Chandigarh/New Delhi, Jan 26: Former Punjab Deputy Inspector General Inderjit Singh Sidhu has been selected for the Padma Shri award for his dedicated social service. The 88-year-old retired IPS officer is among 45 individuals nationwide chosen as “unsung heroes” in the Republic Day honors list.
Sidhu, who lives in Sector 49, spent years cleaning local streets and public spaces long after his retirement from the Punjab Police in 1996. He became a familiar sight in his neighborhood, heading out at dawn to gather waste and transport it for disposal using a cycle cart.
The former officer noted that he chose to take action himself after seeing garbage pile up despite reporting the issue to civic officials. His work gained national fame last year when footage of him sweeping the roads went viral, eventually being shared by Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra as an example of discipline and purpose.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria praised the central government’s decision to honor the veteran.
“Inderjit Singh Sidhu has shown that service to society does not end with retirement or age,” Kataria said. “His dedication to cleanliness and civic responsibility is deeply inspiring and should be emulated by citizens across the country.”
Though he faced initial skepticism from some who found his actions unusual for a man of his former rank, Sidhu’s persistence eventually won over the community. He has consistently maintained that there is dignity in all labor and that no effort is too minor if it benefits the public.
“I simply believe in keeping my surroundings clean and find personal satisfaction in doing so,” Sidhu said regarding his daily routine.
