When I saw a Ganesh idol lying in the garbage… Influencer Divya Fofani speaks about how people forget the responsibility that comes after the celebration

Mumbai has always been known as the city of dreams - loud, restless, full of ambition and emotion. It’s a city that gives people opportunities, memories, and stories for a lifetime. But somewhere along the way, an uncomfortable question has started to surface: who is looking after Mumbai itself?Anchor, actor and entertainer Divya Fofani decided not to wait for someone else to answer that. Instead of posting long rants online or blaming the system, he simply showed up - gloves on, bags in hand - and started cleaning Mumbai’s beaches.What began as a small personal effort quickly turned into something much bigger. His Instagram series, “Day 1 of cleaning 1 kachra in Mumbai 🗑️”, and so on has been quietly taking over social media feeds. The videos feel simple and real - no dramatic background music, no preaching - just one person picking up garbage and reminding people that change doesn’t need permission. And people noticed. Thousands of Mumbaikars have started cheering him on, sharing his clips, and even joining clean-up drives themselves. In an age where most of us scroll past problems, Fofani’s videos feel like a gentle nudge saying: maybe we can do something too. Because the truth is, Mumbai needs saving - especially its beaches. These shores once meant evening walks, cutting chai, family outings, and watching the sun melt into the sea. Today, many of them are buried under plastic, leftover festival waste, and everyday neglect. The ocean keeps giving the city beauty and life, but we haven’t always returned the favour.Talking about how the initiative unexpectedly grew, Fofani said:“I honestly didn’t expect it to become this big. It feels overwhelming in the best way. When you start something with a simple intention, and people genuinely connect with it, it gives you hope that we all care more than we show online.But one moment that really stayed with me was when I saw a Ganesh idol lying in the garbage. That hit differently - it was really sad to see Ganeshji lying there. We worship with so much devotion, yet somewhere along the way, we forget the responsibility that comes after the celebration. Seeing Ganesh ji in that condition wasn’t just about religion, it was about respect.That moment strengthened my resolve. If one follower means I pick up one piece of garbage, then every small action matters. And I hope people don’t just watch these videos, but step out and become part of the change themselves.” Maybe that’s why his work connects so deeply. It isn’t loud activism or viral outrage. It’s honest effort. A reminder that cities are shaped by everyday people and everyday actions.Fofani’s journey feels less like a campaign and more like a wake-up call Mumbai didn’t realise it needed. Saving a city doesn’t always start with policies or big announcements. Sometimes, it begins with one person caring enough to stop, bend down, and clean what others walk past.