Indian Consulate organizes beach clean-up campaign in famous Brazilian tourist town

As an initiative of India’s G-20 presidency, the campaign was organized globally and the major focus of it was Brazil as the South American country will take over G-20 Presidency from India in September 2023

Our Bureau
Guarujá, SP

The Consulate General of India and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Sao Paulo, in collaboration with City Hall Guarujá organized a cleaning campaign titled “Mega Beach Clean Up” in this beautiful beach town on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

As an initiative of India’s G-20 presidency, the campaign was organized globally and the major focus of it was Brazil as the South American country will take over G-20 Presidency from India in September 2023.

Led by Indian Consul General (CG) Manisha Swami, diplomats of Indian consulate and their families along with SVCC director Dr Jyoti Shukla and City Hall secretary and other staff gathered at the beach around 9 30 in the morning. Indian Association (IASP) president Shobhan Saxena and cultural director Vijay Bavaskar along with members of the community from Sao Paulo joined the effort at the beach of the vacation town which is famous for its beauty and food. Head of Chancery Harish Baxla and Consul Adarsh Mishra and other officials of the Consulate also participated in the event.  

Addressing the gathering at Praia das Astúrias beach in Guarujá, CG Manisha Swami said, “It is a matter of great significance that we have organized this campaign in Brazil today as our leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula met at the G-7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. The campaign is a symbol of growing cooperation between our two countries.” The head of Indian mission in Sao Paulo thanked the City Hall, IASP and other volunteers who joined the campaign.

Before the group of Indian officials, members of the community and local volunteers, collected green bags and blue gloves to begin the beach-cleaning activity, City Hall secretary thanked the Indian Consul General and members of the community for their initiative. “You all are always welcome to this city. It is your home,” said the secretary, adding that on Saturday, May 27, the beach town will be hosting a Yoga Day event being organized by the Indian Consulate.

Though the beach in the town is maintained well, the group of volunteers walked along the blue waters, picking plastic bottles, wrappers and other discarded bits in the green bags which were brought back to the starting point before disposed of by the City Hall staff. It was a sign of a positive impact of the campaign that a number of local people, walking or jogging along the beach, stopped by thanked the Indian officials and community members for the campaign in the town which attracts a huge number tourists from all over the state of Sao Paulo.

After more than two hours of cleaning activity, the group retired to a kiosk by the main city road passing by the beach to relish vegetable biryani provided by Samosa & Company restaurant of Sao Paulo as Indians and Brazilians shared ideas and thoughts on culture and other cooperation between the two countries.