December 2024

Read Covering Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
December 2024, Vol.9; No.10

Dear Friends,

Namaskaram.

According to an old Native American legend,
one day there was a big fire in the forest.
All the animals fled in terror in all directions, because it was a very violent fire.

Suddenly,
the jaguar saw a hummingbird pass over his head,
but in the opposite direction.
The hummingbird flew towards the fire!
Whatever happened,
he wouldn’t stop.

Moments later,
the jaguar saw him pass again,
this time in the same direction as the jaguar was walking.
He could observe this coming and going until he decided to ask the bird about it because it
seemed very bizarre behavior.

“What are you doing, hummingbird?”
he asked.

“I am going to the lake,” he answered,
“I drink water with my beak and throw it on the fire to extinguish it.”
The jaguar laughed.
‘Are you crazy?
Do you really think that you can put out that big fire on your own with your very small beak?’

‘No,’ said the hummingbird,
‘I know I can’t.
But the forest is my home.
It feeds me,
it shelters me and my family.
I am very grateful for that.
And I help the forest grow by pollinating its flowers.
I am part of her and the forest is part of me.
I know I can’t put out the fire,
but I must do my part.’
At that moment,
the forest spirits,
who listened to the hummingbird,
were moved by the birdie and its devotion to the forest.
And miraculously they sent a torrential downpour,
which put an end to the great fire.

The Native American grandmothers would occasionally tell this story to their grandchildren,
then conclude with,
“Do you want to attract miracles into your life?
Do your part.”

Listen to the story by clicking the following link:
https://youtu.be/CMrEJ4oT7gc?si=_a7wdrhfLiPMuWvI

We at Green Rameswaram also follow the above principle by reminding ourselves that our role is only of the squirrel and never get disheartened by our slow progress or failures with a hope that a miracle will happen.

This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:

  • Usual work carried out by Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services in “Solid waste management”
  • Dr. A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Betel Vine (Vetrilai)
  • In Landscaping and Beautification, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” – Special Plantation drive Programme
  • Regular Teertha Poojas and Awareness programme
  • In Livelihood – Eco-tourism and Tailoring classes
  • In Social capital – Village level competitions, Students competitions, SHG competitions, Gita Jayanti, Palsuvai Nigalchi, Navy day celebration, Webinars and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.

With best wishes,

Editorial Team
Green Rameswaram Project
Railway Feeder Road, Opp. To Hotel Vinayaka
Rameswaram – 623526
Ph: 04573 – 299496(office)
E-mail: greenrameswaram@gmail.com
Web:  www.greenrameswaram.org

Newsletters

Newsletter Category Filter

Solid Waste Management

by
Hand in Hand Inclusive Development and Services, Chennai

Door to Door Waste Collection and Segregation Programmes:

Everyday door-to-door waste collection and source segregation along with street cleaning were carried out uninterruptedly.

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Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam) Vetrilai

by
Dr.A.Abirami
C.P.R. Environmental Education Center, Chennai

Distribution and Habitat:

The Betel (Piper betle Linn.) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family. The most likely place of origin of this plant is Malaysia but it is also cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma and Nepal. It grows in dry, loam and clay soils that contain high amount of detritus, maintaining a pH of 7-7.5. The leaves are popularly known as paan leaves in India, which are consumed by about 15-20 million people in the country – a green leafy vine growing as a ground cover or small climber, very similar in growth habits to pepper.

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Landscaping and Beautification

by
Green Rameswaram Trust

“Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” – Special Plantation drive Programme

Programme for school children:

Venue: Vivekananda Vidyalaya Matric.Hr.Sec.School, Rameswaram
Date: 14th December 2024

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Livelihood Opportunities

by
Green Rameswaram Trust

Tailoring Classes
Free tailoring classes were organised on five Sundays. 10 members attended every week.

Green Transport
E-Autos reached out to 13385 pilgrims. Out of which, we have provided free services to Senior citizens 61 nos., children 83 nos. and differently-abled 11 nos.

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Maintenance of Renovated Traditional Water Bodies

by
Green Rameswaram Trust

Teertha Pooja

Our work of involving community in doing Teertha poojas is going on smoothly. Locals are trying to take the ownership of the programme with the help of SHG Coordinators and Yoga students. In this month, we could perform Teertha poojas at 45 Traditional water bodies with 312 volunteers participating in the activity. The details are given below.

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Social Capital

by
Green Rameswaram Trust

Village Level Competitions

The Pasumai Rameswaram Vilayattu Pottigal event, organized for bringing together the community through various fun-filled activities. The event featured several competitions such as Balloon Blowing, Lucky Corner, Memory Game, and Uriyadi, offering a platform for both individual and group participation. The event was a grand success, with vibrant participation from members of the community.

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Green Rameswaram newsletter (Tamil)

For students….
From students ..

52nd issue – December 2024

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