Why is this Serbian man cleaning Indian streets?
#CleanIndia #ViralVideo #Viral #IndiaNews #OnCamera #CleanlinessDrive #SwachhBharat
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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
From Novak Djokovic's homeland to Gurgaon's streets: One man is on a garbage cleanup mission
Armed with a rake, gloves, trash bags, and wearing gumboots, this 32-year-old man neatly clears and collects trash that he finds on the streets of Gurgaon's Sector 55. But he's not a local on a civic mission — he's Lazar Jankovic, a Serbian national. 'India is too beautiful to be this dirty,' he tells The Indian Express. 'Main bas chahta hu ki log apne ghar aur dukaan ke saamne ke 2 metre saaf rakhe (I just want people to keep two metres in front of their homes and/or shops clean).' Lazar has embarked on a campaign he calls 'a journey to clean India'. Beginning with Sector 55 five days ago, he started a week-long drive on August 8 called 'Ek Din Ek Gully (One Day, One Street)'', which will last till Independence Day. On day 2 of the drive, several people joined him. On Day 4, he filmed a video, starting with two lines from a popular Punjabi track, 'Ki banu duniya da, sache badshah Waheguru jaane (What will happen to the world, only the Almighty knows).' Asked what prompted the campaign, he says, 'It was when I saw a man in a suit just jump past garbage outside his house and enter his SUV… it would have taken just two minutes to pick it up.' ''As long as it's outside my house, it's not my problem' — this is the attitude of most people in India… Stop pointing fingers and take action, and you will see the difference,' he asserts. Lazar arrived in India in 2018 for modeling assignments and to practice yoga. After spending a few years in Bengaluru, he moved to Gurgaon last year. Since August 2024, he's been tackling the Millennium City's trash, albeit on a small scale. He also takes up modelling gigs across NCR. In one of his videos, he asks influencers in India to make content on cleaning the country ahead of Independence Day, ending his request with a 'Jai Hind'. 'Influencers here tend not to post about cleanliness,' he explains. Meanwhile, residents have largely welcomed Lazar's cleanup efforts, sharing his work on society WhatsApp groups. But some raise concerns about the long-term impact. 'Within 24 hours, the trash bags (that Lazar keeps by the side of the road in areas that don't have dustbins) are torn open by stray dogs and cows, and the garbage piles up again,' says Vinita Sinha, RWA president of Sushant Lok A and A1 blocks. Sinha says her observations come from daily morning walks through the streets he's cleaned. 'He should have a more organised set-up, rather than just making symbolic videos.' But Lazar insists he's not in it for the views. 'Even if I cleaned the streets every day for the rest of my life, they still wouldn't be garbage-free,' he says. 'I love India — I want to relax on Goa's beaches or meditate in the Himalayas without seeing trash and bottles scattered around.' He's quick to clarify that he's not looking for volunteers — but for people to stop littering. 'India loves seeing people as heroes or villains. I am just a Serbian guy doing my bit; the real change has to come from you all.' He plans on getting married and staying here at least six months a year, calling it his 'home'. On Thursday, he was in Delhi for an awareness drive — and wasn't spared by the downpour. 'My cab was stuck on the road for hours, and when I finally switched to a bike, I kept getting splashed by passing buses,' he says. Finally, he has a message for NRIs who offer to fund his cleaning drives: 'Ghar aa ja pardesi (Come home, immigrant).'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
‘One Day One Street': Serbian man takes up challenge ahead of Independence day; sweeps Gurugram roads
A Serbian national has embarked on a unique cleanliness campaign in India, pledging to clean one street per day until India's Independence Day on August 15. Operating under the social media handle @4CleanIndia, he launched the initiative "Ek Din Ek Gully" (One Day One Street), which has gained significant traction on Instagram and sparked discussions about civic responsibility among Indians. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The campaign began with the Serbian national announcing his seven-day challenge to clean Indian streets. He shared his commitment through social media, stating, "Aaj se shuru ho jaata hai. I am challenging myself for the next seven days to clean each day, one street in India. Till Independence Day. Let's see how it goes..." Using a shovel, he has been documenting his daily cleanup efforts while encouraging local participation. In his videos, he can be heard saying, "India ko saaf rakhna hai. Theek hai? Sabko bolna hai," urging people to maintain cleanliness in India. His efforts have garnered attention on social media platforms, with many Indians expressing both appreciation and embarrassment that a foreigner has taken such initiative. "Utter shame. This man will keep cleaning but Indians will not improve. It's impossible because our focus is higher education and not lower education," wrote one user on X, sharing the Serbian national's Instagram content. Another social media user commented on the need for such initiatives to motivate Indians: "Need 1000s of these community-minded goras to shame Indians into cleaning their streets. Maybe promote this as some kind of Altruism Tourism – 7 Night 8 Day Indian Cleaning Tour – Clean the dirt and your spirits." A Delhi-based user highlighted the importance of civic responsibility and government action: "Have been doing clean up drives in and around Delhi for so long. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But real change will only happen when everyone stops littering around & govt enforces strict penalties. Clean cities need responsible citizens + strict actions, not just volunteers." The Serbian national has also reached out to Indian influencers, requesting their participation in promoting cleanliness awareness. He specifically called upon influencers to create content about cleaning India on Independence Day: "Please, this Friday, Independence Day is coming. Make content regarding cleaning India. You have the power. You have so many people following you. Let's take one day for our country. Let's make a change together." His final message emphasized the importance of widespread participation: "This Friday, 15th of August, make content regarding cleaning India. If you have 1 million followers or 1000 followers, let's bring awareness to this. I am expecting all of you. Jai Hind." The campaign has sparked discussions about civic responsibility and cleanliness in India, with social media users acknowledging that "civic sense is everyone's responsibility, and we should take the lead in our own country."
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Why is this Serbian man cleaning Indian streets?
Lazar, a Serbian national living in India, has taken up a 7-day challenge to clean one street a day until August 15. From breaking 'dirty India' stereotypes to sparking debates about motives — his videos have the internet talking. #CleanIndia #ViralVideo #Viral #IndiaNews #OnCamera #CleanlinessDrive #SwachhBharat
