November 2021
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
Very important lesson by Siddharth to all of us.
Along the bottom of River Ganga there lived a village of creatures whose way of life was to cling tightly to the rocks of the river bed and to resist the current of the river. One of them Siddharth the Adventurous got tired of clinging. His monotony wearied him. He decided to trust himself to the current of the river and to allow it to take him where it would. His parents and friends cautioned him against the current… “It will smash you against the rocks and kill you”. But Siddharth heeded them not and let go. Immediately he was stumbled and tossed against the hard rocks, but harder grew Siddharth’s resolve not to cling again. In time the current lifted him free from the bottom, and he got bruised and hurt no more. The downstream creatures saw him and marveled at him and hailed him as “Mahan” – the greatest. Siddharath in the current said “I am not greater than any of you. Dare to let go and the river will lift you free and you will discover your true worth”.
We always remember the above story while working for “Green Rameswaram Project”. We are not worried about the final outcome as the journey itself is a joyous learning.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog writes on – COP Explained – Part I
- Shri.Rangarajan’s regular blog followed by a story of Kalanjiam Muneeswaran Temple
- Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai
- Dr.A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center writes about the herbal plant – Lemon Grass
- In Green health – we covered the regular yoga activities
- Livelihood Opportunities covers – Pasumai group’s activities
- In Landscaping and beautification covered the tree plantation work
- Revival and Renovation of Krishna Teertham – photo gallery
- In Social capital Teertha Poojas, Deepa poojas, meeting with Dist. collector, regular webinars and finally ‘Green Rameswaram newsletter’ by the students and for the students of Rameswaram
With best wishes,
Editorial Team
Green Rameswaram Project
Mahabeer Dharmasala
Rameswaram – 623526
Tamilnadu.
Ph: 04573 – 222296(office)
E-mail: greenrameswaram@gmail.com
Web: www.greenrameswaram.org
Newsletters
COP Explained – Part 1
Dear Friends,
Recently, the COP-26 concluded in Glasgow. In this blog, I shall try to briefly explain the background of COP and some of its principal achievements. COP’s full form is Conference of the Parties. This inter-governmental body is the supreme decision-making body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). While tracing the history of the COPs, we must remember that the process of international negotiations is an extremely difficult task, as it is necessary to arrive at some agreement, and multiple pulls and pressures come into play.
Rare book – Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami
This classical work on Sri Ramanatha Swami of Rameswaram was composed by “Palapattadai Chokkanatha Pillai”. This work was discovered by Sri U.Ve. Saminatha Iyer after comparing multiple versions. He also wrote a commentary on this rare text.
With the blessings of Lord Ramanatha Swami, Mother Parvathavardhini & Lord Rama, here is an attempt to provide a reasonable translation of this work, in English. Any error can be ascribed to me.
Solid Waste Management
Door-to-Door Collection and Garbage Segregation:
Irrespective of the pandemic scenario, the green friends continued to serve the community and ensured cleanliness of Rameswaram Municipality. Door-to-Door waste collection and segregation along with street cleaning carried out uninterruptedly.
Source Segregation Demo Programme:
Source Segregation demo programme organized on 19th, 20th, 25th and 30th of November at Maravar Street (Ward – 20), Kalavai Street (Ward – 20), Chettiyar Street (Ward – 3) and Kattupillayar Kovil street (Ward – 14). During the demonstration progaramme, staff and green friends gave brief orientation to the households about the types of wastes, segregation of waste and the significance and benefits of recycling and environment at large.
Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam) Lemon Grass
Distribution and Habitat
Cymbopogon citratus (L.) is a fragrant herb belonging to the Poaceae family. It is native to India, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. It is found growing naturally in tropical grasslands. It is extensively cultivated throughout tropical Asia. It is a tufted perennial grass growing to a height of 2.5 meter with numerous stiff leafy stems arising from short rhizomatous roots. Leaves are not basally aggregated; non-articulate. The leaf-blade is linear, tapered at both ends and can grow to a length of 50 cm, width 1.5 cm. The leaf-sheath is tubular in shape and acts as a pseudo stem. Leaves are long glaucous, green, linear tapering upwards and along the margins.
Green Health
Regular Yoga Classes
Yoga classes has been held regularly at Green Rameswaram office. Around 35 gents attend the session in the morning and 40 ladies in the evening. Every Sunday meditation class is held. Shri.Balasubramaniam and Shri.Durai Raj who helped as in conducting the SATYAM project earlier were given certificate of appreciation by Shri.Hegdeji.
“Livelihood Opportunities”
This month few associates took a leave hence no new group promotions took place. Thus the total groups stands – 116 with 1429 members. However, regular meetings were held.
Green Transport
In this month 4841 pilgrims took advantage of our service. Out of which, we gave free service to 45 Senior citizens, 36 children and 12 differentlyable.
Landscaping and Beautification
Collecting Palm Seeds
On 11 November 2021 we have collected one tractor full of Palm seeds from Ram Park belonging to HR&CE. Thanks to the volunteers from HIH and Neithal Friends groups for their efforts.
Palm Seeds plantations work
On 12 November 2021 and 15 November 2021 massive plantation drive was taken up at Pasupatti pamban. Pasupatti belongs to Sri Ramanathasamy Temple and 77 volunteers from SPA girls higher secondary school, Neithal vattara friends and Panchayat workers joined the efforts in planting palm Seeds. Shri.Kannan NRI gave the breakfast to all the volunteers.
