2021
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
The Law of Wasted Effort.

Do you know that lions only succeed in a quarter of their hunting attempts — which means they fail in 75% of their attempts and succeed in only 25% of them.
Despite this small percentage shared by most predators, they don’t despair in their pursuit and hunting attempts.
The main reason for this is not because of hunger as some might, think but it is the understanding of the “Law of Wasted Efforts” that has been instinctively built into animals, a law by which nature is governed.
Half of the eggs of fish are eaten… half of the baby bears die before puberty… most of the world’s rain falls in the oceans… and most of the seeds of trees are eaten by birds.
Scientists have found that animals, trees, and other forces of nature are more receptive to the “law of wasted efforts”.
Only humans think that the lack of success in a few attempts is failure… but the truth is that: we only fail when we “stop trying”.
Success is not to have a life free of pitfalls and falls… but success is to walk over your mistakes and go beyond every stage where your efforts were wasted, looking forward to the next stage. If there is a phrase that summarizes this world, it will simply be: Continue all over again.
The ‘Green Rameswaram project’ started in the year 2014 and since last eight years, we have hardly made any significant progress and so the feeling of failure engulfs us many times. But then such stories – “Law of Wasted Efforts” tells us that “We only fail when we stop trying” and so we continue to try…..
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog writes on – COP Explained – Part II
- 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 – Henna
- Livelihood Opportunities – covers Pasumai group’s activities
- In Social capital Teertha Poojas, Deepa poojas, Gita Jayanti, regular yoga classes 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
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
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
A 14-year-old Indian girl from Tamil Nadu Vinisha Umashankar spoke at the COP26 meet (Glasgow Climate Change Conference) where she mesmerised everyone with a powerful speech. Vinisha called for an urgent action on the climate front, saying that many of her generation are angry at world leaders. She said that she has no time for anger, as this was the time for action. Please listen her short 3.5 minute powerful speech https://youtu.be/CgKpxBKW-6o to get an inspiration to work for climate change in your own small way like a Rama’s squirrel as we are doing it at Rameswaram.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog writes on – Land Use and Land Use Change and Forestry
- Shri.Rangarajan’s regular blog followed by Teertha yatra by 12 women from Madurai to the renovated Teerthas at Rameswaram.
- Regular 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 – Ivy Gourd
- Livelihood Opportunities – covers Pasumai group’s activities
- Revival and Renovation of Krishna Teertham – photo gallery
- In Social capital Teertha Pooja, Mass cleaning of water bodies, 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
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,

The Sixth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group-1, has issued ‘code red’ to humanity as we rush towards a planet hotter by 1.5oC by 2040.
According to the Global Carbon Atlas, India ranks third in total greenhouse gas emissions, with ~2.6 billion tonnes (bt) CO2 equivalent, preceded by China (10 bt) and the US (5.4 bt), and followed by Russia (1.7 bt) and Japan (1.2 bt). Of these top five absolute emitters, the US has the highest per capita emissions (15.24 tonnes), followed by Russia (11.12 tonnes). India’s per capita emissions are just 1.8 tonnes, significantly lower than the world average of 4.4 tonnes. However, 22 of the 30 most-polluted cities in the world are in India, it should be a major cause of concern for India. Thus it is high time for all of us to start thinking of adapting green technologies everywhere to reduce GHG.
We at Rameswaram are advocating such technologies right from the beginning of starting the project in the year 2014.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog writes on – Engineering Carbon Sinks
- Shri.Rangarajan, Chennai covers a rare book – Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami
- Regular Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai
- Landscaping and Beautification – Tree plantation drive
- Livelihood Opportunities – covers Pasumai group’s activities
- Green transport – E-Rickshaws
- Revival and Renovation of Parameswara Teertham
- In Social capital Teertha pooja, Teertham cleaning, 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
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
David Attenborough’s latest nature documentary on Netflix may be his greatest yet. Apparently stung by criticism about the false impressions his documentaries have provided on the state of our natural world, Attenborough has produced a witness statement outlining the changes to the environment over his 94-year existence and solutions to the biodiversity crisis he has lived through. At last, Attenborough clearly illustrates the devastating impact humanity has had on our planet. Do not miss this informative trailer https://youtu.be/64R2MYUt394
It is time, we start “Thinking Globally and Act Locally” and as David Attenborough says – We need to learn how to work with nature rather than against it. We at Rameswaram trying to practice it in our own small way while creating Green Resilient Rameswaram.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog wants to “Build Planetary Stewards” to save the planet.
- Shri.Rangarajan, Chennai covers Azhwar Songs on Ram-Sethu
- Regular Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai
- Dr.A.Abirami, Programme Officer of C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center writes about the herbal plant – Kodikalli
- Livelihood Opportunities – covers Pasumai group’s activities and Green transport
- Revival and Renovation of Parameswara Teertham
- In Social capital Teertham cleaning, Independence’s day celebrations, 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
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
The IPCC report titled ‘Climate Change 2021 released on 9th August said heat waves and humid heat stress will be more intense and frequent during the 21st century over South Asia
Glacial retreat in the Hindu Kush Himalayas; compounding effects of sea-level rise and intense tropical cyclones leading to flooding; an erratic monsoon; and intense heat stress are likely to impact India in recent years. Most of these impacts are irreversible and hence cannot be remediated even if greenhouse gas emissions decline dramatically, the IPCC said.
Many scientists and environmentalists while writing on this report are rightly saying that the past assessments have been disregarded as sensationalist. However, this time warning is against the folly of a business-as-usual development model. Green Rameswaram project right from its inception is suggesting “Green Resilient Rameswaram”, keeping the people and nature at the center of development.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog continues to write on the role of Nature as Stakeholder in the development paradigm
- Shri.Rangarajan, Chennai covers a few extracts from the rare book – ‘Dhevaiula’ on Ramanathaswami
- Regular Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai
- Dr.A.Abirami, Programme Officer of C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center writes about the herbal plant – Karpooravalli
- Landscaping and Beautification – Tree plantation at VAO Office, Mandapam Panchayat by Green Rameswaram team
- “Community Yoga Protocol to Promote Innate Immunity” under Green Health
- “Livelihood Opportunities” covers Pasumai group’s activities
- Green transport covers starting of E-Rickshaws again at Rameswaram
- Bhoomi pooja for Revival and Renovation of Parameswara Teertham
- In Social capital our service to the community during the 2nd wave of the pandemic, Deepa pooja, Guru poornima celebrations and regular webinars. 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
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
Martina Navratilova was once asked, “How do you maintain your focus, physique and sharp game even at the age of 43?”
She gave a humble reply,
“The ball doesn’t know how old I am”. You need to stop yourself from stopping yourself. Every game in life is actually played on a 6-inch ground – the space between your two ears. We don’t live in bungalows, duplexes, or flats. We live in our mind which is an unlimited area. Life is great when things are sorted and uncluttered there. Keeping the mind messy with hatred growing on the table, regrets piling up in the corner, expectations boiling in the kitchen, secrets stuffed under the carpet, and worries littered everywhere ruin this real home.
The key factor to performing well in life and in every arena is the ability to control the quality and quantity of your “internal dialogue”. Performance is potential minus internal interference. Live in peace, not in pieces.”
Similar highly inspiring quotes and deeds were of our former President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam. He too in his famous autobiography, “Wings of Fire” tells us about the immense potentialities every one of us have. Incidentally, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inaugurated ‘Green Resilient Rameswaram’ project in the year 2014. Hope, we will realise his dream in the coming years….
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr. Sanjay Banerji in his blog writes about Sustainable Development Goal– 13 (Climate Action)
- Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai.
- Dr.A.Abirami, Programme Officer of C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center writes about the herbal plant – Ashwagandha (Amukkira)
- In the Green health section, Handing over of the Medical Equipments to Ramanathapuram Medical hospital by Gandhigram Trust – (sponsored by NSEF, Mumbai
- Revival and Renovation of Traditional water bodies – Gaja Teerthams by Vivekananda Kendra – Nardep and Rongli competition by Hand in Hand India Inclusive Development Services
- Regular events for building Social capital 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

Land Use and Land Use Change and Forestry

Dear Friends,
We shall deal with reversing the GHG emissions from Land Use and Land Use Change in this month.
This is a very important but complex topic and is commonly abbreviated as LULUCF meaning Land Use and Land Use Change and Forestry. This forms one of the nine planetary boundaries. The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published a special report in January 2020 on the subject, and my blog is based primarily on this report [1]. I shall try to pick up only a small part of this comprehensive report for understanding the role of land in climate change.


COP Explained – Part II

Dear Friends,
The following timeline captures the significant milestones on the UNFCCC – Conferences of the Parties (COP) [3]. We cover up to COP 17 held in 2011 in this blog. We shall cover the rest in the next month.


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 demonstration programme organized on 5th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 25th of December at New Street (Ward No. 2), Kattupillayaur kovil Street (ward No.14), Maravar Street (Ward No. 20), Kalavai Street (Ward No. 20), Easwariamman kovil street (Ward No. 21) Chettiyar Street (Ward No. 3) and Earukadu (Ward No.14).


Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam) Henna

Distribution and Habitat
Lawsonia inermis (L.) is a shrub or small tree of the family Lythraceae. This plant is cultivated in many regions as an ornamental and commercial dye crop. It is mostly found in the tropic, sub-tropic and semi-arid zones of Africa, south Asia and north Australia.
It is a much branched, slender, evergreen shrub or small tree. It usually grows up to 6-25 feet tall. The stems and other branches can be spiny. The leaves grow opposite each other on the stem. Flowers are heavily scented, ovate with white or red stamens. Fruits are small, brownish capsule, 4-8 mm in diameter.

“Livelihood Opportunities”

Indian Bank Account opening process held at Green Rameswaram office
On 21 December 2021 Indian Bank Staff Sister Renuka came down to Green Rameswaram officeto open 6 groups accounts and 11 SB accounts for individual members.
Thus Financial Inclusion was ensured in the process of Account opening. Sister Renuka explained to all the members the process of account opening and importance of being regular in payments and finance.


Social Capital

1.Hara Teertham
On 09 December 2021 Teertha pooja was organized at Hara Teertham. 12 ladies participated in the event.
2.Panacha Teertham
Panacha Teertham Teertha Pooja was organized on 10 December 2021. 13 local members participated.

Green Rameswaram newsletter (Tamil)
For students….
From students ..
16th issue – December 2021
