logo
From Dadar to Cannes: Dadar Beach warriors take India's coastal conservation to the global stage

From Dadar to Cannes: Dadar Beach warriors take India's coastal conservation to the global stage

Hindustan Times28-05-2025
MUMBAI: What began as a local effort to clean up Mumbai's polluted beaches has now gone global.
Chinu Kwatra, fondly known as the 'Dadar Beach Warrior', and his team of dedicated volunteers known as the Beach Warriors have made an indelible mark not only on Mumbai's coastline but also on the global consciousness. Their story received international recognition on Friday, with the screening of the documentary 'Oceans Under Siege' at the 10th Positive Cinema Week held in Cannes to highlight positive films from over the world.
For Chinu, this moment is nothing short of surreal. 'I'm just an ordinary guy from Thane. Being featured at Cannes wasn't even a dream,' he said. 'But the love of the ocean has brought us here from Dadar to France. Now, maybe 0.1% of the world will know about our efforts, and that's more than I ever imagined.'
The 10th Positive Cinema Week, organised by the Positive Planet Foundation, was held from May 21 to 24. 'Oceans Under Siege', made on the theme of 'legacy waste' (plastic and other debris that have accumulated over time in oceans), was also screened at a dedicated event at CNC beach, Cannes. The film is part of a larger international initiative that began with a conversation between Franco-Colombian scientist Carlos Moreno and Indian documentary filmmaker Meghatithi.
Made by Meghatithi, the film highlights the great initiative of beach clean-ups carried out by Kwatra and his Beach Warriors. 'The film was screened for four minutes and deeply appreciated by the engaged audience at the event,' Meghatithi told HT from France. 'Concerned about the deteriorating state of oceans, they decided to spotlight positive, solution-driven stories from around the globe.'
Meghatithi chose to highlight the legacy waste problem in the city's waters and the community-led initiatives working to tackle it. This brought him to Kwatra and the Beach Warriors team, which has spent over seven and a half years cleaning Mumbai's beaches.
To date, Kwatra has removed over 4,000 tonnes of garbage from the coastline and continues to conduct cleanups on four beaches every weekend. The Beach Warriors mission has drawn support from a gamut of volunteers, from enthusiastic college students to Bollywood celebrities like Raghav Juyal, Dia Mirza, Kirti Kulhari, Babil Khan, Guru Randhawa, Esha Gupta, Adah Sharma and many others. Students from institutions such as SIES College, Kirti College, Kohinoor Business School, Andrews College and Chetna College have become integral to the effort.
Recognition at an international level has only further fuelled their motivation. The Beach Warriors are not just cleaning up; they're building sustainable systems. Their pioneering effort led to India's first Materials Recovery Facility for beach waste where plastic debris is transformed into useful items like school benches.
'We're creating school benches from recycled beach plastic waste, which we'll donate to rural schools across India, completing the sustainability loop,' Kwatra told HT. 'The film's screening is a testament to the impact of our work, and we're excited to take on new challenges and make an even bigger difference. This recognition will now help us reach more like-minded people, amplifying our impact and inspiring a wider audience to join our cause.'
The monsoon season, typically seen as a hurdle in many initiatives, becomes an opportunity for this team. As the tides bring in waves of waste, the Beach Warriors swing into action, collecting and sorting large volumes of garbage that would otherwise re-enter the ocean.
Encouragingly, the movement resonates deeply with Gen Z. Younger volunteers are increasingly joining the cause, not just for the sake of participation but with a deep-rooted sense of responsibility. 'They're more eco-conscious,' said Kwatra. 'While many still litter without a thought, these young warriors are actively learning how to manage waste and set an example for others.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

TRP Report Week 28: TMKOC ratings drop as Bhootni track ends, Laughter Chefs enters top 5 but Anupamaa...
TRP Report Week 28: TMKOC ratings drop as Bhootni track ends, Laughter Chefs enters top 5 but Anupamaa...

Pink Villa

time23 minutes ago

  • Pink Villa

TRP Report Week 28: TMKOC ratings drop as Bhootni track ends, Laughter Chefs enters top 5 but Anupamaa...

The TRP report for week 28 has been released. Every Thursday, BARC publishes its TRP ratings for Indian television shows, indicating which programs performed best the previous week. For the past four weeks, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has held the top position on the TRP chart, consecutively followed by Anupamaa and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Now, the latest TRP report is out, and the results differ significantly from those of last week. Here are the top 5 shows of this week 1- Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai stars Samridhii Shukla and Rohit Purohit in lead roles. For the past few weeks, the show has ranked in the third spot. However, this week, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has secured the top spot on the TRP chart. The ratings of this longest-running daily soap have also improved. While the show received a 2.0 rating last week, this week's rating is 2.1. 2- Anupamaa Anupamaa remains consistent in its second spot. The Rupali Ganguly-led drama, which also stars Adrija Roy and Shivam Khajuria in lead roles, has been successfully entertaining the audience. Last week, the show got a 2.0 rating. However, it appears that the new storyline has kept audiences hooked, as the ratings have slightly improved. This week, the show received a 2.1 rating, which is similar to Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. 3- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah From number 1 to number 3, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has experienced a significant decline after several weeks. The show, which had been continuously ruling the TRP chart, has dropped to third place. Not only the rank but the show's ratings have also dropped massively. Last week, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah got a 2.6 rating. This week, the show has a 2.1 rating. 4- Udne Ki Aasha The Kanwar Dhillon and Neha Harsora starrer show Udne Ki Aasha remains consistent. Like the past few weeks, the show also ranked in the fourth spot this week. However, the ratings of this drama have seen a slight dip. Last week, the show got a 2.0 rating. This week, Udne Ki Aasha got a 1.9 rating. 5- Laughter Chefs The only reality show that has managed to rank in the top 5 is Laughter Chefs. The second season of the cooking reality show is in its final leg. The upcoming two episodes will be the grand finale episode of Laughter Chefs. Ahead of the show's conclusion, Laughter Chefs managed to entertain the audience as it entered the top 5. The show has a 1.8 rating this week.

From Kanaappa and Sarzameen to Mandala Murders and Samshayam: Watch latest OTT releases on Netflix, JioHotstar, Prime Video
From Kanaappa and Sarzameen to Mandala Murders and Samshayam: Watch latest OTT releases on Netflix, JioHotstar, Prime Video

Time of India

time23 minutes ago

  • Time of India

From Kanaappa and Sarzameen to Mandala Murders and Samshayam: Watch latest OTT releases on Netflix, JioHotstar, Prime Video

Indian OTT platforms are set for a blockbuster weekend on July 25, 2025, with a diverse range of releases across languages. Viewers can anticipate action thrillers, emotionally charged dramas, and gritty web series on platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and JioHotstar. The lineup includes star-studded casts and gripping narratives, promising something for every taste. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Hindi Movies Sarzameen (JioHotstar) Mandala Murders (Netflix) Rangeen (Prime Video) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega (Amazon MX Player) Telugu movies Kannappa (Prime Video) Show Time (Sun NXT) Maargan (Prime Video) Malayalam movies Samshayam (Manorama Max) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ronth (JioHotstar) Ittymaani: Made in China (ETV Win) As July 25, 2025, approaches, Indian OTT platforms are gearing up for a blockbuster weekend with a diverse slate of releases across languages. From action-packed thrillers to emotionally charged dramas and gritty web series, there's something for everyone. Here's a look at the major films and shows dropping this weekend across Prime Video, Netflix, JioHotstar, and more:Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan headline Sarzameen, a military drama making its direct-to-OTT debut on July 25. The Kayoze Irani-directed film explores the emotional and political fallout of an army officer's family caught in a storm of terrorism and national duty. Available in multiple Murders drops on Netflix with Vaani Kapoor and Surveen Chawla in the lead. Set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, the mystery thriller revolves around detectives investigating a string of ritualistic killings linked to ancient secrets and cryptic prophecies. Expect a twisted, high-stakes Kumar Siingh leads the quirky drama Rangeen, premiering on Prime Video. The story follows Adarsh, a quiet man whose life spirals after discovering his wife's betrayal. Mixing humour with emotional introspection, the nine-episode series is backed by Kabir Khan and promises a wild, reflective Shroff and Suniel Shetty reunite in Hunter 2, streaming from July 24. In this high-octane action series, ACP Vikram Sinha dives into a darker maze to save his daughter while confronting a charming yet dangerous villain. Season 2 promises more action and emotional Vishnu's mythological epic Kannappa is all set to make its OTT debut on Prime Video. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the visually grand film first hit theatres on June 27. With a star-studded cast including Prabhas, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, and Mohan Babu, this retelling of Indian mythology promises an immersive Chandra's crime thriller Show Time arrives on Sun NXT on July 25. The film explores the devastating ripple effects of an accidental murder on a middle-class family. As guilt and fear take over, their bonds are tested in a spiral of lies and paranoia. The film also stars Kamakshi Bhaskarla and VK a theatrical release on June 27, Vijay Antony's Maargan gears up for its digital premiere on Prime Video in both Tamil and Telugu. Directed by Leo John Paul, this gripping crime thriller features Ajay Dhishan, Samuthirakani, and Brigida. Antony not only headlines the film but also composed its Forrt and Sharaf U Dheen lead the cast of Samshayam, a feel-good Malayalam family comedy that quietly impressed at the box office. Now streaming on Manorama Max, the film is appreciated for its clever storytelling and relatable acclaimed writer-director Shahi Kabir, Ronth follows rookie cop Dinnath and his senior Yohannan as they navigate the gritty realities of night patrol duty. Though it earned praise for its authenticity, the film stirred debate online for some of its controversial 2019 Malayalam comedy-drama Ittymaani: Made in China gets a Telugu release on ETV Win on July 24. While the film didn't fare well at the box office initially, it stars fan favourites like Radhika Sarathkumar and Honey Rose, and is now reaching a new audience.

Indias first ever LGBTQ film's restored version to lead Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025
Indias first ever LGBTQ film's restored version to lead Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

Time of India

time41 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Indias first ever LGBTQ film's restored version to lead Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), now in its 16th year, continues to set a global benchmark for cultural celebration and cinematic inclusivity. As the largest Indian film festival held outside of India, and the only one officially backed by the Government of another country, the Government of Victoria, Australia, it proudly stands as a beacon for representation, diversity, and community engagement. This year, the film festival will screen nearly 75 films that reflect themes of inclusivity spanning gender, race, sexuality, disability, and women's representation. One of the most anticipated highlights of the festival is the LGBTQ+ Pride Night scheduled for August 22, which promises to be a powerful tribute to queer cinema and Queer South Asian identity in Australia The Pride Night will feature the screening of the restored version of Badnaam Basti India's first-ever LGBTQ film originally released in 1971. The film's legacy will be honoured by this rare showcase, followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun , a tender queer love story directed by acclaimed filmmaker Onir. Speaking about the festival's commitment to representation, director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said "At IFFM, we believe cinema has the power to connect and create conversations. It is our responsibility to reflect on the world we live in, with all its beautiful diversity. This Pride Night is not just about celebrating queer identity but also reclaiming the space that has long been denied to LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema. Through films like Badnaam Basti and We Are Faheem and Karun, we honour the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling." IFFM 2024 continues to break ground by celebrating cinema that reflects the kaleidoscope of human experiences, ensuring that voices from every corner of society are seen, heard, and celebrated on the global stage.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store