Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Sethusamudram project

This refers to the lengthy statements of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi on the Sethusamudram project. Who first conceived it is immaterial. What is significant is the wrangling going on between the Centre, represented by the DMK, and the AIADMK. The real issue obviously is election 2006. For the DMK, it is the election environment that has necessitated the project. Other environmental concerns are immaterial. As for the AIADMK's concern, it is aimed more at postponing the project until after the elections.

R. Janakiraman,
Cheyyar, T.N.

The unanswered questions on the project remain. How much will be the toll charge for a single transit and what will be the security implications? Given the LTTE's air and naval capabilities, along with stray incidents of piracy and armed robbery across the canal, the security issues cannot be overlooked. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections seem to be the reason for the sudden inauguration of the project and the popular stand against it seems to have dictated the choice of the venue.

Commander (retd.)
G.V.K. Unnithan,
Mumbai

Agreed, the project will help Tamil Nadu's coastal economy. But advertisements such as the one describing it as a 145-year dream of Tamils (June 27) are jarring. Such exaggerated pride borders on parochialism. It undermines the importance of this scheme as a national project. Use of words such as Tamils, Punjabis and Bengalis is particularly deplorable in government advertisements.

A. Thirumurugan,
Cuddalore, T.N.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Let the admissions begin
Welcome but not adequate relief
Should the IMD monopolise monsoon forecasts?
Anybody remember Manipur?
A gambling epidemic hits Russia
Snipers with children in their sights
Ways to leave your boss
`Jury of Conscience' indicts U.S., U.K. on Iraq
Briefly
A master stroke
Sethusamudram project
Welcome verdict
Appalling
Needed, awareness

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu