An 88-year-old retired Indian Police Service officer from Chandigarh, Inderjit Singh Sidhu, has been selected for the prestigious Padma Shri in recognition of his quiet but sustained contribution to public cleanliness. For more than a decade, Sidhu has been personally cleaning streets and public spaces around his neighbourhood, setting an example of civic responsibility through action rather than words.
Sidhu, who retired as a Deputy Inspector General of the Punjab Police, came into the public spotlight last year after videos of him picking up garbage from roads and open areas near his residence in Sector 49, Chandigarh, began circulating widely on social media. The visuals struck a chord with many, drawing admiration and respect for his humility and commitment, and eventually paving the way for formal recognition of his efforts at the national level.
Residing in an IAS–IPS housing society in Sector 49, Sidhu spends a large part of his day cleaning not only his own residential complex but also the surrounding streets and public areas. Originally from Bugra village in Dhuri in Sangrur district, he has remained steadfast in his routine despite passersby frequently stopping to record videos of him. Sidhu has consistently said that his sole motivation is to keep his surroundings clean, green, and worthy of the city’s reputation.
His dedication was first officially acknowledged last year when an award was announced in his honour by the Governor on August 15. However, Sidhu chose not to attend the ceremony, later explaining that the sudden attention and publicity made him uncomfortable and anxious, particularly after his work gained widespread visibility online.
Sidhu joined public service in 1963 after being recruited as an inspector through the Punjab Public Service Commission and was later inducted into the IPS in 1981. During one of Punjab’s most turbulent periods, he served as City Superintendent of Police in Amritsar in 1986, at the height of militancy. He later held senior positions in Chandigarh, including DIG and DIG (CID), before retiring from service on December 31, 1996. His wife, Davinder Pal Kaur, passed away in 2023. His son is settled in the United States, while his daughter lives in Mohali.
Speaking to India Today last year after one of his videos went viral, Sidhu spoke passionately about his bond with Chandigarh and his disappointment over civic apathy. He recalled how leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Pratap Singh Kairon, and Mohinder Singh Randhawa played key roles in shaping the city. While describing Chandigarh as an ideal and beautiful city, he expressed sadness at seeing educated residents casually littering public spaces, often from expensive vehicles, calling such behaviour unacceptable.
Sidhu explained that seeing garbage on the streets every morning, especially in areas frequented by children and walkers, disturbed him deeply. Instead of blaming others or waiting for authorities to act, he decided to take personal responsibility. Drawing a parallel with his policing career, he said that just as he once fought to restore law and order, he now fights litter with the same sense of duty and discipline. He emphasised that he does not seek recognition or praise, adding that a clean environment helps cultivate clean and responsible minds.
He also referred to Chandigarh’s performance in national cleanliness surveys, noting that while the city’s ranking had slipped earlier, it recently rose to second place. Sidhu said his personal goal is to see Chandigarh reclaim the top position, and he intends to continue his efforts for as long as his health permits.
Notably, Sidhu does not use a mobile phone and consciously avoids media interaction. When his video gained viral traction last year, he temporarily left Chandigarh to stay with his daughter, choosing distance over attention. He has previously said that his inspiration for this cleanliness drive stems from his long years in public service and a visit to the United States, where he observed a strong culture of civic responsibility.
The viral video that brought Sidhu widespread attention was recorded and shared by Gaurav Goel. Speaking to India Today, Goel said that while there were initial concerns about Sidhu’s health, the attention ultimately served a purpose by highlighting his work. He added that many people demanded recognition for Sidhu precisely because his actions were deeply inspirational and carried a powerful message for society.
Efforts to contact Inderjit Singh Sidhu for comment following the announcement of the Padma Shri were unsuccessful, in keeping with his long-standing preference to stay away from the public eye and let his actions speak for themselves.
