PITTSBORO — Volunteers from across Hendricks County gathered along U.S. Highway 136 on Sunday, August 16, 2026, to conduct a roadside cleanup drive, removing roughly 135 pounds of trash and debris to help keep local roadways clean and safe.
Five dedicated volunteers organized under the global non-profit Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP) carried out the cleanup near Devonshire Drive in Pittsboro. Working in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) under the Adopt-A-Highway initiative, the crew collected nine large bags of litter along the stretch of highway.
The effort is part of a broader nationwide movement led by DSNDP and inspired by the ancient philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — a Sanskrit phrase meaning “The world is one family.” Under the leadership and vision of founders Dr. Shri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and Dr. Shri Sachindada Dharmadhikari, the organization has coordinated humanitarian and environmental projects across North America since July 2022.
A Growing Impact Across the Hoosier State
Sunday’s drive in Pittsboro builds on an expanding footprint of community service across Indiana. Through Adopt-A-Highway partnerships spanning three Indiana cities, DSNDP has mobilized 116 local volunteers who have contributed approximately 270 service hours. To date, those Hoosier volunteers have gathered 246 bags of roadside waste, removing an estimated 3,690 pounds of trash from state corridors.
Beyond Indiana, DSNDP’s environmental footprint stretches across the continent. The organization currently collaborates with government agencies in 19 states and 80 cities throughout the United States, managing 27 distinct community upkeep initiatives including Adopt-A-Highway, Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Beach, Adopt-A-Street, and Adopt-A-River programs.
Nationwide, DSNDP has engaged 4,797 volunteers who have collectively removed 72,900 pounds of litter. Officials note that these volunteer hours represent direct labor cost savings for local and state municipal budgets. In recognition of these public service contributions, the non-profit has received 67 government certificates of appreciation and 97 commemorative signboards across the country.
Beyond Cleanups: Health and Sustainability Initiatives
While highway maintenance is a visible pillar of DSNDP’s mission, the organization operates a wide array of civic and wellness programs:
- Conservation Efforts: DSNDP’s active tree-planting and urban conservation programs operate in 39 cities across 15 states.
- Milestone Achievements: Following large-scale Earth Day programs in 2024, the organization celebrated reaching 500 “Green Initiatives” across the U.S. and Canada in 2025. That single milestone campaign united over 300 volunteers who removed nearly 2,400 pounds of waste.
- Health & Wellness: The non-profit routinely leads blood and plasma donation drives throughout the U.S. and Canada and hosted a Women’s Cancer Awareness Conference in 2023.
To learn more about the organization’s ongoing projects or volunteer opportunities, visit dsndp.com.
