Kumta: A foreign lady who moves on an old scooter stops near plastic waste disposed on the roadside, and shifts the waste to the nearest dustbin. Not just that, within half-an-hour, she writes a letter to the assistant commissioner and deputy commissioner, about the absence of steps to maintain cleanliness.

Dr Anna, from Portugal, has come to study Ayurveda, and has decided to do her bit in protecting the environment. After retiring as a lecturer, she came to India, and started studying Ayurveda in Pune. She has also written a book on Ayurveda.

Dr Anna is now residing in Kumta, and has started 'Khushi Parisara Sangha'. This association has displayed boards at Kumta Taluk Panchayat and Gokarna Gram Panchayat office premises and other places, to create awareness about maintaining cleanliness. Dr Anna starts her 'waste hunt' at 5 am.

"She speaks less, but her pen works. When she finds plastic, she writes a letter to the deputy commissioner asking why it is so though plastic has been banned," says Sangha member Geetha Nayak.

According to Dr Roopa, another member of the Sangha, Dr Anna has brought 'ocean literacy' concept now. A programme is planned in which students of the school for the disabled at Alwekodi would conduct a cleaning drive near the fish market, to motivate others, she added.