🏔 From Garbage to Glory: Pradeep Sangwan's Himalayan Mission

OMG Podcast Ep 114

"When PM Modi called me, I asked: Sir, how do you find people like us?"

A Military School graduate who chose mountains over comfort. His garbage collection mission reached the Prime Minister. Twice.

🌟 Meet Pradeep Sangwan

Founded: Healing Himalayas (2014)
Mission: Transforming Himalayan waste management, one village at a time
Recognition: Featured in PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat (twice)

Impact By Numbers

2014 started cleaning the Himalayas
60+ villages transformed
Lakhs kg waste collected and processed
13 minutes phone conversation with PM Modi
7 years journey from wanderer to changemaker

"I'm a simple man trying to change the world in the simplest way."

🎯 Inside This Episode

Hard Truths

Living with garbage
Pilgrimage pollution
Why Europe sends waste to India
Money matters in social work

Solutions

Reverse supply chain for delivery apps
Material Recovery Facilities explained
Sustainable social entrepreneurship
Starting local

Journey

Military School discipline
7 years wandering
Consistency greater than connections
Desh Hit Sarvopari moment

💡 Game-Changing Ideas

Blinkit Zepto Solution

Delivery boys collect empty bags on return trips with monthly incentives
Not implemented yet

European Paradox

Indian recyclers prefer European waste because it is clean and sorted
We have recyclers but not systems

Textile Crisis

We use clothes until they become rags
Good for personal usage, difficult for recycling

Segregation Failure

10 houses follow rules
1 careless house breaks the entire chain

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