Courtesy: Instagram/bittu_tabahi
A young environmental volunteer from Madhya Pradesh, known online as Bittu Tabahi, has received an invitation to work with The Ocean Cleanup after his months-long effort to clean the polluted Ajnar River gained attention online.
Bittu Tabahi, whose name is Surendra Singh Choudhary, has been clearing plastic waste, algae and other debris from stretches of the river in Biaora, Rajgarh district. Videos documenting his work circulated widely on social media, bringing it to the attention of Boyan Slat, founder and chief executive of the Netherlands-based environmental organisation The Ocean Cleanup.
Slat responded to a post about Choudhary’s work on X with: “Come work for us.” The invitation is publicly visible, but the role, terms and whether Choudhary will accept have not been announced.
How did Bittu Tabahi begin the clean-up?
According to NDTV, Choudhary began his campaign on January 26 after being disturbed by the accumulation of plastic, algae, sludge and foul odour around a temple-side section of the Ajnar River.
He initially worked with a few friends, but the project became largely a solo effort. He used basic tools and spent his own savings on supplies, NDTV reported.
The story has resonated because it pairs a visible local problem with a direct citizen-led response. But it also highlights why sustained waste collection, sewage management and local civic action are needed alongside individual volunteer efforts.
What does the Dutch offer mean?
The Ocean Cleanup is known for developing technologies aimed at reducing plastic pollution in rivers and oceans. Slat’s post was an invitation to “come work for us”, rather than a publicly released employment contract or formal appointment notice.
The offer represents international recognition of Choudhary’s work, not confirmation of a completed move to the Netherlands. Any future employment, travel or collaboration would depend on further discussions between him and the organisation.
Come work for us @Surendr75950620
— Boyan Slat (@BoyanSlat) September 4, 2026
Is river clean-up safe to do alone?
No. Reports say Choudhary worked without proper safety gear and does not know how to swim. NDTV reported that he experienced health problems, including skin irritation and infections.
Public clean-ups should ideally involve trained local bodies or organisations, protective gloves and boots, safe waste handling, and assessment of water quality and other hazards. Volunteers should avoid entering polluted water without safety equipment or support.
Choudhary’s work also received recognition from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who met him and said the government would support his initiative.
What is the online and search-interest picture?
The story has gained momentum on X, where Slat’s invitation and posts by environmental observers helped amplify Choudhary’s work. Google Trends-related coverage identified “Bittu Tabahi Ajnar River cleanup” as a trending query on September 5, though an independently verifiable search-volume figure was not available.
