2026
Read Covering Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
World Water Day is an annual observance held on 22 March by the United Nations to highlight the importance of freshwater and to advocate for the sustainable management of water resources across the world. Recognizing the vital role of water in our everyday lives, we have chosen Water Management as the flagship programme of the Green Rameswaram Project.
Over the past decade, we have revived and renovated more than 50 water bodies in Rameswaram Island alone. Building on this experience and commitment, we are now extending this important work to other districts as part of our continued efforts toward ecological sustainability and community well-being.
This month’s newsletter highlights the following:
- Archaeology and Heritage: Shri Rangarajan continues translating select shlokas from a rare text on the Ramanathaswamy Temple, along with activities such as Pada Pooja, Family Welfare Pooja, and the online Palsuvai Nigaltchi programme.
- Green Health: An article on the nutritional value of Finger Millet (Kezhvaragu) by Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer, C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, and a free Siddha medical camp.
- Livelihood: Coverage of training programmes conducted during the month.
- Revival and Renovation of Teerthams: Maha Teertha Pooja at Ramar Teertham and Teertham cleaning activities at several sites.
- Social Capital: Reports on Anandalayas, the visit of ANI News, and a student-prepared newsletter from 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.vknardep.org; www.greenrameswaram.org & www.vasudhaindia.in
Read Covering Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, has appointed Green Rameswaram Trust as the Project Management Unit (PMU) to develop Rameswaram as a Carbon Neutral Hub.
On behalf of the Trust, Shri G. Vasudeo signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District Collector, Shri Simranjeet Singh Kahlon, I.A.S., during the District-level Stakeholder Workshop held on 10th February at the Ramanathapuram District Collectorate.
The District Collector has also constituted a District-level Project Steering Committee to ensure effective implementation. This initiative to de-carbonise Rameswaram will further strengthen the Green and Resilient Rameswaram Project.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Archaeology and Heritage: Shri Rangarajan continues translating select shlokas from a rare text on the Ramanathaswami Temple. The activities also included the online Palsuvai Nigaltchi programme.
- Green Health: Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer, C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai, contributes an article on the nutritional value of Foxtail Millet (Thinai).
- Livelihood: Coverage of the training programme conducted during the month.
- Marine Biodiversity: Activities include the cleaning of the Arichal Munai area under Project Thuimai Mission.
- Revival and Renovation of Teerthams: Poojas were performed at several sites, including the Maha Teertha Pooja at Jata Teertham, along with Teertham cleaning activities.
- Social Capital: Highlights include the 12th Foundation Day celebration, a report on Anandalayas, and the newsletter prepared by 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.vknardep.org; www.greenrameswaram.org & www.vasudhaindia.in
Read Covering Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
12th January is celebrated across India as Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and National Youth Day. Swami Vivekananda viewed nature and humanity as one. Rooted in Advaita Vedānta, he taught that protecting nature is a spiritual duty, as the outer environment shapes our inner life. He warned that true progress must respect nature’s laws, for nature responds with stern force to neglect. Inspired by his vision, we at Green Rameswaram project strive to follow in his footsteps—doing our humble “squirrel’s work” to build a Green, Resilient Rameswaram.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Archaeology and Heritage: Shri Rangarajan continues to translate select shlokas from the rare text on the Ramanathaswami Temple. Activities also included the, Pada Pooja at the Anandalaya, Kutumba Kshema Pooja and the online Palsuvai Nigaltchi
- Green Health: Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer, C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai, writes on the herbal plant— Pearl Millet (Bajra) and Free Siddha medical camp at Green Rameswaram project office
- Livelihood: Coverage includes the training programme conducted during the period
- Revival and Renovation of Teerthas: Poojas were performed at several sites, including the Maha Teertha Pooja at Simha Teertham.
- Social Capital: Activities included Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, Anandalaya programmes, School and College level competitions, Republic day celebration, and the newsletter prepared 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.vknardep.org; www.greenrameswaram.org & www.vasudhaindia.in
Archaeology and History
A Rare book - Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami By: C.Rangarajan, Chennai
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”). This month, we will cover stanza 181 and 182
Green Health
by Dr. A. Abirami C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai
Distribution and Habitat
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn), is one of the millets characterized with highly variable small-seeded monocotyledon and belongs to Poaceae family. It is widely grown as a cereal in the arid areas of Africa and Asia.
Livelihood Report
Training programme
In the month of March 02 Training programmes conducted and 14 Peoples attended. The training was mainly on Kitchen garden. The following points were covered.
Revival and Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies
Teertha Pooja
During this month, Teertha Poojas were performed at 14 traditional water bodies with the participation of 378 volunteers. Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Teertha Mitras, and yoga students actively volunteered in conducting the poojas. The detailed list is given below.
Social Capital
Anandalaya
Anandalaya stands as a beacon of hope for rural and underprivileged children, dedicated to nurturing their academic excellence and holistic growth.
Squirrel Green Rameswaram Newsletter
For students….
From students ..
67th issue – March 2026
Archaeology and History
A Rare book - Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami By: C.Rangarajan, Chennai
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”)
Green Health
by Dr. A. Abirami C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai
Foxtail Millet - Distribution and Habitat
Setaria italica (Foxtail millet) which belongs to the family Poaceae, with slim, vertical, leafy stems which can reach a height of 1.2-2 m. This plant originated from China, where its cultivation dates back to 5000 BC.
