“I alone cannot change the world, but I can caste a stone across the water to create many ripples.”

                                                                                                        -  Mother Teressa 

Afroz Shah, a young Indian lawyer in Mumbai, who is synonymous with the world’s largest beach clean up project is a perfect example to the above statement. In October 2015, Afroz and his neighbour Harbansh Mathur, an 84-year-old, were frustrated with the piles of decomposing waste that had washed up and completely overwhelmed Versova beach. Determined to do something about it, the pair started cleaning up the beach themselves, one piece of trash at a time. For the first six to eight weeks, nobody joined. One fine day, two men approached Afroz and asked to join him. That was when Afroz knew it was going to be a success.

 What started as a duplet expedition, is now a family of more than 2, 00,000 citizens and 70,000 students who are regularly working on roster system (Weekly basis) to clean beaches, mangroves and rivers! The advocate’s initiative went on to become the inspiration for the ‘Clean Seas Campaign’ launched by the United Nations Environment Program and his tireless efforts made him the first Indian to earn the title of a ‘Champion of the Earth’ by UN. 

Despite of being a lawyer himself, he dropped the idea of filing a petition and single handedly took the lead for the mega- clean up. Strongly believing in the notion of ‘not passing the buck’, he chose not to play the blame game and hold the government responsible. He relished in this challenge, accepted the present situation and put his whole focus on working upon its solution. Shah sets an example making me believe to be the change that I want to see. He meticulously worked over the nuances of the problem which other’s cradle their noses at, portraying an ideal, responsible citizen of the world and thus, a true leader.

Furthermore, his ability to convince educated people and to educate the uneducated reiterates his leadership skills. While on one hand, his practical approach and motivating nature made him the favourite among the local residents, on the other hand his persuasion skills and the worthy cause he was working for brought out the leader within many.

Shah’s strategy of management is worth appreciation. His potential to influence members and to execute organizational changes emphasizes upon his strategic vision. Understanding the need of different age groups, he convinced them in distinct ways. In an interview, the beach man said that he used to persuade people by dining out with them so as to initiate fruitful conversations. In the slum areas, he appointed a special ‘task force’ whom he considered as agents of change. This ignited the spark of leadership within the young hearts and transformed them into role models. 

 In the Climate Change Leadership Porto summit 2019 he said, “We humans are confused between the two hats we wear. While we have started focussing more on that of wealth and power, we largely ignore the hat of us being simply a specie existing with other species; we need to balance out our contribution to the two.” This statement depicts his attachment to the cause he is working for. And for this, Shah won’t accept a hint of heroic achievement. He considers it his moral obligation to keep the earth, his home clean. The perfect balance between his professional life and what he considers his duty indicates his stability of mind.

 Earlier, Shah wasn’t well versed with social media but now it plays a preeminent role for communication and coordination within his foundation. To me, he also serves as an inspiration to always be receptive to the changing times and to upgrade myself in order to become a true leader.

 Afroz chose not to dodge the challenges, rather faced them with grit and gumption. Even though he faced criticism, his spirit did not flinch.  He and his volunteers were abused by goons for picking up garbage and also had to deal with administrative lethargy and non-clearance of the picked-up garbage. Yet, He found a way out and continued to work for the cause. This taught me the importance of the quality of being resilient within a leader.

 Also, his example made me learn to never lose hope and always have a positive outlook towards life. Although, he too had his own apprehensions, there wasn’t a single time when his forehead furrowed. His smiling face and cheerful personality earned him people’s trusts and efforts.

 Moreover, his example taught me to engage with myself to seek out answers to problems. I understood that life is not about alternatives, it is about making the right choices. I also analysed that to solve a big problem, one needs to work at the grassroot level. Ultimately, it is this individual course of action that becomes the building block of an evolution. 

 The advocate’s unique way of showing patriotism instilled the value of nation building within me. His commitment, self- awareness, courage, humility and the  affinity he shares for the cause he is working for, makes him a true leader for me. 

His miraculous journey to clean beaches and to get circular economy in our lives convinced me that every individual can be an agent of positive change. In no time, I became aware of my responsibilities and contribution as a change-maker and leader, realizing the importance of strong will and right attitude in life.

 Reference

https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/heroes-swachh-india-afroz-shah-36700/