Work Like A Squirrel...
(Synopsis of Green Resilient Rameswaram Action plan unveiled and showcased by Sri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, Dr S. Natarajan, IAS District Collector, Ramnad and Sri G. Vasudeo, Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra- Nardep)
In 2013, on the eve of Swami Vivekananda 150th birth centenary celebrations: Vivekananda Kendra started a program for rehabilitating traditional water bodies (Teerthas) in the island of Rameswaram.This initiative was blessed by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam and has strengthened the Green Rameshwaram Project,
which is a part of the Island Development Committee. The projects are implemented in collaboration with the central and state governments, District Administration, Municipality, and from the contributions of community and corporate.
Green Resilient Rameswaram Action plan is prepared based on the projects implemented so far and in consultation with Stakeholders as a part of the Visioning Exercise carried out under the Chairmanship of Island Development Committee, Dr S. Natarajan, IAS, District Collector. The action plan comprises of 11 verticals namely, Water management, Waste management, Renewable Energy, Eco Tourism with Green Transport, Landscaping and Beautification, Marine biodiversity, Green Health, New merchandise and Livelihoods, Heritage, Social Capital and Policy advocacy.It envisages 27 goals with the project outlay of Rs 24.02 crore seeking the support of Central, State, Corporates and Community. The project partners working for the cause are Hand in Hand. India, C P R Environmental Research Foundation, REACH Foundation, Basil Electronics, Green Pilgrimage Network and Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai
The Synopsis of Green Resilient Rameswaram Action plan was unveiled by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mandapam, Ramnad District. The recipients of the plan document are Dr S. Natarajan, IAS, District Collector and Sri G. Vasudeo, Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra – Natural Resources Development Project. In his address to the public, he lauded the efforts of Vivekananda Kendra and District administration and called for every citizen and pilgrim to develop the nation like the squirrel which contributed for constructing the Ramar bridge. Earlier, Sri Edappadi K. Palaniswamy, Chief Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu in his address shared the efforts of the state in particular about the tourism at Dhanushkodi and the allocation made for Drainage. He thanked the Prime Minister for the support under AMRUT and Swadesh Darshan Scheme for making the Rameswaram Island a place worthy of visit for pilgrims. Sri M Venkaiah Naidu, MP, welcomed the gathering and Sri Pon.Radhakrishnan, Union Minister of state for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways gave vote of thanks.