collected the material. Reeds and logs resembling clouds and mountains, brought by hundreds of monkeys, lead by the command of Rama, fastened some parts of the bridge.
Monkeys constructed the bridge with trees having blossom at the end of their boughs. Some monkeys looking like demons seized rocks resembling mountains and peaks of mountains and appeared running hither and thither. Then, a tumultuous sound occurred when the rocks were thrown into the sea and when mountains were caused to fall there. On the first day, fourteen Yojanas of bridge were constructed by the monkeys speedily, thrilled with delight as they were, resembling elephants. In the same manner, on the second day twenty Yojanas of bridge were constructed speedily by the monkeys of terrific bodies and of mighty strength.
Thus, on the third day twenty-one Yojanas of the bridge were constructed in the ocean speedily by the monkeys with their colossal bodies. On the forth day, a further of twenty-two Yojanas were constructed by the dashing monkeys with a great speed. In that manner, on the fifth day, the monkeys working quickly constructed twenty-three yojanas of the bridge up to the other seashore. That Nala, the strong and illustrious son of Visvakarma and an excellent monkey built the bridge across the sea as truly as his father would have built it. That beautiful and lovely bridge constructed by Nala across the ocean the abode of alligators, shone brightly like a milky way of stars in the sky. With a desire to behold that marvel, celestials along with Gandharvas, the heavenly musicians, Siddhas (semi-divine beings of great purity and perfection, possessing super natural qualities) and great sages came then and stood up in the sky. The celestials and Gandharvas, the heavenly musicians saw Nala’s bridge, having a width of ten yojanas and a length of hundred yojanas and which was very difficult to be built. The monkeys taking long leaps and short leaps shouted in joy. All other beings saw that construction of the bridge across the ocean as unimaginable, impossible and wonderful, causing their hair to stand on end in amazement. Those thousand crores of monkeys in a great spectacle reached the other shore of the great ocean soon after building that bridge across the sea. That colossal bridge, which was broad, well-constructed, glorious, well postured and held together firmly, looked beautiful like a separating straight line in the ocean. Vibhishana, wielding a mace in his hand, stood up on the seashore along with his ministers, for the purpose of invading the enemies.
Thereafter, Sugriva on his part spoke to Rama, the truly brave man as follows: “O, valiant man! This ocean, the abode of alligators, is indeed vast. You ascend the shoulder of Hanuman and let Lakshmana ascend the shoulder of Angada. These monkeys can hold both of you while flying in the sky.�
Rama the glorious and righteous man, wielding a bow along with Lakshmana together with Sugriva, went in front of that army. Some monkeys went along the middle of the bridge. Some others went along the sides. Some others were jumping into water. Some others marched forward on the path. Some monkeys entered the sky and aviated like Garuda the eagle. The highly terrific sound of the ocean was covered up by the great sounds of the terrific monkeys who were crossing the sea. That army of monkeys, which crossed the ocean by the bridge constructed by Nala, was encamped by Sugriva at a shore having many fruits tubers and water. Seeing that Rama’s accomplishment, which was amazing and arduous; celestials, Siddhas (semi-divine beings possessing supernatural faculties) and Charanas (celestial bards) along with great sages, forthwith approached Rama and consecrated him with very splendid waters separately. The celestials, Siddhas and others exalted Rama, who was duly respected by kings with their auspicious -words as follows: “ O, king! Defeat the enemies. Rule the earth and ocean eternally for years.�
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose
Sarga 22
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/yuddha/sarga22/yuddha_22_prose.htm
http://hinduyouthcouncil.blogspot.in/2012/11/valmikis-knowledge-of-oceanography-and.html