Now, it is Kanimozhi’s turn to dream Setu channel

Now, it is Kanimozhi’s turn to dream Setu channel

The sentimental journey of rationalists continues, without deliberating on the issues flagged in the Supreme Court.

It is surprising that there is no reference by the rationalists, to the ongoing study announced by Tuticorin Port Trust Dy. Chairman, A. Subbiah, for an alternative freight corridor from Tuticorin to Erode-Nagpur, instead of the project disaster called Setu channel.

When in 1838 the British regime tried dredging and gave up the idea of a Setu channel, they chose the alternative of a railway link between Kolkata to Mumbai to transport and shipe the mineral ores from Mumbai port.

kalyanaraman

Kanimozhi bats for Karunanidhi on Sethu project

Cuddalore (PTI) (The Hindu, 15 June 2008): Taking the centrestage at the first DMK women's conference here, Kanimozhi, daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, on Sunday defended his offer to rename the stalled Sethusamudram project as 'Sethuram', saying the move was aimed at implementing his dream project.
In a veiled response to DMDK founder and actor-turned politician Vijaykant who had recently raised doubts about the DMK patriarch's atheist credentials in view of his offer to rename the project 'Sethuram', she said Karunanidhi only wanted the project for the development of the state and therefore even was ready to rename it.
"Karunanidhi is only concerned about the development of Tamil Nadu. The new party's chief should realise the history of Karunanidhi and his services to the people of the state before criticising him," she said without naming the leader.

Recalling remarks by rationalist leader and Dravidar Kazhagam founder E V R Periyar, Kanimozhi, at the forefront of organising the conference, said one can even smear ash on the forehaad for the benefit of society, though it was against Dravidian principles.

Karunanidhi, reacting to the opposition to the dredging of the Ramsethu, a mythical bridge believed to have been built by Lord Ram, had remarked whether Ram was an engineer.

But in his recent birthday message, he appealed to the opponents of the project, saying he was even ready to rename it as Sethuram, but only wanted its implementation.
Hindu outfits like the VHP and RSS, political parties BJP and AIADMK and Janata Party are opposed to dredging of Ramsethu.

The Supreme Court had asked the Centre to consider the possibilities of an alternate route for the implementation of the SSCP.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200806151653.htm