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Ever since the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was announced by PM Narendra Modi on October 2nd, 2014, one of the most landmark movements to follow suit has been the Versova beach cleanliness drive. Begun two years ago in 2015 by Mumbai advocate Afroz Shah and his team, this initiative has managed to rid the beach of almost 5 million kg of trash. Not to mention the planting of 300 coconut trees that’ve made the beach almost unrecognisable!
Several Indian and even international celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio, have praised the efforts put in by locals. In fact, stars like Randeep Hooda and Nawazuddin Siddique’s kids have also participated in this drive.
Despite multiple difficulties faced by Afroz Shah and the other volunteers, which included a temporary suspension of the drive due to harassment by local goons, the programme is once again back on track and was visited by yet another star!
Currently in its 115th week, the Versova beach cleanup drive received a visit from none other than Amitabh Bachchan! He was there to fire up the engines of the machines, a tractor and an excavator, used to clean up the garbage on the beach.
Week 115 – Marine Litter chronicle.
Our dear @SrBachchan gifted us a Jungli excavator and tractor by @escortsgroup
Today the engines were fired by him. Love and love and love for holding our hands tight. Sir , you are a torch of light in this fight to #BeatPollution . pic.twitter.com/0PKSG46Cvx
— Afroz shah (@AfrozShah1) December 28, 2017
But did you know, this isn’t Big B’s first time at the cleanliness drive?
A few months ago, the Amitabh Bachchan had swung by Versova beach and interacted with the volunteers. He was told by Shah that a tractor or an excavator would help simplify the task of picking up the trash.
And guess what? In September, Afroz Shah was then invited to an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati and gifted the keys to these two machines!
Week 100 cleanup.@SrBachchan gifts 2 mean machine by @escortsgroup to clean the oceans.Thank you sir. You are angel to us and marine species pic.twitter.com/gs8BOYmJpz
— Afroz shah (@AfrozShah1) September 14, 2017
Though the machines were gifted in September, yesterday was Mr. Bachchan’s first visit to Versova beach since, and he addressed the volunteers present.
Thank you @SrBachchan for your kind words, passionate involvement and the beast’s gifted by you, that will go a long way in keeping our beaches Spic and span. Thank you @AfrozShah1 for making this happen and setting an example of effective ground action. pic.twitter.com/60EGYEI5cz
— Utsav Environment (@UtsavEnvironmAn) December 28, 2017
He even tweeted about how his gift was merely a small effort in contribution to the noble cause and one of the most satisfying experiences in life!
a small effort in what we need to do ..🙏🙏 https://t.co/GjvaNYmMhN
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 29, 2017
T 2755 – The joy of gifting for a cause as noble as the one I did today is the most satisfying experience of life .. !! Gifted an Excavator and a Tractor for Versova Beach clean up .. !! pic.twitter.com/j5DLLndE9s
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 28, 2017
Afroz Shah and every single volunteer’s efforts in this cleanliness drive is commendable. Our environment is our responsibility and it is heartening to watch that people are indeed accepting this responsibility readily! Kudos, guys, and keep up the good work!
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