After Dutch CEO Kevin Pietersen praises MP’s ‘Bittu Tabahi’ for cleaning up polluted river alone: ’Heroic’ | Today’s news
A 21-year-old Madhya Pradesh student who took it upon himself to clean up a heavily polluted river has attracted international attention, with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen praising his efforts and environmental NGO The Ocean Cleanup offering him a job.
Surendra Singh Choudhary, known online as ‘Bittu Tabahi’, received the offer on Sunday from Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of the Dutch organization.
The development comes after Pietersen shared Bittu’s river cleaning initiative, describing it as “heroic”, bringing the young student’s work to a wider international audience.
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“Slat called me this morning,” Bittu told TOI. “He was extremely happy with my work and removed my credentials. I’m pretty excited about that.”
When asked about the offered position, Bittu replied: “It was not discussed. They say they will hear from me soon.”
Who is ‘Bittu Tabahi’ and what did he do?
Bittu started cleaning the Ajnar river at Biaora in Rajgarh district on January 26.
The river was heavily polluted with plastic waste, algae and other rubbish. Bittu spent around ₹30,000 of their own money for basic equipment and cleaning supplies.
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He worked on three major ghats, undertaking the effort without gloves or proper footwear. According to the report, he also could not swim.
Bittu documented the cleanup through before and after photos, which subsequently gained attention on social media.
Kevin Pietersen calls effort ‘heroic’
Bittu’s initiative soon attracted the attention of industrialist Anand Mahindra, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and social media users.
Pietersen later shared Bittu’s story on Instagram, praising his determination and calling the effort “heroic”.
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The former England cricketer stressed that Bittu entered the polluted river barefoot and without protective gear and decided to act rather than wait for the authorities.
Pietersen’s contribution helped bring international attention to the student’s work.
The founder of Ocean Cleanup offers him a job
Soon after Pietersen’s post, Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, responded to a post about Bittu’s work with a brief invitation: “Come work for us.”
Slat subsequently contacted Bittu and, according to the student, took his login information.
The exact role or terms of the job offer have not yet been discussed, Bittu said.
The Ocean Cleanup is a Dutch environmental NGO focused on developing technologies to remove plastic from oceans and rivers.
“My goal was never personal credit”
Despite the attention surrounding his work, Bittu said recognition was not his primary motivation.
“My goal has never been personal credit, but to inspire others,” Bittu said.
His initiative, which began as an individual effort to clean up a polluted river in Madhya Pradesh, has now attracted the attention of an international environmental organization as well as prominent public figures.
