A 21-year-old student from Madhya Pradesh has drawn widespread attention after taking up the task of cleaning a garbage-filled river largely on his own. Surendra Singh Choudhary, popularly known as ‘Bittu Tabahi’, began cleaning sections of the Ajnar River in Biaora in January, removing plastic, algae and other waste that had accumulated in the waterway.
Choudhary, who comes from Biaora in Rajgarh district, documented his efforts through a series of videos posted on Instagram. The footage shows him working in and around the polluted river, often without assistance and despite the difficult conditions involved in the cleanup.
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According to digital content creator KR Talks, Choudhary has spent around ₹30,000 on the initiative so far. His efforts, however, eventually attracted attention beyond social media. The local municipal corporation joined the cleanup operation and deployed heavy machinery, including JCB and Poclain machines, to help remove the accumulated waste.
The campaign also caught the attention of Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of Netherlands-based environmental organisation The Ocean Cleanup. After coming across a post about Choudhary’s work, Slat reportedly responded with a simple offer: “Come work for us.”
The unexpected job offer has brought further recognition to Choudhary’s efforts and highlighted the impact that individual initiatives can have on environmental issues.
Choudhary also received praise from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who met him at his residence in Bhopal. Yadav described him as a young man whose determination had not only helped clean the Ajnar River but also sent a message that meaningful change does not always require a large group of people.
The chief minister linked Choudhary’s efforts to the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, which focuses on conserving and reviving water sources through public participation. Yadav said he hoped the initiative would inspire young people across Madhya Pradesh to take greater responsibility for protecting local water bodies.
Choudhary, meanwhile, said government agencies were already working on river conservation but argued that public participation was equally important. He urged people, particularly young citizens, to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings.
“Just as we keep our homes clean, we should also keep our surrounding environment clean,” he said, encouraging others to act when they see garbage or waste in public spaces.
What began as one student’s attempt to clean a polluted stretch of river has now evolved into a wider campaign involving local authorities and attracting international attention. Choudhary’s story has also sparked discussion about the role individuals can play in tackling environmental problems in their communities.
His experience with the Ajnar River demonstrates how a single initiative, sustained with determination, can attract public support and potentially inspire larger efforts to restore polluted water bodies.
