Full Breakdown
Bittu Tabahi: From Solo River Revival to a Nationwide Clean-up Drive
By Drooid · · How we work
The Ajnar River Revival
On January 26, Surendra Singh Choudhary—known on social media as “Bittu Tabahi”—began cleaning the polluted Ajnar River in Biaora, Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh. He funded basic tools and supplies out of his own pocket, spending roughly Rs 30,000. Over the following months he waded into the river, removing plastic, waste and algae from three major ghats. He documented the transformation with before-and-after photos that went viral, showing how a sustained effort could improve a waterway’s condition.
Viral Momentum and an International Offer
The exposure reached Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup. Slat responded to a tweet praising Choudhary’s work with a brief invitation: “Come work for us.” The invitation, posted on X (formerly Twitter), sparked celebration across social platforms and placed the activist on a global stage.
Crowdsourcing the Next Clean-up Destination
In an Instagram video, Choudhary thanked supporters and asked followers to suggest the next Indian state for his clean-up model. The comment stream quickly listed Bihar, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra among the top requests.
First Out-of-State Drive: Turahalli Forest, Bengaluru
Acting on the crowdsourced demand, Choudhary joined a clean-up on the periphery of Turahalli forest in Bengaluru’s Banashankari 6th Stage. The drive, organized by The Indian Garage Co in partnership with Indus Herbs and supported by the Greater Bengaluru Authority, assembled local volunteers, retired Indian Forest Service officer AN Yellappa Reddy and India Plog Run’s Ramakrishna Ganeshan. Over nearly four hours the team removed more than two tonnes of waste, including poultry waste, domestic sanitary waste, dog carcasses and hidden medical waste.
Data & Statistics
- Rs 30,000 self-funded for tools and supplies (Ajnar River clean-up).
- Months of solo work on the Ajnar River, covering three ghats.
- > 2 tonnes of mixed waste removed during the Turahalli forest drive.
- Hundreds of social-media comments naming potential next states, with Bihar, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra recurring most often.
Official Statements & Responses
- Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, wrote on X: “Come work for us,” directly inviting Choudhary to join the organization.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Choudhary’s age, describing him as either 20 or 21. His surname also appears as Choudhry in some outlets and Choudhary in others. The precise nature of the job offer from The Ocean Cleanup remains unclear; while Slat’s invitation is documented, subsequent negotiations or a formal contract have not been confirmed.
What’s Next
Choudhary has pledged to continue traveling across India, using the crowdsourced list to prioritize states where pollution is most acute. He plans to share low-cost, high-impact clean-up techniques with resident-welfare associations, student groups and municipal bodies, aiming to replicate the Ajnar River model on a broader scale.