Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Delhi Tutor's Free Classes Grow Into 250-Site Cleanup Movement
Vinay Das began giving free lessons to children in his neighbourhood in Delhi.
He noticed that nearby parks were full of rubbish, so he invited children to help clean them.
Since 2018, the children have cleaned about 250 public places.
About 1,600 children have joined the project, although fewer take part in each cleanup.
They also plant trees and care for them.
At the Munak canal, the team has cleaned part of the area and collected many discarded idols.
The work can be dangerous because rubbish may contain sharp objects and chemicals.
Das hopes the children will keep helping their communities wherever they go.
Vinay Das started free tuition for children in his neighbourhood in 2013 and began leading cleanups in 2018.
Around 1,600 children have joined the initiative, with about 350 taking part in cleanups at any given time.
The volunteers have cleaned about 250 parks, streets and other public spaces, and plant and tend saplings at some sites.
They also collect discarded religious idols; at the Munak canal, the team cleaned about three kilometres and reportedly removed more than 2,500 idols.
Das funds supplies, older students’ tutoring stipends and a free library through tuition fees of up to ₹600 and his registered NGO, Swasti Das Seva Samiti.
- Who
- Tutor Vinay Das and children from migrant working-class families in north-west Delhi.
- What
- A free-tuition project grew into a volunteer movement that cleans public spaces and collects discarded idols.
- When
- Das began free tuition in 2013; the cleanup effort began in 2018.
- Where
- Wazirpur and other public spaces in Delhi, including the Munak canal.
- Why
- Das wanted to address local garbage and teach children to take responsibility for their surroundings.
Initial concerns
Later support
Children's participation in cleanups
Initial concerns
Some parents initially questioned their children going out to clean when they were not doing housework at home, or disliked the idea of volunteering.
Later support
The article says those parents later supported the children, sometimes joined the work, or felt proud of them.
- Free tuition began
- 2013
- First reported cleanup drive
- 1 September 2018, led by a team of 150 children
- Public spaces cleaned
- About 250
- Children in the projects
- About 1,600; roughly 350 take part in cleaning drives at any time
- Munak canal work
- About three kilometres cleaned; Aaj Tak reported more than 2,500 idols removed
- Tuition fees
- Up to ₹600 for students in Classes 1–12
- NGO
- Swasti Das Seva Samiti, registered in 2024