By PTI

KOTTAYAM: It was just days ago former United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) chief Erik Solheim shared a small video on paralysis-hit N S Rajappan collecting plastic waste from Kerala's scenic Vembanad Lake despite his disability and said he should be made famous.

And Rajappan got the recognition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his "Mann Ki Baat" programme on Sunday hailed his commitment towards cleanliness, saying all should emulate him and make contributions wherever possible.

Sitting in his small country boat in the lake in Kumarakom near here, the elderly mans aid he was "very happy" as the prime minister himself acknowledged his efforts.

Solheim in a tweet on January 14 had praised the fabulous efforts of Rajappan to clean up the backwaters, beauty of which attracts tourists from all across the world.

Meet NS Rajappan. He cannot walk as he is paralysed below his knees. Uses his hands to move around. Everyday Rajappan gets into his small boat & collect plastic bottles from Vembanad lake in India