Odisha: Japanese tourist leads cleanliness campaign on Puri beach

Puri, Mar 18: Akie Doi, a 38-year-old music and yoga instructor from Kanazawa, Japan, discovered her love for Puri during her first visit to Odisha in 2022. Since then, she has returned several times, and her latest trip has taken a unique turn, as she has dedicated herself to a cleanliness campaign on Puri beach. Doi has been actively picking up trash, drawing attention from local residents, hotel owners, and tourists alike.

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Two months into her stay, Doi has focused on keeping the beach area clean and encourages others to use the designated waste disposal sites.

She carries a banner with an image of Lord Jagannath, spreading awareness about cleanliness as she walks along the Puri Marine Drive.

Her efforts have earned praise from the local community.

Doi also communicates waste disposal practices to others using basic English and gestures, guiding them to the bins and demonstrating how to use them properly.

The Puri district administration has acknowledged her dedication. District collector Siddharth Shankar Swain remarked, "It’s inspiring to see a foreign tourist so committed to the Swachh Bharat mission and the cleanliness of Puri. We regularly run campaigns to educate people on maintaining the cleanliness and sanctity of this spiritual and tourist destination. We hope that Doi’s actions will motivate more visitors to prioritize cleanliness during their stays in Puri."