Surendra Singh Choudhary, the 21-year-old Madhya Pradesh student popularly known online as ‘Bittu Tabahi’, has received international recognition for his efforts to clean a polluted river in his hometown.
According to The Times of India (TOI), the young environmental volunteer was offered a job by The Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands-based environmental organisation, after his solo river-cleaning campaign attracted widespread attention.
The development came shortly after former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen praised Bittu’s efforts and described his determination to clean the river as “heroic”.
As reported by TOI, the recognition has taken what began as a personal initiative by a young student in Madhya Pradesh onto an international platform.
The job offer was reportedly extended by Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup. According to TOI, Slat contacted Bittu directly after learning about his work, marking a significant development for the 21-year-old from Biaora in Rajgarh district.
“I received a call from Slat this morning,” Bittu told TOI. “He was exceedingly pleased with my work, and he took down my credentials. I'm rather excited about it.”
When asked about the specific position being offered, Bittu said that the details had not yet been discussed.
“That wasn't discussed. I'm told they'll get back to me soon.”
According to TOI, Bittu began his river-cleaning campaign on January 26, when he started working to clear the heavily polluted Ajnar river in Biaora. The river had become choked with plastic waste, algae and other debris, prompting Bittu to take matters into his own hands.
The young student reportedly spent around Rs 30,000 from his own pocket to purchase basic tools and supplies required for the cleanup. He went on to clean three major ghats along the river, documenting his efforts and the transformation of the areas through before-and-after photographs.
TOI reported that Bittu’s cleanup effort was particularly striking because he did not have access to professional equipment or even basic protective gear while carrying out the work. He worked without gloves and proper footwear and, despite not knowing how to swim, entered the polluted waters to remove accumulated waste, algae and debris.
His determination eventually began attracting attention beyond Biaora. Images showing the condition of the river before and after his cleanup efforts circulated widely online, turning Bittu into a social media sensation and earning him the nickname ‘Bittu Tabahi’.
As reported by TOI, his efforts also caught the attention of prominent personalities, including industrialist Anand Mahindra and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Thousands of social media users also reacted to the young man’s initiative and his decision to personally take on the river-cleaning effort.
Kevin Pietersen calls Bittu’s effort ‘heroic’
The campaign received another major boost when former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen shared Bittu’s story on Instagram. According to TOI, Pietersen praised the student’s determination and described his efforts as “heroic”.
The former cricketer also suggested that Bittu’s work deserved recognition beyond India, helping bring greater international attention to the young environmentalist and his campaign.
Bittu’s journey from independently cleaning a polluted river in Madhya Pradesh to receiving a potential international job opportunity highlights how grassroots environmental initiatives can gain momentum through social media.
For Bittu, what began with a personal investment of around Rs 30,000 and a decision to clean three river ghats has now opened the possibility of working with one of the world’s best-known organisations focused on tackling ocean plastic pollution.
According to TOI, while the exact role offered by The Ocean Cleanup has not yet been finalised, Bittu is awaiting further communication from the organisation. The offer from Boyan Slat represents a remarkable next step for the 21-year-old, whose determination to clean the Ajnar river has now captured attention both in India and internationally.
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