From Alpa Mistry, Bradford

OM JAI SHRI RAM

My views: Ram and Ramayana live in the hearts of every Hindu, in India, as well as across the world. RAM SETU is not only historical for all Hindus but also very sacred. As the Ramayana teaches us that in order to get Sita back Ram had to get tocross the sea to reach Lanka. With the help of the animal kingdom of the Vanaras, Ram built the bridge RAM SETU. After building the bridge Ram crossed the sea, reached Lanka, fought, killed Ravan and got Sita back. The thought of destroying this sacred bridge is very disrespectful to allHindus.

And to declare a statement that,Ram and Ramayana never existed is not only disrespectful but very hurtful. The Ram Sethu land formation is an example of such a sacred symbol, and to create canal between Sri Lanka and itself for the sake of new business is not really justified in my view. Taking this bridge away is going to cause more controversy. There will more cost than benefit. Millions of rupees will go into the building of the canal. It will attract international fishermen driving out the local fishermen and the local industries, destroying local communities en masse.

There are non-economic costs. The bridge is a sacred place of worship and pilgrimage to millions of people. It will be a major offence to the Hindus. There will be huge environmental cost through mass industrialisation and pollution created by it. Natural resources will be exploited, the habitat destroyed and ecosystems changed forever bringing the risks of natural disasters like the tsunami.

The destruction of the natural habitat will kill the ancient way of life. The region is home to some 400 endangered marine species including many fish, turtles, and dolphins.These species will be destroyed with the dredging and heavy traffic. Talking of traffic, what happens when one of these huge cargo ships or oil tankers has an accident and releases toxic waste into the sea? What happens to the more than 4000 species that exist along the Ram Sethu and the local shoreline and communities that depend on the seas for their existence? What happens to the area used for dumping the estimated 62 millions tonnes of silt that need to be excavated for this project?

The Ramayana and Mahabahrat are historical facts written in terms of stories and passed down to generations. THERE IS AMPLE PROOF BESIDES the satellite pictures prove the existence ofRam built bridge. This has recently been endorsed by the famous Sunitha Williams, Indian origin NASA astronaut. What more evidence is needed? Why is it that Hindus and their faith are always taken for granted, abused and insulted whereever and whenever?

In my view Ram was living then, and still lives on. He exists in everyHindu heart.

JAI SHRI RAM