“My journey to becoming a plogger is one of self-discovery, passion, and purpose.
Have you heard the word ‘Plogging’?
Did you know that plogging burns more calories than jogging?
Yes, plogging is what I do, and urge everyone else to do as well.
After completing my Master’s in Learning and Development in London, I returned to India in 2018. Teaching has always been my calling. As an educator at The Learning Community at Quest, I’ve loved being the “fun teacher,” inspiring my students not just academically but holistically. Little did I know, my path would intertwine with a movement that reflected my deepest values.
In 2023, I was thrilled to be a part of the India-UK Achievers Award event as a project manager. It was a surreal experience meeting prominent figures, including members of the UK Parliament. During this event, I met Vivek, who introduced me to the concept of plogging. Plogging – a Swedish term that combines jogging with picking up litter – was a revelation. It wasn’t just about fitness; it was about leaving the world a cleaner place. As someone who’s always carried a bag to collect trash during my travels and who long ago stopped bursting crackers, this aligned perfectly with my beliefs.
Vivek’s Pune Ploggers community inspired me. Why not bring this to Chennai? This year, I started my own plogging community here – Chennai Ploggers. It’s not just about cleaning up; it’s about building a sense of community, involving my students, and encouraging people to see keeping our surroundings clean as joyful and fulfilling. One of the significant reasons I started plogging was my two pillars of support: Sharanya Dilip from Quest and Vivek Gurav from Pune Ploggers.
The journey isn’t always easy – it’s more than just picking up litter. It’s about changing mindsets, inspiring others, and embracing collective responsibility. Every cleanup I do reinforces the idea that we can make an impact, one small step at a time. For me, plogging isn’t a chore; it’s a celebration of harmony with nature. Together, we can make clean living a way of life – and it’s this belief that keeps me going.”