Dear brothers and sisters,
For how many years Tamils dreamt of Sethusamudram project? It was the dream of Tamil people for 150 years. Arignar Anna observed ‘Uprising Day’ for the project even when he was in power. Not only the DMK, people would not have forgotten that even the ADMK demanded the project in its election manifestoes of 2001 and 2004. They said they would press for and obtain the project from the government to be formed at the Centre. Now they themselves have filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on 29.4.2013 that the project is not required.
Why? Even when MGR was the Chief Minster, a resolution was adopted in the Assembly on 10.5.1986 demanding the project.
Now I can only visualise the scene of Sethusamudram project inauguration function at Madurai on 2 July 2005 when the temple city was flooded with people from all over southern districts. The Then Union Minister for Shipping T.R.Baalu presided over the function Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the works of the Project in the presence of me and Tmt. Sonia Gandhi. The then Governor of TN Surjit Singh Barnala participated as special guest and only representative of the state government. The then Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Dhayanidhi Maran, A. Raja, Anbumani Ramadoss, Mani Sankar Iyer and K.H.Muniyappa and leaders of political parties in TN the then President of TNCC G.K.Vasan, MP, Dr. Ramadoss, Vaiko, N. Varadharajan, D.Pandian and K.M. Khader Moideen MP also participated in the function and spoke.
It is my duty now to recall the speeches delivered by them in that function.
In his speech Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Sethusamudram project was one of the most ambitious projects to be conceived in the Indian port sector. It will reduce the travel time between the east and the west coasts of India and will particularly benefit small fishermen.
“I am certain the people of this region will, in a few years, see their lives transformed for the better by this project,” he said. Dr Singh, however, urged project authorities to be mindful and respectful of nature and the maritime environment of the channel. “I am sure they will certainly do. We will make all efforts to preserve our natural heritage while implementing this project so that everyone’s livelihood is protected. We will also protect the livelihood of fishermen,” Dr Singh said.
In the 10th Five Year Plan, the Centre has set new and higher targets for improving the country’s ports. “We want to encourage new investment in port development through a partnership between the public and private sectors. We welcome all forms of investment, public and private, in our ports. Over the next few years, we expect to see a major transformation of all our ports, large and small, for shipping or fishing,” he said.
Now ships from the east to the west coast and vice-versa sail around Sri Lanka as there is a submerged reef - Adam’s Bridge - near Rameswaram between the south-eastern coast of India and Thalaimanar in Sri Lanka. However, the channel will save a distance of up to 424 nautical miles (about 785 km) and 30 hours of sailing time. The Centre estimates foreign exchange savings of up to Rs 215 crore in the first year of operation (2008-09).
It is estimated to cost Rs 2,427.40 crore, consisting of a capital cost of Rs 2,233 crore and a financing cost of Rs 194.40 crore. Of this, Rs 971 crore will be equity whereas Rs 1,456 crore will be debt portion. The Government of India’s contribution in the equity will be Rs 495 crore, whereas Port Trusts of Tuticorin, Chennai, Ennore, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Shipping Corporation of India and Dredging Corporation of India.
“A dream formed 150 years back has now become a reality. I congratulate our respected leaders Kalaignar and Sonia Gandhi for realising this dream. Speaking earlier Kalaignar Karunanidhi wanted a world standard motor vehicle testing centre in Chennai. I am very happy to announce here that we have decided to establish a motor vehicle testing centre in international standards at Oragadam near Chennai”, the Prime Minister said.
In her speech Tmt. Sonia Gandhi said “A 150 year old dream is becoming a reality today. Although the Sethusamudram project was spoken all these years, nothing was done to implement it. Today, the UPA government has firmly taken step to realise this technically challenging project having economic importance. As this great project is establishing a continuous sea route within Indian waters this has great importance at the national and regional levels and for the defence of the nation. Tamil Nadu, particularly southern district will be greatly benefited by this project and the economy and sea trade of Tamil Nadu will greatly improve”.
Union Minister P. Chidambaram said, “The UPA government took charge on May 22, 2004 and within six weeks the Prime Minister and the Cabinet approved this project and in the very first budget on July 8, 2004 the Centre announced that this project would be implemented. It is not even one year since the announcement we lay foundation stone for this great project on July 2, 2005. This project will be implemented at a cost of Rs.2,427 crore. The Centre has given security for the loan to be taken for this project. Hence this project will be completed within the stipulated time and expenditure”.
MDMK General Secretary Vaiko in his speech said, “it is most fitting that this festival is being conducted in the same month of July when in 1967, Anna observed ‘Uprising Day’ saying “Let Sethu canal be created, and rich Tamil Nadu prosper” (nrJ fhšthŒ mika£L«, brªjäœehL brê¡f£L«). This is a project for which Naam Tamilar Iyakkam leader S.P.Adityan and Congress’s K.T.Kosalram raised voice. This is a project for which my dear elder brother Kalaignar beat drum in the Assembly in 1958 itself. A project for which Anna in the same Assembly gave a clarion call why the Centre was delaying implementation of the report of Dr. Ramaswamy Mudaliar Committee report. Due to the pressure of Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, Pandit Nehru announced the project on September 12,1963. A project that the then Prime Minister Vajpayee announced that the Centre would implement at the Thanthai Periyar, Arignar Anna birth anniversary Renaissance Rally on September 15,1998. For 24 years raising voice in parliament to the full of my energy, and because of the effort of my dear elder brother Kalaignar in 2004 when Dr. Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee took up the task of drafting the CMP they were told to include this project and they accepted and included this project. This day when it is inaugurated is a happy occasion. The name of Dr. Manmohan Singh who has allocated Rs.2427 crore for this canal of Tamils which will be renown like Panama canal and Suez canal, will find place on inscriptions of time”.
The then Union Minster Anbumani Ramadoss said ‘All Tamil hearts were yearning for this day. This day is a very important day. In history this is a very important day for all Tamils. More than that our leader of Tamil Nadu very much strove for getting this project for TN that dream is becoming real today. In the last one year the UPA government has been doing lot of achievements for TN and the most important of them is this project.”
The then TNCC President and now Union Minister G.K.Vasan said,” The UPA government led by the Congress is today implementing the long time dream of Tamils Sethusamudram project. This is a glory for TN. This project is a basic project that will make TN as the first state in the coming years. I would like to thank Kalaignar who effectively raised voice for that and Prime Minister and leaders of parties.”
The former State Secretary of the CPM N. Varadharajan said “I convey my greetings to this function. This is a time when people of India are fighting against poverty. The works of this project should be useful for that struggle. This project must be developed into one creating employment opportunities. All should cooperate for the implementation of a good project.”
Speaking on behalf of the CPI D. Pandian said ”This is a good festive day. A good day when a project lying stagnant is inaugurated. A day when the child conceived in the womb for 145 years is born. Although it is canal that will be dug today it will stimulate economic change and development of this TN and help develop the economy of India. It will reduce the time of ships coming around. Hence this is a good news for the country. Some think that if they close their eyes world will turn dark. But here the function is being held in an excellent manner.”
Speaking at the function I said, “This is a good day, the day when the uprising of ‘Uprising Day’ won. When Anna assumed charge as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1967 and observed ‘Uprising Day’ declaring that we would never, at any time, for any reason give up rights and argue for the rights with those who were in places of granting them and spoke in the meetings arguing for Tuticorin port, Neyveli second mine cut, Salem Steel plant and Sethusamudram project, in fact whether this project would be realised was a question mark.
“We are inaugurating Sethusamudram project today as a symbol and dimension to show that by bringing together many parties with this alliance not only parties but also seas could be linked. Our Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has briefly explained the benefits of this project. Sethusamudram project is to create a sea route on Indian waters by linking Mannar Bay and Bay of Bengal via Adams bridge. As a whole this project will be a source for developing industrial resources not only for the districts of Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tuticorin, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam and Virudhunagar but also of the whole country”.
Some elements then filed a petition in the Madras High Court to prevent this inaugural function. Dismissing that petition the Bench presided over by the Chief Justice said, “The petitioner has rushed to the court with a petition to prevent Sethusamudram project brought in national interest. It is everybody’s knowledge that this project will be beneficial to the country, because now ships have to go round Sri Lanka to come to Bay of Bengal. If a shipping canal is formed across Palk straits it will facilitate saving of money and time. This project will create good results and hence no stay for the function”.
Should not Tamil Nadu understand the effort to somehow scrap the project telling some religious reasons overlooking all these and after people’s tax money of Rs.829 crore spent for the project? Is it proper to prevent the project even after knowing that TN will be greatly benefitted and particularly lakhs of youth will get employment opportunities? Those in power in the state will only think to somehow get such projects and implement it for the benefit of people, but will they approach the court on behalf of the government itself and say the project acquire with great efforts was not necessary? The DMK has the duty to make people of Tamil Nadu understand all these. It is only to fulfill that that the DMK headquarters has decided to observe 15.5.2013 as ‘Uprising Day’ throughout the state to press for continuing the implementation of the Sethusamudram project on 15.5.2013, Wednesday. As ever, I request you all DMK brothers and sisters, as one among those who strove very much for the project to conduct these meetings in a grand manner.
Affectionately yours,
M.K.
For how many years Tamils dreamt of Sethusamudram project? It was the dream of Tamil people for 150 years. Arignar Anna observed ‘Uprising Day’ for the project even when he was in power. Not only the DMK, people would not have forgotten that even the ADMK demanded the project in its election manifestoes of 2001 and 2004. They said they would press for and obtain the project from the government to be formed at the Centre. Now they themselves have filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on 29.4.2013 that the project is not required.
Why? Even when MGR was the Chief Minster, a resolution was adopted in the Assembly on 10.5.1986 demanding the project.
Now I can only visualise the scene of Sethusamudram project inauguration function at Madurai on 2 July 2005 when the temple city was flooded with people from all over southern districts. The Then Union Minister for Shipping T.R.Baalu presided over the function Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the works of the Project in the presence of me and Tmt. Sonia Gandhi. The then Governor of TN Surjit Singh Barnala participated as special guest and only representative of the state government. The then Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Dhayanidhi Maran, A. Raja, Anbumani Ramadoss, Mani Sankar Iyer and K.H.Muniyappa and leaders of political parties in TN the then President of TNCC G.K.Vasan, MP, Dr. Ramadoss, Vaiko, N. Varadharajan, D.Pandian and K.M. Khader Moideen MP also participated in the function and spoke.
It is my duty now to recall the speeches delivered by them in that function.
In his speech Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Sethusamudram project was one of the most ambitious projects to be conceived in the Indian port sector. It will reduce the travel time between the east and the west coasts of India and will particularly benefit small fishermen.
“I am certain the people of this region will, in a few years, see their lives transformed for the better by this project,” he said. Dr Singh, however, urged project authorities to be mindful and respectful of nature and the maritime environment of the channel. “I am sure they will certainly do. We will make all efforts to preserve our natural heritage while implementing this project so that everyone’s livelihood is protected. We will also protect the livelihood of fishermen,” Dr Singh said.
In the 10th Five Year Plan, the Centre has set new and higher targets for improving the country’s ports. “We want to encourage new investment in port development through a partnership between the public and private sectors. We welcome all forms of investment, public and private, in our ports. Over the next few years, we expect to see a major transformation of all our ports, large and small, for shipping or fishing,” he said.
Now ships from the east to the west coast and vice-versa sail around Sri Lanka as there is a submerged reef - Adam’s Bridge - near Rameswaram between the south-eastern coast of India and Thalaimanar in Sri Lanka. However, the channel will save a distance of up to 424 nautical miles (about 785 km) and 30 hours of sailing time. The Centre estimates foreign exchange savings of up to Rs 215 crore in the first year of operation (2008-09).
It is estimated to cost Rs 2,427.40 crore, consisting of a capital cost of Rs 2,233 crore and a financing cost of Rs 194.40 crore. Of this, Rs 971 crore will be equity whereas Rs 1,456 crore will be debt portion. The Government of India’s contribution in the equity will be Rs 495 crore, whereas Port Trusts of Tuticorin, Chennai, Ennore, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Shipping Corporation of India and Dredging Corporation of India.
“A dream formed 150 years back has now become a reality. I congratulate our respected leaders Kalaignar and Sonia Gandhi for realising this dream. Speaking earlier Kalaignar Karunanidhi wanted a world standard motor vehicle testing centre in Chennai. I am very happy to announce here that we have decided to establish a motor vehicle testing centre in international standards at Oragadam near Chennai”, the Prime Minister said.
In her speech Tmt. Sonia Gandhi said “A 150 year old dream is becoming a reality today. Although the Sethusamudram project was spoken all these years, nothing was done to implement it. Today, the UPA government has firmly taken step to realise this technically challenging project having economic importance. As this great project is establishing a continuous sea route within Indian waters this has great importance at the national and regional levels and for the defence of the nation. Tamil Nadu, particularly southern district will be greatly benefited by this project and the economy and sea trade of Tamil Nadu will greatly improve”.
Union Minister P. Chidambaram said, “The UPA government took charge on May 22, 2004 and within six weeks the Prime Minister and the Cabinet approved this project and in the very first budget on July 8, 2004 the Centre announced that this project would be implemented. It is not even one year since the announcement we lay foundation stone for this great project on July 2, 2005. This project will be implemented at a cost of Rs.2,427 crore. The Centre has given security for the loan to be taken for this project. Hence this project will be completed within the stipulated time and expenditure”.
MDMK General Secretary Vaiko in his speech said, “it is most fitting that this festival is being conducted in the same month of July when in 1967, Anna observed ‘Uprising Day’ saying “Let Sethu canal be created, and rich Tamil Nadu prosper” (nrJ fhšthŒ mika£L«, brªjäœehL brê¡f£L«). This is a project for which Naam Tamilar Iyakkam leader S.P.Adityan and Congress’s K.T.Kosalram raised voice. This is a project for which my dear elder brother Kalaignar beat drum in the Assembly in 1958 itself. A project for which Anna in the same Assembly gave a clarion call why the Centre was delaying implementation of the report of Dr. Ramaswamy Mudaliar Committee report. Due to the pressure of Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, Pandit Nehru announced the project on September 12,1963. A project that the then Prime Minister Vajpayee announced that the Centre would implement at the Thanthai Periyar, Arignar Anna birth anniversary Renaissance Rally on September 15,1998. For 24 years raising voice in parliament to the full of my energy, and because of the effort of my dear elder brother Kalaignar in 2004 when Dr. Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee took up the task of drafting the CMP they were told to include this project and they accepted and included this project. This day when it is inaugurated is a happy occasion. The name of Dr. Manmohan Singh who has allocated Rs.2427 crore for this canal of Tamils which will be renown like Panama canal and Suez canal, will find place on inscriptions of time”.
The then Union Minster Anbumani Ramadoss said ‘All Tamil hearts were yearning for this day. This day is a very important day. In history this is a very important day for all Tamils. More than that our leader of Tamil Nadu very much strove for getting this project for TN that dream is becoming real today. In the last one year the UPA government has been doing lot of achievements for TN and the most important of them is this project.”
The then TNCC President and now Union Minister G.K.Vasan said,” The UPA government led by the Congress is today implementing the long time dream of Tamils Sethusamudram project. This is a glory for TN. This project is a basic project that will make TN as the first state in the coming years. I would like to thank Kalaignar who effectively raised voice for that and Prime Minister and leaders of parties.”
The former State Secretary of the CPM N. Varadharajan said “I convey my greetings to this function. This is a time when people of India are fighting against poverty. The works of this project should be useful for that struggle. This project must be developed into one creating employment opportunities. All should cooperate for the implementation of a good project.”
Speaking on behalf of the CPI D. Pandian said ”This is a good festive day. A good day when a project lying stagnant is inaugurated. A day when the child conceived in the womb for 145 years is born. Although it is canal that will be dug today it will stimulate economic change and development of this TN and help develop the economy of India. It will reduce the time of ships coming around. Hence this is a good news for the country. Some think that if they close their eyes world will turn dark. But here the function is being held in an excellent manner.”
Speaking at the function I said, “This is a good day, the day when the uprising of ‘Uprising Day’ won. When Anna assumed charge as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1967 and observed ‘Uprising Day’ declaring that we would never, at any time, for any reason give up rights and argue for the rights with those who were in places of granting them and spoke in the meetings arguing for Tuticorin port, Neyveli second mine cut, Salem Steel plant and Sethusamudram project, in fact whether this project would be realised was a question mark.
“We are inaugurating Sethusamudram project today as a symbol and dimension to show that by bringing together many parties with this alliance not only parties but also seas could be linked. Our Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has briefly explained the benefits of this project. Sethusamudram project is to create a sea route on Indian waters by linking Mannar Bay and Bay of Bengal via Adams bridge. As a whole this project will be a source for developing industrial resources not only for the districts of Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tuticorin, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam and Virudhunagar but also of the whole country”.
Some elements then filed a petition in the Madras High Court to prevent this inaugural function. Dismissing that petition the Bench presided over by the Chief Justice said, “The petitioner has rushed to the court with a petition to prevent Sethusamudram project brought in national interest. It is everybody’s knowledge that this project will be beneficial to the country, because now ships have to go round Sri Lanka to come to Bay of Bengal. If a shipping canal is formed across Palk straits it will facilitate saving of money and time. This project will create good results and hence no stay for the function”.
Should not Tamil Nadu understand the effort to somehow scrap the project telling some religious reasons overlooking all these and after people’s tax money of Rs.829 crore spent for the project? Is it proper to prevent the project even after knowing that TN will be greatly benefitted and particularly lakhs of youth will get employment opportunities? Those in power in the state will only think to somehow get such projects and implement it for the benefit of people, but will they approach the court on behalf of the government itself and say the project acquire with great efforts was not necessary? The DMK has the duty to make people of Tamil Nadu understand all these. It is only to fulfill that that the DMK headquarters has decided to observe 15.5.2013 as ‘Uprising Day’ throughout the state to press for continuing the implementation of the Sethusamudram project on 15.5.2013, Wednesday. As ever, I request you all DMK brothers and sisters, as one among those who strove very much for the project to conduct these meetings in a grand manner.
Affectionately yours,
M.K.
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