A 20-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh, known as Bittu Tabahi, has gained attention for taking up the difficult task of cleaning the heavily polluted Ajnar River on his own. Instead of waiting for an official clean-up drive or a large organisation to step in, Bittu has been removing plastic, discarded waste and other garbage from the river and public places. He has also been spending his own money on the supplies needed for the work.
Bittu’s efforts recently came into focus after some social media users accused him of cleaning the river only to make videos and gain attention online. Responding to the criticism, he shared details of his work and said that he had actually spent months cleaning the river. According to him, the clean-up work took more than three months at each ghat.
In a recent video, Bittu responded to those questioning his efforts and pointed to the work he had completed. He said that while he makes videos about his activities, he has also done real work to remove waste from the river. His response has attracted further attention online, with many people praising his determination.
However, the work has also affected his health. Bittu previously revealed that his hands became infected after repeatedly coming into contact with polluted water and waste. He said he had wanted to build a machine to clean the river but could not afford it because he is a student. He therefore decided to do whatever work he could with his own hands.
Bittu said the pollution caused infections and resulted in the skin on his hands and feet coming off. Despite these health problems, he continued returning to the river to remove garbage and reduce the amount of plastic collecting in the water.
The young man’s efforts have also attracted criticism and mockery from some people. Bittu said that people have called him “crazy” and even asked him to clean their drains. Despite such comments, he has continued his work and used social media to document his efforts.
His story has now received support from several people online, including public figures. Actor Chitrangda Singh reacted to his efforts, while influencer Mukta Singh praised the idea of more people following his example. The response shows how individual efforts to address civic and environmental problems can inspire wider conversations.
Bittu’s work highlights the serious problem of plastic and waste pollution in rivers and the role individuals can play in keeping public spaces clean. At the same time, his experience shows the risks involved when people come into direct contact with heavily polluted water. His efforts have brought attention to the Ajnar River and started a wider discussion about environmental responsibility, civic sense and the need for stronger organised action to protect India’s rivers.