Karnataka's Yuva Brigade, young couple win PM's praise in 'Mann Ki Baat'

The efforts of Anudeep and Minusha, who prioritised cleaning the littered beach over their honeymoon, figured in the Prime Minister’s ‘Mann ki Baat’

A newly-wed couple’s efforts to clean the Someshwar beach in Udupi district by postponing their honeymoon has won the praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The efforts of Anudeep and Minusha, who prioritised cleaning the littered beach over their honeymoon, figured in the prime minister’s monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address.

The couple decided to roll up their sleeves and clean the beach soon after their wedding. Anudeep Hegde, a marketing and advertising freelancer, married Minusha, an employee of a pharmaceutical company, on November 18 and with travel restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, their honeymoon plans had to be put away. Disturbed by the condition of the beach, the couple decided to embark on a mission to clean it completely.

“They both had seen that whenever people go out of their homes on trips, they leave behind a huge pile of garbage. The situation was the same in Someshwar beach,” the prime minister said.

He said Anudeep and Minusha cleared a lot of garbage from the beach and shared their resolve on social media.

"Anudeep and Minusha decided to clean the garbage accumulated on Someshwara beach. Anudeep also shared this commitment on social media, and, inspired by his noble thought, many other youths joined them. You will be surprised to know that these people collectively cleared over 800 kgs of garbage from Someshwara beach," PM Modi said.

“Inspired by their noble thought, many other youths joined them. You will be surprised to know that these people collectively cleared over 800 kg of garbage from Someshwar beach,” Modi said.

“Today day we can never forget. What started as a small commitment after our wedding gets mentioned by my Inspiration which made us do this. This is totally unbelievable. No words to express my happiness. Together we can make a difference @narendramodi @PMOIndia @swachhbharat,” Anudeep tweeted later.

The efforts of a group of youth under the banner ‘Yuva Brigade’ to transform the dilapidated 300-year-old Veerabhadreshwara temple in Srirangapatna in Mandya district also earned accolades from Modi.

Fifteen youths from different professions took out time on weekends, cleaned the temple premises, and restored its old grandeur. Pujas have also resumed there now.

The Yuva Brigade swung into action after seeing videos of the temple shrouded in weeds, creepers, and hidden behind shrubs and thorny bushes on social media, Modi said in his speech.

Seeing this, local people extended a helping hand by offering cement, paint, and other materials to restore the temple, he said.

The members managed to get an electricity connection to the temple and also got a door fixed to its entrance.

Following the restoration, the team members sent a letter and photographs of the temple to the Office of the PM.

Yuva Brigade member Ranjith said, “We are proud as the PM acknowledged our efforts.” He thanked team members Sandesh, Kiran, Manoj, Deekshith, Suraj, Sharat, Lokesh and others.