118-year-old swachchta commando still raring to fight

AHMEDABAD: He is 118 years old but continues to be the most energetic and daring warrior in the battle on trash. Trikam Bhanabhai Chauhan’s mission to make the world a cleaner place has been running for 40 years, and has given the swachchta commando many satisfying victories.
Armed with a broom, the super centenarian canvasses for cleanliness in Chiyada village of Bavla taluka in Ahmedabad every morning, urging residents to use dustbins.For the past four decades, he has been running a campaign to raise awareness, build solidarity, and mobilize support for his cleanliness initiative.
Chauhan believes in being the change he wishes to see in the world — he spends one full day a week sweeping his neighbourhood. Four times a week, he also devotes several hours to picking up plastic waste at the local bus stop. When he learns about a spot being heavily littered, he forms a group to clear the mess. “I know posters alone aren’t the answer, but spreading awareness and encouraging the community to be a part of the solution is a step in the right direction,” says Chauhan.
Chauhan’s enthusiasm has galvanized the people in his area to regularly pick up trash. “To move people to action, I need to be their inspiration,” Chauhan says. “Even stormy nights don’t deter me. When I make up my mind to clean a place, I give my hundred percent.” The talk of such endeavours lights up a sparkle in his eyes.
Chauhan does not have a birth certificate, but gram panchayat records list him as 118 years old. Though he has never staked the claim to this honour, panchayat members believe he deserves the title of the world's oldest man.