Sethu Ocean Project(Tamilnadu, India) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

To shorten the sea-trade route
and export goods and expand trade,
the stone-bridge across the Palk Straits
off the town of Rameswaram
needs to be cleared away.
But some superstitious men
trade tirade against the Project
and stop carrying on the work.

The stones might have been laid
in ancient days by the Tamil Kings.
But these religious bigots
argue with fictional stories
that it was built by Rama
with the help of Hanuman's forces.
Whoever could have built it
but what use the people have
within the sea the bridge to save?

When Katchativu Islands
where the Tamils catch fish,
were gifted to Lanka,
these leaders slept in Parliament.
When the lakhs of Tamils were killed
enmass by hurling bombs on them
in the war-torn Lanka,
these Indians were on a honeymoon!

But the Sethu Sea Project work
which would bring jobs and livelihood
to lakhs of workers and farmers
is blocked by a writ in court, citing
legends, myths and fancy tales.
The Chinese are fast in trading.
Their astute men and material,
their indigenous and electronic goods
have filled and spilled Australia.

See, our flustered ambassadars
prostrate before the Lankan leaders
to plead them not to be a host
to the agile Buddhist Chinese.
As the Pakistan demands Kashmir,
Lanka will stretch its hand
to Rameswaram, the temple town.
The Chinese would succour them
as they have formed a triangle
to feel the pulse of the brave Indians.
------