Newsletter - November 2024
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
Rameswaram witnessed an unprecedented rainfall of 411 mm (16 inches) in just 10 hours, marking a historic milestone in 125 years. Historic special rains. In three hours alone, Rameswaram recorded 362 mm (14.25 inches), akin to a sheet of water pouring down. A few people termed the event a "Super Cloud Burst" rather than a regular cloudburst.
This is a sign of Global Warming and unusual weather pattern. We have been working on these issues since last decade and have decided to have a digital exhibition – Vasudhaa – The Mother Earth, at Kanyakumari which will address the issues of Sustainable living. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 12th January 2025.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Shri.Rangarajan continues to translate a couple of 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 – Malabar Spinach (Kodi Pasalai)
- In Landscaping and Beautification, we covered the establishment of Micro Forests at Arjuna and Bhima Teertham
- Regular Teertha Poojas
- In Livelihood - Eco-tourism and Tailoring classes
- In Social capital - Sadhana Diwas, Students competitions, Palsuvai Nigalchi Webinars and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.
With best wishes,
Green Rameswaram Project
Mahabeer Dharmasala
Rameswaram - 623526
Tamilnadu.
Ph: 04573 - 299496(office)
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.greenrameswaram.org
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. He is affectionately called Tamil Thatha (literally, "Tamil grandfather")
Solid Waste Management
Door to Door Waste Collection and Segregation Programmes:
On regular basis the door-to-door waste collection and source segregation along with street cleaning are being implemented by the SWM project team in Rameswaram project location. The project team educates and regularly creates awareness to all the households’ in order to ensure source segregation.
Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam)
Malabar Spinach
Distribution and Habitat:
Basella alba (L.) is an extremely heat tolerant, fast growing perennial vine which belongs to family Basellaceae. It is commonly known as Malabar spinach, Ceylon spinach, vine spinach, climbing spinach. It is native to tropical Southern Asia. It is particularly abundant in Malaysia, Philippines, tropical Africa, tropical America, southeast of Brazil.
The plant is a perennial twining herb. Stem fleshy, 8-10 m, stout at the base with slender upper branches. Leaves axillary, 5-12 cm long, dark green, broadly ovate, acute. Flowers sub sessile, white pink or red. Fruit black or dark purple, enclosed with persistent fleshy calyx. Seeds black, globose.
Landscaping and Beautification
Green Rameswaram Trust
Micro Forests Establishment at Arjuna and Bhima Teertham
On November 5, 2024 District Collector Shri.Simranjeet Singh Kahlon IAS launched the Micro forest initiative of Green Rameswaram supported by National Medicinal Plant Board of Thrissur. Collector planted a couple of saplings symbolising the inauguration of the Micro forests. Several District officials, Rotary club, and Dr.APJ International foundation members attended the programme.
Livelihood Opportunities
Green Rameswaram Trust
Tailoring Classes
Free tailoring classes were organised on four Sundays. Initially response was poor but slowly it picked up and then10 members started attending every week.
Green Transport
E-Autos reached out to 13450 pilgrims. Out of which, we have provided free services to Senior citizens 67 nos., children 85 nos. and differently-abled 18 nos.
Maintenance of Renovated Traditional Water Bodies
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 41 Traditional water bodies with 240 volunteers participating in the activity. The details are given below.
Social Capital
Green Rameswaram Trust
Sadhana Diwas
On November 19, 2024, Sadhana Diwas (Shri.Eknathji Ranade’s Birth anniversary) was held at the GRT office. The program commenced with Irai Vanakkam and was followed by engaging speeches. Shri.Ranganathkumar delivered an inspiring talk on Sathanaiyalar, while Kumaresan spoke about Maperum Manithar Eknath Ranade. Additionally, Shri.Rajan presented insights on Eknath Ranade’s Valzhvin Sambhavangal.
Green Rameswaram newsletter (Tamil)
From students ..
51st issue – November 2024
