Real Superheroes Don't Wear Capes. They Wear Raincoats And Collect Beach Waste.

Debarati Chakraborty
Jun 18
3 min read

Updated: Aug 20

Welcome to the fourth edition of Panaji xPress! That it landed on World Environment Day was no coincidence. Because as our 2025 theme suggests, 'It’s About Time' we turned the spotlight on conservation.

This World Environment Day, TEDxPanaji joined hands with I-Help Foundation Goa for a powerful act of community: a much-needed Beach Clean-Up Drive at Dona Paula.

What 16 volunteers and a beach full of waste taught us on World Environment Day

Not even the rain could deter these warriors

Just as we began rolling up our sleeves, the skies opened up. But not one of the 16 volunteers flinched. The downpour only strengthened everyone's resolve.

Plastic wrappers were collected, bits of fishing nets were detangled and glass bottles were picked up. Everyone kept at it with smiles, laughter and a shared mission: to leave the beach better than they found it.

We packed three big bags of chappals! No, really.

The surprise of the morning? Not the plastic bottles, not the wrappers, not even the broken glass.

It was the staggering number of abandoned chappals! There were hundreds and hundreds of them. Three full bags later, we were left asking: Have Goa’s beaches become a graveyard for footwear? Did their owners walk home barefoot?

Either way, this flip-flop fiasco is more than litter. It’s a footprint of neglect. Next time you hit the shore, ask yourself: Will I carry back my waste? Or will it become someone's cleanup statistic?

'It's About Time' we cared for our beaches

Despite our best efforts, the beach still carried the weight of years of carelessness. But what we carried away, besides bags of waste, was a deeper realisation: even the smallest acts of care can spark change. And what truly matters is those who show up.

And here’s to those who showed up and stood out:

Federal Bank employees: Seven officials from the Panaji branch came in early, cleaned hard and then headed straight to work. “The bank never stops,” they said, and clearly neither do they.

Priyanka Chandalia: Goa's much-loved DJ and music producer and a volunteer for I-Help Goa Foundation.

Johnny D’Souza: An acclaimed bodybuilder from Goa who has represented India in various championships.

Youth volunteers: Bright-eyed and rain-soaked, they brought serious energy and zero complaints.

Sponsor: Doorstep Services

Organisers: TEDxPanaji and I-Help Foundation Goa

Beyond the stats: The real impact of the beach clean-up drive

Location: Dona Paula, Panaji, Goa
Turnout: 16 volunteers
Collection: Over 10 bags of waste, including plastic bottles, caps, wrappers, nets, glass and beer bottles and (of course) chappals

To the volunteers: you didn’t just show up, you showed up in the rain.

To the coastline: this was just the beginning, we can't wait to do more.

TEDxPanaji champions who led the way

Sagar Honnali (Project Manager - Social Media Content & Planning)
Vishwanath Bhat (Project Manager - Partnerships & Collaborations)
Diya Padiyar (Content Creator & Social Media Executive)

What are we planning next?

As our 2025 theme says, “It’s About Time.” Time to act, to show up and to protect what protects us. So, expect:

More community-driven events
Large participation from locals
Socially relevant movements

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That’s a wrap on Edition #4.

We are thrilled to be bringing you these updates each week. See you next week!

Curated by: Debarati Chakraborty, Communications & Media Strategist, TEDxPanaji