Mumbai’s Versova Beach gets a makeover, and Twitterati LOVE it!

And after 88 weeks of consistent efforts, things have certainly looked much better for Versova beach. And the pictures that have recently gone viral are proof of the efforts carried out by Shah and Versova Residents Volunteers (VRV), the group spearheading the movement.

This is versova beach an hour back. Week 85 of cleanup.Versova beach is gorgeous and clean now.we have done our bit.We need to maintain it. pic.twitter.com/98q9RD5aAg

— Afroz Shah (@AfrozShah1) May 20, 2017

During the 32nd edition of ‘Mann ki Baat’ in May, PM Modi lauded the efforts of volunteers who carried out the massive clean-up drive of the Versova beach.

“I feel proud to make a mention of something…a man can start a massive people’s movement. Recently you must have heard about Versova Beach, once considered very dirty, it has now become clean and beautiful. This has not happened overnight, locals have toiled for over 80 weeks,” the Prime Minister said in his address. He even acknowledged the efforts carried out by Afroz Shah and his contribution to the drive.

“I congratulate Mr. Afroz Shah and this movement…it is inspirational how he connected people,” Modi said. Shah, in response, said the Prime Minister’s words encouraged him and that the drive was a “demonstration of the incredible power of community-based volunteer work”.

Complement @AfrozShah1 & his team, BMC for removing 5 MillionKg of Filth in 85 weeks in #VersovaBeach,great initiative,Let it inspire others pic.twitter.com/iaLFe6Wpt8

— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) May 22, 2017

Shah’s efforts, however, were recognised beyond just a mention in the Prime Minister’s monthly address. In 2016, the United Nations presented Shah with a Champion of the Earth award for his effort to clean up the Versova Beach. UN’s International Clean Seas campaign in Indonesia was also started along the lines of these efforts.

A movement started by One @AfrozShah1 , joined by many however need to be sustained by everyone who ultimately made it dirty at first place https://t.co/PwiJVga5zo

— Pankaj Singhal (@AnyBodyCanFly) June 11, 2017

Week 88 cleanup ends. 300 fully grown coconut trees get their home at versova beach .Wonderful weekend .We go back to our roots. pic.twitter.com/BlI0Pjbz5E

— Afroz Shah (@AfrozShah1) June 11, 2017

Following the success of the drive, Shah and the residents of Versova haven’t stopped there. On the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, Shah, along with 500 volunteers of the VRV, planted nearly coconut 300 trees, in an effort to maintain whatever has already been achieved in cleaning the Versova beach.

Twitter is flooded with ecstatic before and photos of the beach, with people rejoicing in the change.

Thank you @AfrozShah1 for this fantastic dream come true of planting trees at #VersovaBeach all there r lovely & what a force u r to reckon😍

— Archana Pania (@Archanaapania) June 11, 2017

Thank you @AfrozShah1.. sir, you indeed set a benchmark for all of us.
Really happy, INCREDIBLE!👌☺@VersovaBeach #VersovaBeach #PeoplePower https://t.co/PupGBCoZaH

— AKSHAY (@4K5HAY) June 11, 2017

.@AfrozShah1 wins #EarthChamps award for his efforts in launching the world’s largest beach clean-up in Mumbai: https://t.co/4bGfOPIspX pic.twitter.com/9ynFoliaXf

— UN Environment (@UNEP) December 2, 2016

Versova hero @AfrozShah1 has idea to create a coconut lagoon (approx 5000 trees )at Versova beach which took off today with 200 plantations. pic.twitter.com/43gkRs1Tyi

— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) June 4, 2017

Brilliant stuff man

— Neil Dsouza (@bestofneil) June 12, 2017

Wonderful .. we need more #Afroz Shah .. Good Job Team keep going👏👏👍👍👍

— zaheer (@zaheerq8) June 12, 2017

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