Unsung hero: 83-year-old keeps his street in Bengaluru spotless

Meet Suryanarayana, an 83-year-old man who dedicates two hours daily to sweeping his street, bringing immense joy and satisfaction.

For over a decade, Madhusudan V., a resident of HSR Layout, had been curious about the spotless street he often strolled along. A few days ago, he finally discovered the secret — an 83-year-old man dedicates two hours every day to sweeping the street.

Meet Suryanarayana, a retired automobile professional who moved to Bengaluru from Sringeri in 2001. For the past 20 years, this has been his unwavering routine. “I simply cannot sit idle and watch my street remain unclean,” he explains.

This is not to say that civic workers neglect their duties. They used to clean the street when he first started his own sweeping efforts, and they continue to do so regularly. However, Suryanarayana, now 83, still hits the streets every morning, diligently sweeping a 150-metre stetch

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Suryanarayana said he always strives to keep himself engaged, and this activity, now an integral part of his daily routine, brings him immense joy.

“Apart from the street, I also clean the shoulder drains in all seasons. During the monsoon, silt accumulates in the drain, and I manually desilt it. The mud collected from the drain is then used to fertilise plant beds or pots. This simply gives me immense satisfaction,” he said. Most of the time, he is seen diligently removing fallen leaves.

When asked about civic workers, he acknowledged that BBMP workers visit the area frequently. However, he insists on continuing his own cleaning efforts regardless. He has vowed to continue this work for as long as he has the strength.

Mr. Madhusudan said this street is his favourite for walks because of its impeccable cleanliness. Mr. Suryanarayana is a true example of how to be connected to our surroundings,” he said.