Mumbai, May 31: In the 134th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the cleanup initiative for the Manorama River, led by young social worker Akash Gupta and his team from a small village in Basti district, Uttar Pradesh, received national recognition. The mention of their efforts by the Prime Minister has brought joy to the entire region.
Akash Gupta and his team listened to the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program together in their village and expressed their happiness upon hearing their work highlighted by the Prime Minister.
In an interview with a news agency, Akash Gupta stated that the Prime Minister’s appreciation of their cleanup campaign is a matter of pride for him and the entire village. He emphasized that coming from a small village in Basti district and receiving national recognition for their work is incredibly inspiring. He added that the entire village is grateful to Prime Minister Modi for bringing their efforts to the attention of people across the country.
Akash also praised Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives like Namami Gange and the Swachh Bharat Mission. He noted that cleanliness is not the responsibility of a single individual but requires collective effort. Until every citizen of the country participates in this campaign, achieving the goal of cleanliness will remain a challenge.
He shared that his team currently consists of four members who have worked tirelessly for 65 days to clean approximately 300 meters of the river. If more people join this initiative, the cleanup efforts can progress even faster.
Akash Gupta believes that protecting and cleaning the resources provided by nature is a societal responsibility. He pointed out that those who pollute rivers, ponds, and water sources are also part of the community, making it their duty to keep these areas clean. After completing the river cleanup, his team plans to launch a large-scale plantation drive along the riverbanks during the monsoon season to promote environmental conservation.
The Manorama River in Basti district has been struggling for its existence for a long time. Once a symbol of religious faith and cultural heritage, the river has been severely affected by plastic waste, water hyacinth, and other debris.
In many places, the river’s condition had deteriorated to the point where it resembled a drain more than a river. At this critical time, social worker Akash Gupta, along with some friends, resolved to revive the river.
Launched about two months ago, this initiative has seen the youth team work continuously without any government assistance, removing plastic, water hyacinth, and other waste from the river. The cleanup campaign began in the village of Lajghata in the Harraiya assembly constituency, which has become a topic of discussion at the local level. This area is represented by BJP MLA Ajay Singh.
Akash and his team did not limit themselves to just the cleanup efforts; they also created videos to draw attention to the issue through social media and other platforms. The impact of their efforts is now clearly visible. Where the river was once filled with garbage, it now appears significantly cleaner and more beautiful. Local residents are bathing in the river, and animals have begun to drink its water.
This initiative by the youth has set a new example of environmental conservation and community participation in the area. Local residents are appreciating their dedication and hard work. Following the mention of this campaign in PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, it has become a topic of national discussion, and there is hope that it will inspire youth across the country towards water conservation and environmental protection.
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