New Delhi: Last week, when Mumbaikars came out to clean-up their ‘cleanest’ beach – Versova with Afroz Shah, they witnessed something for the first time. It was the support of 400 Coast Guard along with a chopper and a hovercraft, that were present at the beach as the symbols of Navy’s enthusiastic participation in the clean-up drive The motive was simple, to make people aware that they need to wake up now and start cleaning the mess they have created, just like the people at the beach. And, that’s how week 117 of world’s biggest beach clean-up hit another big milestone.
400 Coast Guard officers joined Afroz Shah
You know what the real enemy is? It is the enemy within – the way we keep our environment. I think, currently the environment is the most neglected. If we fiddle around with the environment, if we don’t nurture it or take care of it, we all will be doomed. And in this aspect, India has got a role model and that’s our very own Afroz, says Santosh Nair, Commander of Indian Coastal Guard.
Coast Guard officers along with other volunteers participated in the clean-up and removed approximately 26 tonnes of garbage. They also honoured the Versova Clean-up by giving an award to beach warrior Afroz Shah.
Coast Guard officers honoured Afroz Shah
Apart from the officers, there were school children and actor Jackky Bhagnani who came forward to extend their support. The actor added,
Humbled by the work you are doing @AfrozShah1. Today I pledge to help as much as I possibly can. Mumbai owes you for your resolve and dedication #Respect #VersovaBeachCleanUp.
Humbled by the work you are doing @AfrozShah1. Today I pledge to help as much as I possibly can. Mumbai owes you for your resolve and dedication #Respect #VersovaBeachCleanUp https://t.co/jIQ5VGAaIO
— Jackky Bhagnani (@jackkybhagnani) January 13, 2018
Till date, Afroz and his team has been successful in removing 11.8 million kilograms of garbage from the beach. Afroz Shah sign offs by adding,
If we were saving oceans the way we protect our home and assets, then our ocean story would have been different. Marine litter is an issue, in fact a very serious one. It is high time people realise this and start taking action.
The UN’s top environmental accolade — Champions of the Earth awardee, Afroz Shah in future aims to clean-up every beach in India and make every citizen of the country responsible when it comes to littering.
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