Who is 'Bittu Tabahi’? MP boy who went viral for cleaning polluted river and got job offer from Netherlands

Surendra Singh Choudhary, a 20-year-old BSc student from Madhya Pradesh, has gained national and international attention for his initiative to clean the polluted Ajnar River in Biaora. Popularly known as 'Bittu Tabahi', the young man started the cleanup on Republic Day, January 26, and worked alone until the local municipal corporation took notice and offered assistance.

Using his Instagram platform, Choudhary shared before-and-after images and videos of his efforts, detailing his cleanup process and the waste he removed, which included plastic, algae, and other debris. His dedication to the cause cost him approximately ₹30,000, which he used to purchase materials required for the cleanup. Initially, Choudhary contemplated building a machine to aid in the removal of waste but lacked the necessary funds.

On Republic Day, he decided to act and began his cleanup mission, consistently working without interruption. The municipal corporation eventually joined his efforts, deploying JCB and Poclain machines to remove larger amounts of waste. Choudhary has also addressed those who doubted the impact of individual efforts, stating that his work demonstrates what can be achieved through personal initiative.

His campaign has garnered international interest, leading to a job offer from The Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands-based non-profit, after Boyan Slat, the founder and CEO, saw a post about his work.