Houston's Kusum Vyas takes "Save Ram Sethu Campaign" to Bali
Houston's Kusum Vyas takes "Save Ram Sethu Campaign" to Bali
Author:
Publication: India Herald
Date:
URL: http://www.india-herald.com/link.asp?smenu=1&twindow=&sdetail=1362&mad=&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=
"As world leaders contemplate upon the
ways to save the earth's environment, all responsible citizens of the global
community must recognize that dredging and destroying Ram Sethu to create a
ship channel in the region of the Gulf of Mannar translates into an ecological
disaster" is the concern expressed by Dr. Kusum Vyas, the founder of "Save
Ram Sethu Campaign" at Bali in Indonesia on Dec.15.
She was delivering the keynote address at the
seminar "Save Ram Sethu" sponsored by the Bali-India Foundation and
held at its beautiful facilities in Denpasar, Bali.
The foundation's head, Dr. Somvir, an Indian
professor living in Bali, provided the translation in Bahasa Indonesian. Members
of the audience included delegates from the United Nations Climate Change Conference,
Balinese Hindu scholars and young Balinese professionals who are active in Hindu
organizations.
Through a well-researched and interesting power
presentation about Ram Sethu and the Sethusamudram Shipping Project followed
by a question and answer session, Vyas captivated the attention of the audience
for over two hours.
In her presentation, Vyas explained the sacred
aspects of Ram Sethu, its presence in ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Ramayana
and the Puranas and references to Ram Sethu in historical records of the European
and Islamic visitors dating back to the 12th century.
Vyas provided a brief overview of the Sethusamudram
Shipping Canal Project, the effect of the project on the ecology and environment
of the region.
She outlined the negative impact of the proposed
shipping channel on the economic, environmental and social composition of the
Sri Lankan and Indian coastal areas.
Vyas covered in great detail the ecological
damage the construction of a ship channel and the dredging associated with the
project would cause to the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, the first
marine protected area to be declared in South and South East Asia and established
by the Government of India in 1989.
The Reserve harbors marine biodiversity of global
significance and is renowned for its coral reef, sea grass and algal communities
in its marine, intertidal and near shore habitats. Public access inside the
Park is prohibited.
Many in the audience were visibly moved by the
presentation and expressed grave concern about the damage such as project would
do to the environment as well as to the religious sentiments of the Hindus.
Dr. Shalaby, an environmentalist from an international
development bank who was in Bali as a delegate to the Climate Change Conference
expressed his disbelief that any responsible government could conceive such
a project especially in today's climate where all concerned individuals are
searching for answers to the problems which threaten the Earth's environment.
"Ram Sethu is important to all of humanity
and 3.5 million Hindus of Bali will support its preservation as a sacred monument,"
is the hope expressed by Shri Arya Wedakarna , a prominent leader of the Hindu
Youth in Bali. He went on to add that he would be willing to play an active
role in helping to preserve Ram Sethu and would create awareness among the other
Hindus of Indonesia.
Dr. Ngurah, Chairman of the Department of Religions,
inaugurated the seminar with a lamp lighting ceremony.
Several members of the audience, such as Nyoman
a leading Hindu scholar from the Udayana University, expressed their appreciation
of Dr. Vyas' efforts and promised their full support of the initiative.
The event received prominent coverage in the
local media such as "Bali Post" and "Tokoh" whose reporters
interviewed Vyas.
Earlier in the day, Vyas and her family met
the King of Ubud, Ir. Tjok. Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati at the Royal Palace in
Ubud.
Over a sumptuous array of Balinese tea and snacks,
she briefed the King about Ram Sethu and the impending danger it faces from
the Sethusamudram Shipping project.
She expressed her sentiments to the King that
at the time when the entire world is concerned about the dangers from the Earth's
changing climate, Ram Sethu is a reminder from our Gods to all of humanity that
bridging the divides and working in unity is the key solution to many of the
problems that we face today. The King expressed support for the "Save Ram
Sethu Campaign" and promised to meet with other international supporters
in the future.
Vyas will continue to liaise with the King and
leaders from the Bali Hindu community about the future activities of the campaign.