Beyond the Luxury: IIT Bombay Professor Wears Torn Socks at 5-Star Hotel, Picture Goes Viral

New Delhi: An image of an Indian man with torn socks sitting in a luxury hotel in New Delhi went viral on social media. The man, Chetan Singh Solanki, an IIT Bombay professor, has now responded, shedding light on his unique choice of wardrobe.

Solanki, who has taught at IIT Bombay for over 20 years and is popularly known as the "Solar Man of India" or "Solar Gandhi," was attending a leadership summit when the photo was taken. Solanki is on a mission to raise awareness about environmental degradation, having travelled over 43,000 kilometres across 20 states to promote solar energy.

“Someone snapped this photo of me at the Hyatt in Delhi, during a quiet moment before delivering my talk at the The Economic Times Energy Leadership Summit on 25th Sept,” he explained.

"Yes, my torn socks were exposed! I need to replace them, I will and sure, I can afford to – but nature cannot. In nature, everything is finite," Solanki clarified, emphasizing that while he could easily replace his socks, nature cannot afford more waste.

Solanki shared that his personal philosophy revolves around making efficient use of whatever he buys. "I may use the best gadgets to enhance my productivity, but I strive to use the least amount of material to reduce my carbon footprint," he added.

Highlighting his commitment to sustainability, he compared his approach to that of businessmen seeking maximum returns, noting that he, as a "social worker," aims to maximize the "impact of his time."

Solanki concluded his post with hashtags focusing on sustainability, leadership, climate correction, and minimalism.

Netizens React

Many social media users highlighted Solanki's long-standing contributions to sustainability in India. People praised his commitment to reducing waste and living sustainably, pointing to this incident as a reflection of his broader efforts to lead by example in the fight against climate change.

"Thanks Chetan Singh Solanki , your example has given me the courage to come out of the closet as a fellow torn socks wearer! This is really reducing carbon footprint!," one user said.