Kottayam (Kerala): To live, but every day Rajappan does a great virtue to nature. Finally, Rajappan has been lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his monthly programme Mann ki Baat. The people of Kumarakam in Kottayam know Rajappan. His loving neighbours call him 'Raju'. Rajappan travels in a small boat on lakes and streams to clear all plastic bottles. The story of the 67-year-old native of Manjadikari, Kumarakam was reported by ETV Bharat on July 11 last year.
PM Modi said, "I saw a news in Kerala, which proves our duty. There is an old man named N.S Rajappan in Kottayam. He can't walk due to paralysis in legs. But his dedication to cleanliness has not faded. Past few years, Rajappan has been clearing plastics from the lakes. Think about how high he is thinking. We too should take inspiration from Rajappan and make every possible contribution for sanitation."
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged him for his effort to fish out plastic bottles from Lake Vembanad, NS Rajappan expressed his gratitude for the mention. "I was pleased to hear that Prime Minister Modi mentioned my name in Mann ki Baat address. I listened to the radio programme at my neighbour's place," Rajappan told media persons. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi appreciated Rajappan from Kerala, for his contribution towards cleanliness, during the monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat'.
Rajappan goes to the backwaters to clear plastic bottles and make a meagre income. Rajappan travels to Kaippuzhayar, Pennar stream and Vembanad backwaters in a small rented boat. Rajappan has said that many areas of the lake have been cleared by him in six months. At that time, Rajappan had told to ETV Bharat that he wanted an engine-powered boat and a leak-proof house to continue this work.
With Agency Inputs
