Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story – The Happy End…

Chapter 8

Raman got up very late next morning and went to the hall. Geetha was sitting there with her grandmother and said good morning to him.
“It is going to be 9 a.m. and what is your programme?” she asked.
“I make myself ready, we drink coffee and after that we go to Sri Meenakshiamman Temple, all of us including grandmother”, he answered. They were inside the temple for more than two hours and Geetha was absolutely happy.

When they reached home, the post man came with a telegram.
“Ms. A. Geetha”, asked the postman. She went and took the telegram and with shivering hands she opened it and saw only one word in it, CONGRATULATIONS. It was from her Papa and her parents blessed her and she felt the blissfulness in every part of her body.

“What is it”, asked the grandmother.
“It’s from papa” was her casual answer.

Geetha and Raman talked about their studies and their wishes and aims in their life and both were grateful to Singapore. It was 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. he has to leave to the railway station.

“Would you like to have your own Singapore?” he asked her.
“If you present me one during my life time, why not?” she replied. He opened his suit case and took the papers and gave to her.
“Here is your Singapore, read it carefully and till you finish reading it don’t ask any questions”, he said.
She remembered his writing on that morning in Chennai and started to read. In the first page she could read only “dedicated to Geetha” and she started reading. He has written some 20 pages and she took two hours to read, understand and enjoy this paper.

“Send this to our former President Dr. Kalam, he is from Ramanathapuram, his house is in Rameswaram and surely he will help”, she said in a soft tone.
“Not only our former President Dr. Kalam, but all the Indians living in this earth should be for this”, was his reply.

“The canal should be named after Mahatma Gandhi,” the voice of Geetha and Raman came at the same time. Their endless joy is to be seen clearly from their young, beautiful faces.

Geetha got up slowly, went to Raman, hugged him and whispered him, “I love you”. Raman felt the warmth of her breath and body and replied “I too love you and Ramar Island is my present to you. It will be a symbol of our love forever”.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story - Chapter 7– in would be Ramar Island…

Chapter 7

It was 7 a.m. in the morning Geetha was ready, but Raman was sleeping still or dreaming and his smile was also still in his lips. She took her pillow and with that she touched his nose. He opened his eyes and in front of him he saw the beautiful face of Geetha.
“The hotel has got your ticket and at 11:30 a.m. we must fly to Madurai” she said.
He looked at her and said “Good morning, Geetha, go for the breakfast alone and I have to finish some important work”, he told.
“Is it more important than me?” asked she and he nodded. She was disappointed but without telling a word she left the room.

“She is angry”, he thought, “but I could explain her everything tomorrow”, he consoled himself.

As Geetha went to the breakfast room she could not understand why he was not interested to take the breakfast with her. The men had always important work if they wanted to avoid something. Raman was no exception, she thought.

Raman took the paper from his suit case and started to write about his dream. He wanted to write every small detail on the paper and was afraid whether he could forget something. He was writing and writing and suddenly Geetha was standing in front of him.
“What are you writing?” she asked.
“It’s just about something which I should not forget”, he replied.
“I want to see it now”, she whispered.
“No, you have to wait till tomorrow or day after tomorrow”, he replied with a smile. For the first time she was angry with him and without talking further she made her suit case ready for the journey. He finished his writing, put the papers in his suit case, closed and locked it very carefully and went to take the shower.

Raman did not take the breakfast on that day and she could not understand anything from his behaviour. The plane landed safely in Madurai Airport and they took a taxi to her grandmother. The grandmother was very happy to receive them and she had already the news from her son, Arunachalam. She was asking both something without a break.

After the meals Raman told Geetha that tomorrow morning he would like to go to Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram. It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise to her and she thought of the wonderful temple in Rameswaram. She agreed without hesitation. “Grandmother, come with us” she asked, but grandmother was not willing to travel the whole day.
“Make a good picnic with Raman and I prepare everything”, she told with an unexplainable smile in her lips.

Raman and Geetha started next day in a Taxi and the driver is from Kilakarai. “I know the whole area” said the driver, “what is your wish, sir?” he asked.
“We want to have a ride through Kilakarai, Muthupettai, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Irumeni, Panalkkulam, Devipattinam and finally to Pampan and Rameswaram, just want to look the area”, was his answer.
“Okay”, said the driver. Geetha had not understood all what he told and was asking to her why he wanted to see all these places? I could get the answer in course of the day or at least in the night when we have returned to Madurai. Everything looked like a mystery to her and in Raman she saw a miracle man who was planning something great or also not.

It was a good day and they sat in the car almost the whole day. It was a hard day and they have seen all the places, Raman ate his groundnut sweets, Geetha ate one banana, they drank two or three tender coconuts and the driver drank many teas.
“Now I have an idea, it is a wonderful place for a mighty country”, he said.
“What do you mean exactly and I don’t understand all these things”, she told.
“Wait for a day and then I explain you everything in detail”, he said casually. She had no other alternative than to wait. She could have scratched his face with her nails, but somehow or other she had no idea to hurt him.
“How could I scratch his handsome face?” she thought. Raman told the driver to go to Pampan first and then to Rameswaram Temple. They went till the car could go, it was almost empty and there were lot of scope to make the forests denser and what not he thought. It would be a deserving place to become Ramar Island which he has already dedicated to Geetha. He did not want to tell her about this in Rameswaram and Madurai could be the best place to tell, he decided. I would tell her before I go to the railway station.

“It seems you know everything, tell me about Rameswaram”, Geetha asked him.
He looked at her with a sweet smile and started, “Rameswaram is the place where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana. Here Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to wipe away the sin of killing Lanka’s Ravana. All the Hindus visit this pilgrimage and it is known as the Varanasi of the South. A pilgrimage to Banaras is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. It is an island in the Gulf of Mannar at the tip of the Indian peninsula” Raman told.

Geetha looked at him in astonishment and admired his knowledge, but could not get any words to praise him.
“Are you dreaming”, he asked.
“No”, was her reply, “I thought you only dreamt hours together last night and I have observed you more than five hours”.
“Aha”, he said and was silent.

“Could you tell me about the God here”, she asked him.
He smiled at her,” The main deity is the Linga of Sri Ranganatha which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India”.
“You are great”, she shouted at him, “I could marry you immediately if you ask for that”. Her face was completely red now and she turned it away from him. The Rameshwaram temple has come before he could answer. The new gopuram was mighty to look. There were people from all over India and all are busy in their work, mainly looking the temple or taking the holy bath or doing some puja. His dream city could come there which could also make India stronger in all respects, he thought. In the World Map it could get such a place that everybody wants to visit India’s Ramar Island and he was very proud now.

He was awake when he heard Geetha’s voice once again. “If you stand like this people will think that you are one of the Gods of Rameswaram”, said she in a sweet voice, “Shall we go inside now?”

He starred at her for a long time and replied in a completely different voice, “The time has not yet come for us to enter this temple, we go now, come later in our life here and at that time you can go inside”.
She has not understood what he meant and wanted to wait till tomorrow to get all details. “If I haven’t known him well in these days I could have thought that he is mad”, she thought.
She agreed, but she was hungry and they decided to eat somewhere. When they reached Madurai it was after 10 p.m. and the grandmother was happy to receive them once again. They answered all her questions and finally it was midnight when he entered the guest room. Lying in his bed, he thought about the past seven or eight days. My life could not be the same as before, he thought. But, to get Geetha as his wife he was prepared even to eat a dead rat, he thought and laughed. What to tell, when to tell or how to tell her was the biggest unsolved problem for him. This night he had no dream and he slept well.

“Tomorrow will be the important day in my life, he loves me, but he is shy”, thought she in her room and she had no patience to wait. It was a disturbed night for her once again. If he could not open his mouth I could take the initiative first, she liked this idea very much and slept well. It was 4 a.m.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story – back to India…

Chapter 6

Next morning he was ready at 7:30 a.m. and his flight was at 10 a.m. He would fly approximately 4 hrs to Chennai. He took a taxi and reached the Airport and he missed Geetha now very much. He thought that the last four days were the best days in his life. But it was over, he had her mail ID and cell number but the good days were over according to him. He had checked in and everywhere he saw only Geetha. His seat was in the middle of the plane; he sat and closed his eyes.

When Raman opened his eyes he was already above the clouds. The friendly Singapore Airlines Hostess laughed at him and gave him a piece of paper. He opened it and there were only four words, “come to me, Geetha”. The airhostess smiled at him and asked him to go the 10th row. He ran almost in the plane and found Geetha in the 10th row. He sat near her, took her hand in his and told that he was very happy now.
“I know another person who is happier than you”, she said pointing out her index finger towards her, “I wanted to fly with you and my loving father arranged this journey. We can talk a lot now because we have another 3-1/2 hours”, she said with a seductive smile in her lips. Now only he noticed that his hand was still holding her hand and removed quickly and she was only smiling.

Suddenly she asked him, “Do you like Taj Mahal?”
“Yes, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, moreover it is a symbol of love”, he replied.
“I agree with you, but Shahjahan might have done something great when Mumtaj was alive”, she said, “she has not seen the symbol of love. I want to get something wonderful when I am living from my husband and what is the use if I am not there,” she told.
“It’s a great idea and you will get it”, was his remark.
She looked at him with her big beautiful eyes and asked “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m 100% sure, wonder happens very rarely but sometimes it happens and you may be lucky”, was his dry reply.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the presence of Raman near her. “He is mine or I’m sure I’m his”, thought her and opened her eyes. He was looking at her and his face was serious.

“Where are you going to stay in Chennai? Come to us and your flight is only tomorrow morning.” he said.
“No”, her reply was very firm, “I will come to your house, say hello to everybody and then we go to a good hotel and stay there”.
“What”, he shouted.
“Yes you told that a man and a woman could be good friends and they could also sleep in the same bed without disturbing each other” she said.
He shook his head and told, “it is not London or Paris, it is only Chennai and here we have to adhere the guidelines of our society. I have no problem, but I don’t want to spoil your name”.
“So, you men talk very bravely, but when it becomes serious, you withdraw”, she said little bit loudly. More than half an hour they were discussing about this and heard the announcement from the chief hostess that they were approaching Chennai and the landing would be in 30 min.
“I never thought that you would say this. I’m alone in Chennai and we are friends. I request you to stay with me in the hotel. Moreover, it is better if you accompany me also to Madurai till I reach my grandmother”.
For the first time in his life Raman had to take a decision. He looked at her very charmingly and told that he could do it without any problem. Geetha took both his hands and thanked him. The plane has already landed and they have not even noticed that.

Geetha and Raman took a taxi and went to a hotel and it was a five star luxury hotel. He has declared her as his wife to avoid problems and they went to the room. It is a very spacious room with all modern amenities for both. She was feeling well there. She entered inside the bathroom and he sat on the sofa, closed his eyes and thought about their conversation in the plane regarding Taj Mahal. He thought that Geetha was right and what was there to do for her in a grand manner which must also be unique in this world. He felt bad because what a great thing could he do for her in the name of love?

They went to Marina Beach, Kabalishwarar Koil and finally visited his parents.
“What are you doing here and we thought you were stuck up in Singapore” said his father.
“I am playing the role of a baby-sitter for this girl”, he pointed out her with a naughty smile. His mother looked at Geetha with an open mouth and said hello to her.
“Where did you get this beautiful girl?” asked his father, “now I know that baby sitting is such a good job”.
“Today we will stay in the hotel, tomorrow morning I fly with her to Madurai, bring her safely to her grandmother and come back. After that I explain everything to you, father”, he said in a soft voice. His father nodded.
“Why can’t you both stay here in the house? We have a guest room also” said his mother loudly.
“You know your son better than anybody, it is decided, it is booked and I explain you, mamma, everything when I come back”, he replied his mamma with a smile. With hesitation she told yes to her son.
“At least you both could eat here”, said the mother. “Mamma, time will come and then you could cook for us everyday”, he was laughing when he told that. The Okay came very slowly from her mouth.
“Did you ring your uncle?” asked his father.
“No, I do it later”, he replied.

Geetha and Raman reached the hotel, ate something, telephoned to her parents and his uncle. “Now I have to wear my nightie and sleep, have you got any problem with that”, she asked.
“No, make you comfortable”, replied he and went to the window to see the Chennai by night. When he turned she was already sleeping, he saw her beautiful slim body had a small curve and he took the nearby bed for him. He thought intensively once again about their talk regarding Taj Mahal. He wanted to do something great for Geetha, but what could he do? For the first time he hated his life. He slept and had a wonderful dream, a dream which he could dedicate to Geetha.

Raman used to read all the news and the political stunts about the Sethu Samudram project and he was for this project. Of course, as an Indian he was also for the Ramar Bridge. There must be a compromise so that both the parties were satisfied and at the same time it must have a real big impact on India. The alternative of a small canal around Ramar Bridge was a wit for him. It should be something good, marvellous and should be unique in the whole world. The interesting multicultural Singapore with its different facets came to his mind.
“I have the answer,” he shouted and his mind was working in a high speed. What he had seen in the past 5 days in Singapore ran before his eyes. There were so many superlatives- cleanliness, discipline, the peaceful co-existence of people from different cultures and religions and the super planning impressed him very much. “A new Singapore, a still better and different Singapore, in this area is the answer”, he thought. It was good for the emerging India and above all it was also good for Geetha because he could dedicate this idea to her and all the coming thousands of years her name would be there when people thought or read about this Indian Singapore were his thoughts.
“Why Indian Singapore, I would like to give a new name to this area which could be called Ramar Island. Yes, it will be an Island which solves all the problems about the Sethu Samudram project and brings good to India, the coming super power. It could be compared to Singapore and Hong Kong but it will be unique because it is in India” thought he. Although he had been never to this area he had a very good knowledge about the geography of Tamil Nadu.
“It is for Geetha, it is better than anything because she could see it during her life time” he thought.

Suddenly Geetha got up and sat in her bed. For a moment she did not know where she was. He saw Raman in the same bed and in his lips she saw the smile and thought that he was muttering something. Her ear went near his lips and to her pleasant surprise she heard her name only. It was more than three hours she was sitting near him and watching his face with wonderful and joyful expressions and numerous smiles. She got up and took the letter block and started writing.

Dear Papa,
I love him very much, you are the first one to know this and inform mamma also.
Love
Geetha.

Another two hours went on and she was still sitting near him and wondering what was going on in his brain in these hours.

Raman thought of Kilakarai and Devipatinnam immediately. It is better to have the canal 3 km below Kilakarai to 3 km above Devipattinam. A canal which would be from near Kilakarai to near Devipattinam might be the solution.

RAMAR ISLAND TOOK BIRTH IN HIS MIND

He saw this island in front of his eyes. It is just below Kilakarai to just above Devipattinam. It would be a medium sized Island and would be called Ramar Island. What were the important places in this island, thought he. He had to think and remember, finally he got it; they could be Kilakarai, Muthupettai, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Irumeni, Panalkkulam and Devipattinam and like jewels with diamonds there will be Rameswaram and Pampan. The idea of Ramar Island was perfect now. It should be a duck that lays golden eggs for the emerging super power India thought Raman.

There were enough engineering experts in India and in the world who could finalize and finish this project. There were no mountains in this area and a straight canal is possible without big problems thought Raman. But, he was in a mood to dream further and a contour for this Ramar Island has formed in his mind. It should be clean, must have enough water and electricity and the best schools and universities. He had read about several temples in this area and all would profit out of that. He thought of the new harbour where Queen Mary II and other big tourist ships are regular guests. One side the water sports, the other side the fishing harbour and in the middle the commercial harbour. Extraordinary activities like in Monaco or in Florida will be the result.

The buildings in Ramar Island should not be very high and a maximum of five stories are enough he thought. In one corner he would like to make an artificial mountain, around 700 m high and wanted to plant numerous trees in the whole Island. It must be a green Island with blue sea he thought. Everything, museums, exhibitions and under water parks could only increase the attraction of this island. Here there were many experts who could plan this better than me, he thought. It must be a centre of sport, education, music, fine arts, media and culture where people should not give more importance to their normal struggles like caste or religion or race. Everybody had the right to worship as they like and the temples, mosques or the churches could celebrate their festivals in their own traditional way. But for a normal man his religion must be private one with his family and society. The ultimate preaching of all the religions was love and it should not only be accepted but also practised by everybody. Kilakarai is famous for its Muslim population and the churches had their places in these areas. It should be like a paradise. It should be a straight canal from below Kilakarai to above Devipattinam and this means good for the engineers, ships and for every body. We would have more advantages than Singapore, he thought, because of the backyard where we could put all the industries and other necessary infrastructure which could make the Ramar Island the perfect place in our earth.

Moreover, the ecology would not be disturbed and flora and fauna could be conserved for the coming generations. The natural environment could also be protected for ever.

Raman thought about the Queen Mary II and the other giant luxury ships. Tourists from these ships would be taken in the directions of Madurai, Cape Comerin, Velankanni, Nagore and Thanjavur. It would be a big boost to the local employment and also it could relax the tension to Chennai area. Ramar Island would be there, pure and sacred, but very near to all loving persons, he thought. A new planned big city with a good integration of the present places would take care of the modern aspects as well as the traditional side, he thought.

The coral reefs, the colourful fishes and the dancing dolphins could be protected always and these were big attractions. Krusadai Island would be the Mecca for all Zoology students in our world.

Our Indian coast is exactly 7517 km long. He wished in every 50 km a fishing as well as a sport and multipurpose commercial harbour. 3 to 4 fishermen together must get a free mechanized boat and every fishing village should get at least one trawler for deep sea fishing. The wind-energy parks in our seas and the desalination plants to produce drinking water would increase the quality and the standard of life of the Indians, he thought. In his concept, there were only winners.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story – love, love, love…

Chapter 5

In his room Raman thought about the day. This was the day when he suffered the most and also the happiest day for him. His lips muttered Geetha, Geetha and his whole face were covered with a smile; her face was in front of his eyes and he could remember everything clearly. He knew several girl students from his college. They have studied together, went to beach or to restaurant together, but he never had such an urge to see somebody like her once again. He slept very soundly on that night without any dream.

Geetha thought of her day. It was a gift from Sri Mariamman for her, she thought and at the same time she was also afraid of the future. What would his family tell or have they already arranged some girl for him? What her parents would tell when they come to know about her thoughts? It was her turn now and the whole night she was not sleeping. The coming days would be mine and hope I could have luck was her continuous thoughts during the whole night. The sun rose with its mighty rays and she was still awake.

Raman picked her up punctually at 9 a.m. with a BMW car which he rented through his hotel. She saw the car with big eyes and asked, “Are you very rich?”
He replied with a smile, “One needs only a credit card to get such a car”. Like all handsome young men he also liked BMW, so to say he loved it.
In the car she told her plan what all to see during the three days. “At first we go to Sri Veeramakaliamman” she said with a smile.
“Want to search the parrot fortune teller?” he asked.
“No”, was her reply, “I want to go to the temple and afterwards we wander a bit in Little India. After that we drive to China Town, of course, to Sri Mariamman Temple. It is our temple and will also be always our temple”.
He saw her dreaming eyes and wondered what was going on in her intelligent head.

They entered inside the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple; it is at 141 Serangoon Road and is one of the oldest temples in Singapore. It was built by the pioneers who came to work and live here and was the first in Serangoon area. It became a focus point for Indian social and cultural activities. The first name of the temple is Soonnanbu Kambam Koil which meant the temple at lime villages. All the deities were from India and Geetha was explaining him everything without a break and he wondered how many times she had been here in these two weeks. They felt that they were in India and this made them happy and very fresh. She wanted to eat some South Indian sweets and talked about the life in Singapore. After that they rushed to China town and there she wanted to see the Sri Mariamman Temple. If I could marry him I would come here first with him she thought and her face become red and he was noticing the changes in her face carefully, but without any comment. In this place I met her and here we must come often he thought. Here also she explained him everything as if she had known everything from her childhood. Women were near to God than men he thought or it could be their place to escape from men or family or the society was his second thought.

Geetha and Raman drove through China town and enjoyed this busy and unique place. They had decided to eat something here and plan for the next two days. They enjoyed the meals or so to say enjoyed their conversation. She wanted to know everything about him and he answered all her questions patiently. He enjoyed because her questions were sometimes very intelligent and sometimes very childish. He thought intelligence and Indian culture were nesting together in her.

As he wanted to go further she looked at him with her shining and happy eyes, “Why can’t we sit here and talk further?”
He smiled at her and said, “But you can’t show me the whole Singapore now and what should I say if they ask me in India what I have been doing all the time in Singapore”.
“My parents are here and we could come at any time”, was her naughty reply.

“What do you want to see?” she asked.
“Make some suggestions, you know better than me”, he replied.
“No problem”, she said and without a break she told him about the tourist attractions in Singapore. They include the Army Museum of Singapore, Captain Explorer DUKw Tour, City & Cultural FunVeeTour, Cheng Ho Cruise, Escape Theme Park, Fort Siloso, Hibiscus @ Singapore Turf Club, Images of Singapore, Labrador Secret Tunnel, Malay Village, MINT Museum of Toys, National Orchid Garden, Red dot design museum, Sentosa 4D Magix, Singapore Discovery Centre, Singapore Philatelic Museum, Songs of the Sea, The Merlion, TigerLIVE, Wild Wild Wet, Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, Journeys - The Original Singapore Walks Jurong Bird Park, LiliPutt Indoor Mini Golf, School of Hard Knocks @Royal Selangor, Night Safari, Singapore Flyer, Singapore River Cruises, Singapore Zoo, Snow City, The Changi Museum, Audio Guided Tour, Tiger Sky Tower, Underwater World Singapore, Clarke Quay, Marina Barrage, NEWater Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens and The Changi Museum.

“What do you want to see in two days?” she asked him, “we drive with the car everywhere, but sit somewhere and talk a lot”. Her delighted eyes were telling a lot, but what could be that was like a riddle for him. He knew her not even 24 hours and she started dictating now everything, he thought.
“Look”, he said to her, “plan whatever you like and I present you my two days to you”.
“That is very generous of you, but it is also dangerous because your acceptance is unconditional”, she told and her eyes were very serious.
“I’m aware of this danger”, he answered with a smile and they drove to her house back. She was happy as she felt that he liked her.

“Come to my room, we can talk about everything” she said, “don’t forget you must listen to me”. He followed her without answering her and now in her room he saw her like a child with shining and happy eyes. It was a perfect room and everything was there what a young woman could dream.
“I thought in few days you are going to leave, but it seems you have made permanent quarters here” he smiled.
“It is my father’s wish and as I told you I can come here at any time”, she replied. “Now it is going to be serious”, she told, and “what do you think about marriage and family?”
“You could ask me this question after 5 years”, he laughed, and “and then I will give you the correct answer”.
“You spoil the whole fun and discussion brings more new ideas”, she said, “Come on, let us talk”.
“Okay, I will marry and have a family when I have finished my doctorate and there will be no change in it”, he said.
“If you fall in love with a girl then what will you do?” she smiled.
“I request her to wait till I finish my studies; she can agree for that or go away. If she accepts I have no problem to wait for her even if it is few years” was his reply. She thought of many young men who wanted to talk to her the same subject, sex, after five minutes. He was different and it attracted her towards him and she did not have the power to stop her thoughts about him and she became silent. He was observing her and after 15 min told her to go to the hall where her parents are waiting for them and walked slowly. Mr. Arunachlam asked both several questions and their answer was always very short. He gave a cover in his daughter’s hand and she opened it casually and she shouted. “Papa, I thank you very much”, and gave him a kiss in his cheek.
“Mamma, we eat now, after that Raman could drive to his hotel to take some rest and tomorrow will be a very tough day”, she said in a delighted voice. Before he left to his hotel Mr. Arunachalam gave him a cover and asked him to open next day morning. He thanked him and drove to his hotel and thought that he was no more the same Raman as before.

The next two days they were looking almost everything in Singapore without concentrating the details because both were occupied with their thoughts and feelings.
“What was in your cover?” she asked.
“My cover has two tickets for a dinner in a cable car”, he smiled and asked about her cover. “You are lucky”, she murmured, but did not answer his question. It was my secret, she thought.

Raman told her about the cable dining. This two hour romantic dinner takes place in the cabin about 110 m above the sea.
“The cabins are made for four and some old couple come there to share their time with us”, she said. He thought that everything was like a dream. In this Saturday, he would dine with Geetha, bring her back home and say good bye to her and that was it, he thought. He wanted to tell many things, but somehow he did not find the right words. The romantic dinner was magnificent and they enjoyed their stay in the cable car and the wonderful scenery below and around them made them feel they were in a different planet. They were talking about everything and he noticed that her eyes were very loving when she looked at him. Before they left she asked the waiter about the empty seats, he checked in his cards and told that Family Arunachalam did not turn up. She thanked her father in her mind for this wonderful evening.

Raman dropped Geetha at her home and had tea with Mr. Arunachalam. He thanked him for the dinner in the cable car and Mr. Arunachalam smiled, but from his face he could not read anything. At 10 p.m. he said good bye to all and in his room he felt that he was missing something.
“Am I missing Geetha?” he thought, “yes”, was the answer from his inner voice. He had mixed feelings and the past days were not at all giving him a clear picture about everything what had happened. He had his shower and slept soundly.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story – coming closer…

Chapter 4

It was a bungalow with a well maintained beautiful small garden; she opened the door and they both entered inside.

“Papa, Mamma, I have brought one guest”, she shouted and they waited in the hall. A man in his middle forties and his wife appeared. “They are my parents”, she said loudly, “This is Mr…” she stopped abruptly and asked him, “What is your name?” Her father laughed heartily and told that his daughter brought a guest without name.


Blood ran on Raman’s face and he introduced himself, “I am Raman from Chennai, sir”.
“I am Arunachalam”, her father said and they shook the hands, “I have here no Seetha but only Geetha”, and he pointed out his daughter.
“Now I also know her name”, was his answer. He said Vanakkam to her mother and they all sat in the sofas there.
“Do you want to drink coffee or tea or juice - mango, orange, pineapple and lemon - are available”, she said. Before he could answer Geetha told her mother that he is very hungry and she could make a South Indian meal with rice, sambar and vegetables. He protested only vaguely and wanted to drink only water.
“I will prepare something in 30 min”, said the mother, Geetha wanted to help her mother and they both disappeared from the hall.

“Now, tell me something about you”, asked her father, “it seems that you are a tourist here”. He narrated the purpose of his journey to Singapore. “I have finished my B.E., would like to work for one year and after that I want to do masters. My final aim is to get a doctorate later and do some applied research”.
“Not bad”, shouted Arunachalam, “We have come up in life without a doctorate, but now-a-days it is important to have one”.
“My uncle from Hamburg always says - well paid jobs are created only there, where research is done”, Raman said.
“It is a very wise statement”, was her father’s answer. “How was your college life; have you got many friends? You look tired but still you are very handsome. What about the girls running after you?” he grinned.
“Sir, I have friends in both sex and from my parents I have got very high moral values. According to that I am not prepared to seduce a girl or woman even in my mind”, he replied in a clear tone.
“It’s great”, muttered Arunachalam and thought who would be the lucky girl going to share his life. They were talking about Indian politics, finance crisis, the attractions in Singapore and many other things which men normally talk. Arunachalam wondered at the vast knowledge of this young man.

The meals were served and all sat together and ate. It was a wonderful South Indian food with rice, sambar, lady’s-finger, rasam and curd.
“Geetha helped me voluntarily today for the first time and we finished the cooking quickly”, said the mother. He saw for the first time the redness in her face but she had not uttered a word.

After the meals her father asked, “When are you flying back to Chennai?”
“I’m leaving on Sunday that means I have got another three days here in Singapore”, he answered.
“Geetha is leaving on Monday”, her father said.
“I’m going to show him Singapore and I have seen everything at least twice”, she said, “but with yours and mamma’s permission”, told Geetha.
“I have no objection, but my condition is come for the evening meals here”, said the mother.
“It’s Okay for me also”, confirmed her father.

Raman agreed to pick her up next morning at 9 a.m. and Mr. Arunachalam drove him to his hotel.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island. The Love Story – The Meeting…

Chapter 3

Suddenly Raman heard a voice. It was a parrot fortune teller (Kili Josyar) and he smiled at him and asked him to know his today’s fortune from his parrot. Although he has never done such things he accepted the offer without thinking much. It might be this wonderful environment which made him to accept this he thought. The parrot fortune teller mixed his cards and muttered something to his parrot. The parrot started searching a card in its own way and Raman thought that it took endless time. Why was he in such a hurry? he thought! Finally the voice of the fortune teller woke him up. He laughed with his whole face and told Raman that he had come here really to meet his fortune.

“My fortune, what do you mean by that?” Raman asked the parrot fortune teller.
“My parrot tells that you are about to meet the woman of your life here in Singapore, “was the fortune teller’s reply.
Raman laughed heartily and told the fortune teller that he had no idea because he has never thought in these lines - love, marriage, children and family. The parrot fortune teller answered him with his shining eyes that he was right.
“He who thinks about this always has no chance mostly in life and only the lucky one gets the opportunity and you belong to this group”, he said.
“This is your way to earn your bread and you have told this, but could you tell me where to find her?” he asked the fortune teller with a smile.
Fortune teller become serious muttered something to him then saw his parrot and the card once again and was silent for two minutes. Raman wanted to move on and go.
The voice of fortune teller stopped him, “Go to Sri Mariamman Temple in China Town and there you can find her. I want to give you one advice”, he muttered.
Raman looked at him curiously.
“Do not miss this chance”, were the final words of the parrot fortune teller.

For a moment Raman thought that everything was a dream and his mind did not believe what had happened. He had no problem to look at a beautiful girl without any evil designs. He was a person who believed that a girl or woman should not even be seduced in the mind. Such was his high moral standards. Now the thought or need to look a girl or a young woman with different eyes confused him. But something from inside him told that he should go to the China Town to see the Sri Mariamman Temple. What Sri Mariamman has planned for him he was curious to know.

Raman took the train and reached China town. He sat on a bench and started reading about the China Town. The history of China Town started around 1821 when the first Chinese arrived from Xiamen, Fujian province in China. They were all men and settled in the South of Singapore River which is known today as Telok Ayer. The local name of China Town is Niu Che Shui which means Bullock Cart Water. This name came because each one had to collect drinking water from the wells in Ann Siang Hill and Spring Street using bullock carts. Raman closed his eyes and the whole scene ran before his eyes and mentally he reached the 1820s. He read further about the China Town.

In China town lived others also and this secular nature of Singapore attracted him very much. Sri Mariamman Temple and the Jamae Mosque along South Bridge Road and the Al Abrar Mosque along Telok Ayer Street were the wonderful witness to this racially harmonious religious atmosphere in China Town. It was everywhere the same in Singapore told his inner voice. He took a Chinese cycle rickshaw and went to the South Bridge Road.

Raman stood in front of 244 South Bridge Road and saw the Sri Mariamman Temple for several minutes. It is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple built in Dravidian style in the downtown of China Town district of Singapore. Raman had seen several temples in Tamil Nadu and could see the most outstanding feature of the temple, its impressive entrance tower (gopuram). It was built with six tiers of sculptures of Hindu deities, several other figures and wonderful ornamental decorations. When he entered the temple, on his right he saw the sculpture of Lord Muruga and on the left the sculpture of Lord Krishna flanking the gopuram. He felt the vibrations and he was also filled with unexplainable joy. The different colours of the gopuram geared up his imaginations. His mind told him he would be seeing the woman wearing a blue sari. He tried to give an imaginary face and body to his thoughts but he was not in a position to think more about that. Was she somewhere here, he thought and at the same time he scolded himself because he started to believe the existence of this unknown woman in a blue sari.

It was around 1 p.m. and he did not feel hungry and decided to wait for this unknown woman. It was 5 p.m. when he saw a woman with a blue sari entering the temple. He could not see her face from where he was standing and decided to follow her. There were many people in the temple and it was easy for him to follow her. It was only 3 metres between them but there were many persons in between. He could see her gentle walk and her elegant movements, but there was no chance to see her face. Suddenly she stood as if something was pressing her back and turned her head back. It was only few seconds but his eyes photocopied her face. She was beautiful, but in her eyes he saw sadness he thought. When he wanted to follow her, alas! She was not there. He became nervous and tried to search around. But no luck, she was just not there. He was confused. Was it just imagination after all that? He returned to his hotel, had no mood to eat and could not even sleep. It was a sleepless night for him and next day morning he wanted to see the parrot fortune teller in Little India.

Raman was tired in the next morning, thought of lazing around in the bed a little longer without any aim. But he became ready quickly, had no interest to take breakfast. He only drank a cup of coffee and made his way to Little India. He wanted to talk to the parrot fortune teller, but he was no where to be seen. He remembered the words of the fortune teller, “Go to Sri Mariamman Temple, there you will see your princess”. He was in panic when he thought he might miss her totally and took a taxi and reached Sri Mariamman Temple.

It was a warm day in China town, people were moving here and there, he could see many Indians and persons from all other races there, but nobody was wearing a blue sari nor had any of them those beautiful but sad eyes.
“If I see her I will not follow her, I will not wait, but I will talk to her immediately”, he said to himself. Every minute of wait there seemed as long as many days, he felt. He even had the doubt whether he was the same Raman who came to Singapore two days back. He was waiting there more than 7 hours and very tired without breakfast and lunch. What I saw yesterday was only a Phantom he thought. He wanted to go back to his hotel but at the same time thought that she might come and if he went back to the hotel he would miss her. He was very much disappointed and slowly started to hate himself because his current fixation of meeting the beauty in the blue sari. At the same time he wondered also how much he could suffer from the thoughts of that unknown woman.

Finally she came. That young woman – but in a different blue sari -came. She was slim, elegant, walking like a gazelle and walked past him with her beautiful face, but sad eyes. She might come up above my shoulder, he thought. Her hair was long and he has never seen such a beautiful young woman in his life. He was now neither hungry, nor tired but only wanted to talk to her. With five big steps he reached her and with a BIG SMILE IN HIS FACE, he said, “Hi, how are you?”
She stopped walking and replied, “Hello, what do you want?”
“I am new from India and want to talk to you”, he said.
“I am also new here”, she replied him with her big eyes.
“It’s wonderful and we can see Singapore together”, he suggested.
“Why are you looking so tired?” she asked.
“How long are you here?” he asked.
“Two weeks, I have seen almost everything, I find this temple is wonderful and coming here daily”, she replied.
“With a blue sari everyday?” he smiled.
“How long are you here?” she asked.
“Three days”, he replied, “I haven’t seen anything”, he smiled.
She looked at him with her beautiful eyes and he could see the lines in her forehead.
“What is wrong with you? What are you doing here? Why are you so tired? Are you sick?” she asked him and her face was serious now.
“I was waiting for you from yesterday midday and had no time to eat”, he murmured slowly. He could see the surprise in her eyes and she was quiet for a minute. He was also silent, his nerves were completely down and he could feel his tiredness.
“Why can’t we sit somewhere in a café and talk”, he said to her.
“I have no objection, there is a café very near here and we can go there”, she answered him and started walking. He followed her silently; they walked for 5 minutes without talking anything and he thought it was like 5 years for him. They entered the café and she selected a place from where they could see the road.
“What do you want to eat?” she asked him.
“I will have a big ice cream, I am very hungry”, he replied slowly.
“I will have a cup of coffee”, she told and they ordered. While they waited for the ice cream and coffee he started to think about what would happen. He wanted to say everything to her and thought she might think that he was mad. She looked in his eyes deeply, asked herself why he was waiting for her and she had no idea who he was. She thought that he was a stranger, but she would like to sit with him to drink her coffee; would like to hear his story. She had also no explanations why she was giving such importance to this young man whose name she did not even know.

Raman ate his ice cream quickly and she was noticing him very keenly. After he finished eating his ice cream he asked her whether she thought that he was mad or some of his screws were loose.
“Why did you wait for me? I don’t know who you are”, she said.
“I’m Raman from Chennai, India and I’m here for a week before I start working in three weeks. This Singapore tour is a gift from my uncle who is living in Hamburg, Germany. I was not interested in a package tour and so I came on my own here” he told.
“You have not answered my question”, she told, “If you are not telling me the reason for your waiting I will get up and go out”.
“If I tell you the reason you will surely think that I am mad”, Raman replied.
“Whether you are mad or not, is not my problem, but I want to know the reason. If you are not willing to talk to me I have to go now”, she said and made herself ready to get up. “I don’t want to waste my time, everybody has problems”, she told. He saw the sadness in her eyes once again.

“Who are you? What is your name? What are you doing here?” he wanted to know.
“You won’t get any answer from me because it is your turn to talk, be frank, moreover, I don’t want to repeat my questions”, she told, “In one way or other we all are mad and so what I think about you is not important here”.
He looked at her and knew that she was going to leave him if he did not start speaking.

“It is a big story and listen to it carefully”, he said.
They ordered two more cups of coffee and she was eagerly waiting for his story.
“Stories or dreams I like them very much and I hope yours will be interesting”, she smiled, “In 30 minutes I must go; my parents will be waiting for me”.
“Are you a native of Singapore”, before he could finish his sentence she asked him to stop talking unnecessarily and she got up and walked away.

Raman threw some dollars for the bill and ran behind her and shouted, “Come, I will tell you everything”.
She turned at him with a generous smile, “That sounds good”, she told. They walked further and he was not sure how to begin and end. She was restless and she wanted to know everything immediately. In this respect all the women were same she thought. They entered in a park and it was full of people and sat in a corner. She showed him her ear and told that she is prepared to hear his story. Everything in her was beautiful, but I must be careful, he thought.

Raman started from his uncle’s gift, one week holiday in Singapore and his decision not to take a package tour because he liked his freedom in this tour. He laughed and told that he was right. If he could have come with a group he could never take so much time to find her. She enjoyed his laugh and thought that he was very handsome. He was surely more than 10 cm taller than her and she remembered all her conversations with her friends about young men. He was tired but she would find out why, she was very much convinced. He told slowly what happened in Little India and all about the parrot fortune teller. She was listening very carefully; every word of his was saved in her head very clearly. Did she come all the way from Madurai to Singapore to meet this young, handsome and interesting man, she thought?

He finished by saying slowly, “that is how he came to wait for her in the Sri Mariamman Temple”. Her eyes were closed and it seemed that she was trying to digest this unexpected happening. He looked at her charming face deeply and waited.
“Come and we will go to Little India and search the parrot fortune teller once again,” said she and stopped a taxi. She asked the taxi driver to go to Sri Veeramakaliamman temple and both were sitting silent. In Little India he showed her the place where he met the parrot fortune teller. They walked the whole area with the hope of meeting him. She asked some of the shops, but nobody has seen him for the past two days. Finally she suggested that they could go to her house and meet her parents and he might get good food from her mother.

He looked at her with a smile and said, “That means you are from here”.
She laughed and told, “Yes, I am here for the last 14 days and I will stay here also another 5 days more. I am sad because I have to leave alone to India and my parents will stay back here”.
“Why can’t you stay here with your parents and Singapore is wonderful”, he said.
“I would like to finish my masters in Madurai and after that I could think of doing MBA here and that is the reason why I am sad. I love my parents and I am the only daughter. They are also sad but don’t want to show because they know that in this case I suffer more”, she said. “The rest you can ask them, come, we will go”, with these words she got up and went to the taxi stand.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan: Ramar Island - The Love Story…

Chapter 1

Raman read the letter from his uncle for the umpteenth time. It was from his uncle who lives in Hamburg, Germany. Raman has just finished his B.E. His uncle has presented him a week’s holiday in Singapore for his good B.E. results.

“Go to Singapore for a week and see the difference between India and Singapore and dream to make something good for India”, was the main message in his uncle’s letter.

Raman tried to remember his days in Germany with his parents when they visited his uncle. He was at that time 7 or 8 years old. For a boy at that age everything was wonderful and unforgettable; from the flight to everything else that he saw and understood. Hamburg, where his uncle lives, is the greenest city in Europe, has more bridges than Paris and more canals than Amsterdam. It is the cleanliness everywhere and the German technique that went deep and stayed in his mind. It is green everywhere in spring with lot of different colourful flowers. The cleanliness everywhere and the precision in the technique were surprising to his young mind.

Three things he could still remember very well:

The old Elbe Tunnel where the car was taken down and then up with a lift to drive below the river Elbe. He even saw pedestrians walking through that tunnel under the river.

Next was the modern Elbtunnel below the River Elbe where every tube has two lanes for the cars. It is also a part of the highways. As he came out of the Tunnel he could see the Hamburg-Harbour with its big ships. Hamburg is a river harbour, 7th biggest in the world and to reach the North Sea the ships have to travel in the river Elbe 120 km.

Finally the most interesting thing he saw was in Heidelberg, the University City in South Germany. During the boat tour in the river Neckar he found that the ship was carried up more than 10 metres upwards and then brought down to travel downwards. This was done in an interesting way. The ship entered inside the tank and then the door was tightly closed. Now lot of water was pumped inside the tank and the ship went up automatically with the water level. When the required level is reached, the door of the tank was opened and the ship travelled further upwards. It happened several times in the river of Neckar. It was also interesting if the ship has to come down. The tank was closed when the ship was inside and the water was let out and the ship went down automatically till it reached the lower level of the river. When the door was opened the ship could travel downstream without any problem. These are the master works of German engineering. As a boy he never forgot these experiences and as a young man he saw the world with full of opportunities. He also realised that he was in the right place - the emerging India.

Raman decided to accept the tour to Singapore; he had his passport already and the rest was only a routine with the travel agent. He has prepared well for the places he wanted to see in Singapore and slowly his mind also accepted this fun for few days before he has to start his work.

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan : Ramar Island

For the next 14 days daily a part of the book "Ramar Island" will be published

Foreword

I read through the manuscript of Ramar Island in one stretch with the curiosity of reading through a romantic novel and became convinced of the author’s mettle / gift to write serious novels, besides his several other gifts. But I know, writing a novel is not his primary objective; he has used this novel only as a sugar coating to present a bitter medicament for the disputed Sethu Samudram Canal Project.


It is now more than a year since the project work has been started and abruptly stopped because of certain objections coming from different quarters.

No one disputes the wisdom of having such a canal facilitating ships to pass through the shortest route instead of going around Sri Lanka. This would indeed contribute to the development of the economy in India in general and the people of drought stricken Ramanathapuram area in particular. But the dispute is over the question where to have the canal. Strong religious sentiments and ecological concerns have been raised against the present route approved by the Government of India, where work has been started. It is in this context, with a deep concern for the welfare of India, the author, Dr. Kaniappan Padmanaban has given us this proposal of Ramar Island with an alternative route plan for the canal.

The proposal of Dr. Kaniappan Padmanaban is worth studying by experts. I, being a person, who has had no personal knowledge of the disputed site and who do not have the expertise to comment on the feasibility of this project, can only point out to the advantages, if it can be carried out. First, it is a compromise proposal taking into consideration of all the concerns expressed. Religious sentiments of people are not hurt; ecological damages are avoided. The flora and fauna in the Gulf of Mannar is preserved. Secondly, the dream of Ramar Island becoming an economic zone of prosperity like Singapore boosting the economy of the people living around being realized is something worth considering seriously.

Dr. Kaniappan Padmanaban and his wife Janaki have been our family friends for nearly forty years. While living in Germany, we had close contacts. I have always admired Dr. Kaniappan Padmanaban’s high intellectual calibre and his wide range of knowledge. As a medical scientist he has contributed a lot in his own field while serving in Hamburg. Now after his retirement it is great that he thought of sharing the rich experiences and knowledge he gained over the decades for the benefit of the public through his publications. I congratulate him heartily on all his achievements. The book Ramar Island adds one more pearl to his crown. I am sure, the book will become very popular as an interesting novel, even attracting some film makers, and his alternative for the Sethu Project will draw the attention of experts in government and political circles. I wish him and his publishing programme all success.


June24, 2009

Dr. Gnana Robinson

Founder President
Peace Trust-Kanyakumari
Former Principal of United Theological College-
Bangalore
Former Principal of

Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary- Madurai

Sethu Samudram Project - An Alternative Plan : Ramar Island

Rameswaram Island and Mandapam – I had been there for the first time when I did my staff training as a Research Assistant in Tamil Nadu Fisheries after my studies. That was in the beginning of 1970s. The rich flora and fauna in that area fascinated me – the coral reefs, the beautiful color fishes, the snakes in Krusadai - the Mecca of zoology students from all the universities in our world, above all the dancing dolphins, to tell a few.

When I read about the Sethu Samudram Project I thought it was wonderful to have a short sea route instead of traveling round Sri Lanka. Then I thought of the rich flora and fauna and about the Ram Setu or Ramar Bridge or Adam’s Bridge. Ramayana, we all know well and I don’t want to destroy this mythological bridge also. I always respect the religious feelings of others and this is our family tradition. I wanted to have a solution which will not hurt anybody and come good to India.

I had the idea in 2006, but there was no response at that time. In 2008 I gave this to my cousin’s son Sakthi and his wife, Vaan to read. They found the theme very interesting. Sakthi wanted me to write a book on my idea and we all have forgotten this completely. Two weeks before I left to Hamburg, Germany, i.e. 27th April 2009, Sakthi remembered me and told me that I should make it a love story so that it would be more interesting. “A love story!” I wondered. Sakthi suggested we, the young people go through it and change if it is necessary. I had to give a lecture in Virudhunagar and stayed in Sivakasi because of non-availability of a hotel room in Virdhunagar because of the marriage season. Janaki and I booked the ticket for II class A/C to Sivakasi. Sakthi was in Egmore railway station to give us send off. I was lying in my birth, closed my eyes and thought about the love story which I should write. I didn’t sleep the whole night and when we got down in Sivakasi railway station I had the idea.

The first half of the story is happening in Singapore and I wanted to visit Singapore before I write this book. In the hotel before going to our room we wanted to drink a cup of coffee and went to the breakfast room. It was around 7 a.m. in the morning. One family was sitting there. We said good morning and they replied. After that the man came to us and told that they have come here to visit their family temple. Casualy I ask him where he is from. He said we are from Singapore and he is a police inspector there. I was wondering about the coincidence to my Ram Setu love story and Singapore and I meet immediately this gentleman. We talked and I told my idea. He asked me to come there at least for one week and he would arrange me to see everything in Singapore. Later when I wanted to go he was deputed to New Zealand for five months and I didn’t go.

Back in home, in Hamburg, I enjoyed the climate and after few days started to write. The result is the book –“Sethu Samudram Project, Ramar Island”. I like this story very much and the friends who read this book were surprised and asked how could I write such a wonderful love story? Back in Chennai, India, end of July 2009 we have printed this. I want to inform all the Indians and well wishers of India to read this in my blog and help to fulfill this noble cause. Every day one chapter will be written here.

I tell you one thing. If my dream becomes a reality then it will be golden egg laying duck for the emerging Super Power India.

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