In Gurugram, Haryana, a Serbian national is proving that one person’s dedication can spark a wave of change. Through his “Ek Din – Ek Gully” initiative, he has been cleaning one street, park, or locality each day-and in just a few days, his efforts have captured the attention of thousands.
While discussions about keeping India clean have been ongoing for years, action on the ground is often limited. This foreigner, however, decided to go beyond words. Starting just four days ago, he shared videos of himself cleaning different parts of Gurugram- popularly known as the ‘Millennium City’. The first day’s effort alone began drawing locals who offered to help, and the movement has only grown since.
Building momentum before Independence Day
The Serbian cleaner has made it clear that his goal is to keep up the mission until at least August 15, Independence Day. So far, he has uploaded four videos showcasing his work, all under his Instagram handle @4cleanindia. His bio proudly reads: “Serbian on a journey of cleaning India. Keep India Clean.”
Praise, inspiration, and a bit of shame
With over 3,000 views on his recent posts, Indian netizens have been quick to applaud his spirit. Many called him “a hero India needs” and thanked him for being an inspiration. Some even admitted feeling ashamed that it took a foreigner to push locals into action.
One user commented, “It’s high time Indian schools adopt the Japanese model-making students clean classrooms daily to build civic sense.” Others vowed to begin cleaning their neighborhoods after seeing his example.
A simple idea, A big impact
The “Ek Din-Ek Gully” initiative may sound small, but it reflects the core idea behind Swachh Bharat Abhiyan- that individual responsibility is the key to a cleaner nation. According to civic experts, community-driven efforts like this help create sustainable change by motivating people to take ownership of their surroundings.
As more residents of Gurugram join him, this Serbian volunteer has shown that keeping India clean isn’t about grand policies alone- it’s about everyday choices. His story is a reminder that the nation’s cleanliness is a shared duty, and sometimes, it takes just one determined individual to lead the way.
