Padma Shri to Former Dig Who Cleaned Streets, Still Active at 88

At 88, He Didn’t Retire from Responsibility: How Inderjit Singh Sidhu Cleaned a City and Consciences

At 88, retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu has been awarded the Padma Shri under the ‘Unsung Heroes’ category in the Republic Day 2026 honours for his extraordinary civic action waking up each morning at 6 am to sweep and collect litter from the streets of Sector 49, Chandigarh, with a broom and a simple cart after years of inaction by civic authorities. What began as a solitary effort has caught national attention, inspired neighbours to j…

Ex-Punjab Police officer honoured with Padma Shri for his cleanliness mission

Chandigarh, Jan 25 (PTI) An octogenarian retired Punjab Police officer, who follows a unique daily routine for his social work defying his age, has been chosen for the prestigious Padma Shri award for social service.Chandigarh resident Inderjit Singh Sidhu has made it to the list of Padma Shri awardees, the Centre announced on the eve of Republic Day.Besides Sidhu, women cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur and Baldev Singh (sports), Niranjan Dass (spirit…

Can't Bear Dirt: Sidhu on Earning Padma Shri Award

In a heartwarming development, Chandigarh’s cleanliness warrior Inderjeet Singh Sidhu has been selected for the 2026 Padma Shri in social service. His unwavering dedication to sweeping streets and public areas clean has finally earned the recognition it deserves. Sidhu’s routine is inspiring: rising early to tackle litter in parks and thoroughfares, ignoring jeers from those who deem him odd. ‘I’m no fool; dirt simply doesn’t sit well with me,’ …