Dutch CEO to hire Bittu Tabahi; 21-year-old is India's latest superstar

BHOPAL: Surendra Singh Chaudhary, a native of Biaora in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, is now an overnight sensation. The 21-year-old took over the dirty work of cleaning polluted rivers single-handedly, with no eyes on any rewards. Moreover, his work has awed not just natives but global entrepreneurs too.

Known popularly by his internet username ‘Bittu Tabahi’, Singh started by cleaning the Ajnar River in Biaora on his own, but never did he think that posting about his progress on social media would make him globally famous in a day or two.

Bittu started work on January 26th and single-handedly worked for months cleaning the river. As his efforts started gaining attention, the local authorities stepped in to offer help. Bittu used his own money to buy basic equipment needed to clean the river and engaged in laborious work for days. Amidst the work lies a scary part, which Bittu often risks; the teen doesn’t know how to swim.

The dirty work has its perils, as Bittu started experiencing infections in his hands and feet and itching on his skin. He also had to face the threat of several reptiles during his work. After the footage of the cleanup went viral on social media, Boyen Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, an environmental organisation based in the Netherlands, offered Bittu a job. "Work with us," Slat responded.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also came to congratulate Bittu. He invited him to the Chief Minister's residence and assured him of the government's support for environmental protection activities.