Randeep Hooda Assists “Extraction” of Trash From Versova Beach

The Covid-19-induced lockdown has served as a reminder that when humans stop intervening, nature gives itself the time to heal. However, three months are barely enough to undo decades of damage. Conscious efforts to save and aid the healing of the environment are the need of the hour, and Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda is not one to back away from lending a helping hand to the cause.

Over the weekend, as Mumbai experienced heavy rainfall and high tides, beaches across the city were once again left covered with plastic and waste material regurgitated by the sea. With lockdown relaxations in place, Hooda took matters into his own hands as he stepped out to volunteer for the Versova beach clean-up drive.

Taking to Instagram to share the moment with his fans, the Extraction actor described the beach as the “backyard of humanity” and pointed out its pitiful state.

View this post on Instagram

This is the backyard of humanity and it’s not pretty..being a #Safaikarmachari (cleaning worker) with the inspirational @afrozshah_ to clean my backyard, helping the tireless @my_bmc #frontlineworkers in the #MumbaiRains maintaining #SocialDistancing #masks let’s start respecting #MotherNature 🙏🏽 what is your backyard ? Have you seen it lately? Let’s do our bit wherever we are #ocean #savetheplanet #savetheocean #noplanetb #environment

A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda) on Jul 5, 2020 at 8:06am PDT

Teaming up with environmentalist and lawyer Afroz Shah, Randeep Hooda, as a self-proclaimed “#Safaikarmachari” (cleaning worker), can be seen picking the litter across the beach, collecting plastic bottles and helping the BMC workers and volunteers load the man-made garbage into the truck. Amid the pandemic, Hooda also emphasised social distancing.

Afroz Shah, who was recognised as a “Champion of the Earth” in 2016 by the United Nations, revealed that the group cleaned up “4 tractor load[s] of single-use plastic litter and garbage out of the ocean”.

Week 248#Safaikarmachari #Alonetime #MumbaiRains – Ocean pukes plastic pollution

Heavy rains and heavy cleaning with @mybmc and my dear friend @RandeepHooda – with social distancing and rules

4 tractor load of single use plastic litter and garbage out of the ocean.

Our bit pic.twitter.com/nIZpl1Bd2F

— Afroz shah (@AfrozShah1) July 5, 2020

This isn’t the first time that Randeep Hooda has participated in the drive. In 2017, the actor volunteered to help clean up Juhu beach following the events of Ganesh Visarjan. Hooda has also teamed up with Shah in the past to help with beach clean-up drives across the city. Shah is also the man behind the world’s largest beach clean-up at Versova.

Thank you @AfrozShah1 fr showing us the way to actually be able to do something for our planet,our country,our future #VersovaBeach #Respect pic.twitter.com/NBDhWF4Tix

— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) September 6, 2017

To anyone who follows the actor on social media, Randeep Hooda’s love and passion for nature and the wildlife would not come across as a surprise. The star continues to use his platform to share and educate his followers on the state of the environment and creates a space for discussion.

When Environmental mess & exploitation was staring at me-My 1st response was "somebody else must clear the mess”. The truth was "We are in it together and I must also be responsible" so Inspired by on ground doers like @Afrozshah1 I do my bit in my backyard. Do u?#BeTheChange pic.twitter.com/ch4x4z14F4

— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) July 6, 2020

One user calls him a role model for the younger generation, and rightfully so.