Unsung Legends: Arun Krishnamurthy — The Boy Who Cleaned a Lake

“ Sunday Stories: The Success Secrets of Extraordinary”

Arun Krishnamurthy was just 17 when he realised something heartbreaking—
the lake he grew up visiting, the one where he once watched birds glide and dragonflies dance, had become a garbage ground.

Most people looked at the mess and said,
“The government should clean this.”
Others just clicked pictures and posted them online.

But Arun did something different.

He stood at the edge of the polluted water, took a deep breath, picked up a sack, and took the first step.

That day, Arun didn’t clean the whole lake.
He didn’t inspire thousands.
He didn’t have funds, volunteers, or a plan.
He had just one thing: the courage to begin.

He returned the next day… and the next.
Slowly, people noticed. A few joined him. Some brought gloves, others came with their families.

What started as one teenager with a sack grew into a movement.

Arun then founded EFI — Environmental Foundation of India, an organisation committed to restoring water bodies.

From small ponds to massive lakes, his team began cleaning, desilting, fencing, creating awareness, and bringing back lost ecosystems.

It wasn’t glamorous work. It meant mud, sweat, sunburns, trash, and endless hours.
But Arun believed something powerful:
“If we don’t fix our environment, who will?”

Today, he leads thousands of volunteers and has helped restore over 150 lakes across India.
Thanks to him, once-dead lakes now bloom with birds, fish, and fresh water again.

You don’t need to wait for permission, perfect conditions, or popularity.
You just need to take the first courageous step—
whether it's cleaning a corner of your classroom, planting a sapling, helping a friend, or starting a change in your own neighbourhood.

Big movements always begin with one person who decides:
“I’ll do something about it.”
You could be that person.

✨ Lesson for Teens ✨

Complaints change nothing.
Action changes everything.

🌟 Campaign Note 🌟  

“If Arun can restore 150 lakes… what’s the one thing YOU can restore today?”

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