Echoes of EcoDr.APJ Abdul Kalam: Green Oath

In this issue:

Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam Green Oath A fitting memorial service for

Dr.Kalam The Happenings Green Rameswaram From our Publications: Population

& Planet Earth Visions of Kalam:

Sustainable Agriculture True Education Vision for the planet

Create thoughts in the minds of mypeople, and transform those thoughts

into action.Embed the thought of Nation being

bigger than the individual, in the mindsof leaders and people.

Help all the leaders of my country togive strength and bless the nation with

peace and prosperity.Give strength to all my religiousleaders to bring 'Unity of Minds'

among all our billion people….And bless our youth to live in

Developed India.

Kalam’s prayer for India

July, 2015 Vivekananda Kendra- nardep Newsletter Vol:7 No:5

Service to humanity is the highest form of worship – Swami Vivekananda

"When the sun shines, the greenplants breakdown water to getelectrons and protons, use theseparticles to turn carbon-di-oxide intoglucose and vent out oxygen as a wasteproduct." Each mature tree in a yearabsorbs 20 Kgs of carbon-di-oxide andtransforms into wood and reinforcesthe branches of the tree. At the sametime, it lets out into the atmosphereand surrounding 14 kgs of oxygen.

India’s forests serve as a major sinkof carbon-di-oxide. Our estimatesshow that the annual carbon-di-oxideremovals by India’s forests and treecover is enough to neutralize 11.25%of India’s total green house gasemissions. This is equivalent tooffsetting 100% emissions from allenergy in residential and transportsectors or 40% of the total emissionsfrom agriculture sector.

To augment this potential further,we should enhance the tree cover inaddition to the yearly plantation ofthe Forest Department. That’s why Ihave been administering during thelast seven years to everyone of thefive million youth I have met, a tenpoint oath, one of which emphasizesthe need for plantation of trees. Theoath reads: "I will plant ten treesand ensure their growth".

Kalam’s oath on Tree plantingI realize that every mature tree byphotosynthesis absorbs 20 kgs ofCarbon dioxide every year. By thesame process each tree lets outabout 14 Kg of Oxygen every year.2 I will plant and nurture ten treesand will ensure my parents, mysisters and brothers plant trees andmy neighbours also plant ten treeseach. I will be an ambassador fortree mission in my locality.

On Jan-28-2014 Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the Green Rameshwaram project andappreciated the work of Vivekananda Kendra in renovating the water bodies. ‘GreenRameshwaram’ was one of the last projects he showed personal interest. [See theaccompanying press report from local Tamil paper from Rameshwaram in the next page.]

The education system has a tremendous responsibility to transform a child into a leader- thetransformation has to be from ‘what can you do for me’ mindset to ‘what can i do for you’ mindset.Education and values imparted in childhood are more important than the education received incollege and university. – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra – nardep, July 2015, Vol. 7 No: 5

The companion to understand the basic principles of the above activities is the bookpublished by VK-nardep on renewable energy. One of the aims of green Rameshwaramis to make the island energy self-reliant. The book deals with solar energy, windenergy and bio-energy. It discusses the renewable energy potential and how they canbe harnessed through green technologies to make the local villages energyindependent. The book is important for both lay public and social workers who takegreen technologies to communities.

For more information on Green Rameshwaram please contact: Secretary, VivekanandaKendra-nardep, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari -629702Email: vknardep@gmail.com Phone: 04652-246296 www.vknardep.org

Kalam’s Dream: Green Rameshwaram[adapted from Rameshwaram newspaper feature]

50 years back Rameshwaram was a much greener island with green treesand a beautiful clean white sand coast. Dr.Kalam always remembered thatRameshwaram with a fondness. We can bring back that green Rameshwaramagain and we can do that while at the same time accomplishing economicgrowth for all : making environmental commitment while effecting inclusivegrowth is a great challenge but it can be accomplished. This is the projecttaken up by Vivekananda Kendra- nardep. This is a project in which elevendimensions of holistic development of an ancient island has been taken up.Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated this project and it was one of his lastpersonal dreams to see Rameshwaram green and clean again,

In a fitting tribute to the life of this great son of India, on the day of his funeralwith all state honors, the Green Rameshwaram volunteers were working in acoastal hamlet with no electricity. They were working to bring solar electricityto the huts in which the coastal community was living in that hamlet at theedge of the island.

On the day of Dr.Kalam’s funeral, ‘Green Rameshwaram’ project workers were engaged in giving Dr.Kalam a veryfitting send-off and a real memorial service. They were working in a coastal hamlet brining solar light to the villagehouses.

The convergence of science and technology with spirituality is touted to be the future forboth science and technology, and spirituality. Science and spirituality seek the same divineblessings for doing good for the people.

-Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam

Training on Azolla was given on 25th tofive farmers by Smt.Premlatha atTechnology Resource Center, Kalluvillai.

Happenings this month:SUSTAINABLEAGRICULTURE

Exposure visit of 28 farmers wasorganized by the NERD Society,Vadavalli, Coimbatore on 4th of thismonth. They learned Shakti Surabhi Bio-methanation plant and farmingtechnologies.

V.V. College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilaiorganized a study tour toVivekanandapuram on 17th, 23rd and 24th.97 students studied the greentechnologies.40 Students from Sri ParasakthiCollege for Women, Courtallam visistedVK-nardep on 22nd and learned ShaktiSurabhi Bio-methanation, Cost effectiveconstruction technologies and Azollatechnology.

Training programme on “Organic wastebased Bio-methanation plant” was conductedat TRC, Kalluvilai on 25th of this month for 7persons. Er.V.Ramakrishnan was theresource person.

Awareness Programme on “Kitchen wastebased Bio-methanation Plant” was conductedfor 45 persons through IFAD, Thiruvallur atthe Garmodaya Park, Vivekanandapuramon 28th of this month and the resourceperson was Shri.V.Ramakrishnan

Workshop on “Traditional Siddha VarmaBone Setting Practices” was held at TRCKalluvillai of Vivekananda Kendra –nardep ,On 14th and 15th of this month withDr.V.Ganapathi as the resource person. 50medical professionals, students andresearchers participated in the workshop.

Workshop on “Traditional Varma medicalpractices” was held at TRC Kalluvillai ofVivekananda Kendra –nardep ,on 24th of thismonth with Dr.V.Ganapathi as the resourceperson Vivekananda Kendra – 94 medicalprofessionals, students and researchersparticipated in the workshop.

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To know more about ‘Green Rameshwaram Pilgrimage’ Project contact:Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra - Nardep, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari-629702;

Phone:04652-246296, 9442646296 Email: vknardep@gmail.com

Green Health Home of VK-nardepfunctioned for 9 days and treated231 patients.

Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra – nardep, July 2015, Vol. 7 No: 5

Construction of Bio-Methanation plants:

Portable type 2 cum – 2 Fixed type 2 cum – 6 Fixed type 1 cum - 6

Happenings thismonth:

Renewable Energy

Mr.Rajamoni explaining sustainableagriculture technologies to students

Holistic Medicine: ThisMonth

Happenings thismonth:

Networking

Practical demonstration of Varmatechniques at the workshop on

ethnic medicine by Dr.Ganapathi

Students learning green technologiesduring the study tour.

Er.Ramakrishnan explains bio-methanation plant.

Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra – nardep, July 2015, Vol. 7 No: 5

Whether a nation has arrived at a stage of knowledge society is judged by the way thecountry effectively deals with knowledge creation and knowledge deployment in all sectors

like Agriculture and Food Processing, IT, Industries and Healthcare.- Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam

Sri.Aasaithambi the architect fromTapasya – is renovating the heritagebuilding with the traditional techniques.Here he is displaying the mixture used intraditional architecture: a mixture oflime and jaggery which is employed in thetraditional building renovation.

Under Green Rameswaram project,students of Mandapam union primarySchool, Ramakrishnapuram, Rameswarampresented in drawings their dreams ofGreen Rameshwaram on 23-7-2015. 29Students participated.

Under Green Rameswaram project,students showcased their concern forenvironment in a session organized atkendriya Vidyalaya, Rameswaram on 24-7-2015 wherein 95 Students participated.Students were engaged in productiveactivities such as album making, sloganwriting and drawings.

Under Green Rameswaram project, thestudents of Mandapam union middleSchool No: 2, Rameswaram presented inpaintings their vision for GreenRameswaram on 2-7-2015 wherein26Students participated.

‘Green Rameshwaram’ aims to realize one of the last dreams of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam for his own native island

Sri.Asaithambi architect displayinghis construction technology Students showing their concern for

Green Rameshwaram.

Ignited minds envisioning the GreenRameshwaram they want to live in .

The dream of these children to live inGreen Rameshwaram is our mission.

These awareness creationprogrammes held across the islandwere coordinated by ‘Hand in Hand’

and VK-nardep. They provide us withthe glimpse of what the studentsdream of ‘Green Rameshwaram’.

Ignited minds envisioning the GreenRameshwaram they want to live in .

Under Green Rameshwaram schoolstudents do ‘door to door’ campaign.

Rotary club, Rameshwaram honouredSis.Saraswathi on 27th July for herwork in making Rameshwaram Cleanand Green.

To enable development of youth first and foremost, the teacher’s love for teaching is essential, withteaching as the soul of the teacher. The teacher must realize that they are responsible for shaping

not just students but ignited youth who are the most powerful resource under the earth, on theearth and above the earth.– Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam

From ourPublications

Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra – nardep, July 2015, Vol. 7 No: 5

Last year, when I was here in Sarangpurto see Pramukh Swamiji, I had a deepspiritual experience. Swamiji held myhand for ten minutes. No words werespoken. We looked into each other’s eyesin a profound communication ofconsciousness. In these moments, a worldvision based on Mother Earth wasintuitively communicated to me byspiritual connectivity with a message"Unity ! Unity ! and Unity of Minds". In arevelatory flash, I realized that thestruggle between happiness andunhappiness that had so far been thestory of human existence and thestruggle between peace and war that hadbeen the history of the human race mustchange. In the silence of his grip on myhand, I heard, 'Kalam, go and telleveryone that the power that would leadus to eternal victory amid these strugglesis the power of good within us.Communicate to humankind the vision of aharmonious world. This vision would begreater than any other goal ever aspiredto by humanity.' What would you like todo to make this planet Earth live-able.You have to evolve yourself and shapeyour life. You should write it on a page.That page may be a very important pagein the book of human history. And you willbe remembered for creating that onepage in the history of the world.

Friends, in the environmental climatechange, there is a need for Farmers,Agricultural Planners, Educationists andresearchers to increase the quantum oforganic farming in the country. Organicagriculture recognizes that crop rotationand intensive partnership with animalhusbandry is important to maintainecological balance. In this respect, organicfarming becomes a sustainabledevelopment process. Farmers can realizebetter value from the agricultural residue.Of course, various state governments havelaunched the unique mission giving priorityand assistance to the farmers for organicfarming.

Friends, the second green revolution isindeed a knowledge graduation fromcharacterization of soil to the matching ofthe seed with the composition of thefertilizer, water management and evolvingpre-harvesting techniques for suchconditions. The domain of a farmers workwould enlarge from grain production tofood processing and marketing throughcooperatives. While doing so, utmost carewould have to be taken for variousenvironmental and people related aspectsleading to sustainable development.

Sustainable Agriculture True Education Vision for the Planet

True education is the acquisition ofenlightened feelings and enlightenedpowers to understand daily events and tounderstand the permanent truth by linkingcitizen, to his environment, human andplanetary. I would like to quote from thegreat philosopher Dr. S. Radhakrishnanparticularly for the benefit of studentsand teachers - "The sense of human needis there and the teacher can satisfy it bygiving to the youth an idea of thefundamental power and worth of man, hisspiritual dignity as man, a supra-nationalculture and an all embracing humanity."

Let us now hear the tribute given by thegreat Albert Einstein to his teacher: "Theideals which have lighted my way, timeafter time, have given new course to facelife cheerfully have been kindness, beautyand truth". This is the mission of teacher.By nature if the student has studied in aparticular school they cherish thememories. For example, in the institutionthe teacher belongs, have created 100sand 1000s of alumni depending upon theschool strength. The successful alumniremember the school with veneration anddesire to give back. Schools need tocreate an opportunity, like IIT, IIM andother institutions.

- APJ Abdul Kalam

Vivekananda Kendra – nardep, Kanyakumari-629702 Phone:91-4652-246296 www.vknardep.org

I have a message for all the teachers and students. Nurturing all the five minds (Disciplinary mind,Synthesizing mind, Creative mind, Respectful mind, Ethical mind) is possible, if you build the followingfive capacities among the youth. What are those five capacities? The five capacities are: research andinquiry, creativity and innovation, use of high technology, entrepreneurial and moral leadership are thefive capacities required to be built through the education process. _Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

- APJ Abdul Kalam- APJ Abdul Kalam