Newsletter - July 2024
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
In this month, we witnessed the worst manmade disaster at Wayanad, Kerala. Kerala forms a part of the Western Ghats that is considered the ‘protector’ of the Indian peninsula. Its rich biodiversity is nourished by moderate tropical temperatures along the coast of Arabian Sea, and a good amount of rainfall.
But in recent years, the Arabian Sea often deviated from its calm nature under the influence of increasing cyclones. Since 2019, the region has experienced four major storms and the frequency of intense tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea is expected to increase in the coming years. In addition, the unplanned and uncontrolled development took the heavy toll. Hope, the authorities at every level from Panchayat onwards will learn the lessons and will opt for real sustainable development. We on our part are trying to create “Green Resilient Rameswaram” since the year 2013.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji writes on “Sustainable Living-2”
- Shri.Rangarajan continues to translate a few shlokas from the rare book on Ramanathaswami Temple
- 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 – Bramhadhandi (Swarnakshiri)
- In Social capital - Teertha Poojas, Guru Poornima celebrations, Mangrove Forest plantation, Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal’s visit, Green transport, Webinars and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.
With best wishes,
Editorial TeamGreen Rameswaram Project
Mahabeer Dharmasala
Rameswaram - 623526
Tamilnadu.
Ph: 04573 - 222296(office)
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.greenrameswaram.org
Sustainable Living - 2
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Amrita.
Last month, we started this new series on the theme of Sustainable Living / Sustainable Lifestyle. After providing a brief overview of its planned contents, we discussed in some details, ‘What is sustainability?’ Continuing on the theme, here are a few additional points on sustainability.
A 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.
Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer Swaminatha Iyer (19 February 1855 – 28 April 1942) was a Tamil scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of classical Tamil literature to light. His singular efforts over five decades brought to light major literary works in Tamil and contributed vastly to the enrichment of its literary heritage
Solid Waste Management
Source Segregation Demonstration Programmes:
Fifteen Source Segregation Demonstration programmes were organized on 1th, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 20th during the month of July 2024 in the locations of Ondiveeran Nagar (Ward No:1), Sriram Nagar (Ward No:2), Minapillai Street (Ward No:5), Thambiayankollai (Ward No:08), Semma Madam (Ward No:11), Periya Pallivasal Street (Ward No:12) and Rajagopal Nagar (Ward No:18)
Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam)
Bramhadhandi
Distribution and Habitat:
Argemone mexicana is an annual herb, growing up to 100-140 cm and belongs to the family Papavaraceae. The plant is abundant in Mexico and distributed across tropical and sub-tropical countries. The plant tends to grow along roadsides, in fallow and cultivated lands, riverbanks and floodplains in almost every part of India and Bangladesh. It competes with and replaces native species in some cases and is also a significant crop weed. Its stem is branched and usually prickly.
Social Capital
Green Rameswaram Trust
Teertha Pooja
Our work of involving community in doing Teertha poojas is going on smoothly. SHG members are trying to take the ownership of the programme. In this month, we could perform Teertha poojas at 30 Traditional water bodies with 319 volunteers participating in the activity.