88-Year-Old Retired IPS Officer Honored with Padma Shri for Dedication to Public Cleanliness

Former DIG Inderjit Singh Sidhu, an 88-year-old retired IPS officer, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his decade-long voluntary service cleaning Chandigarh's streets, parks, and public spaces. Sidhu dedicates 7-8 hours daily to this endeavor, inspired by a desire to give back to society and a deep concern over littering. He views his cleaning efforts as a form of repayment for the societal debt he feels he still owes, despite his police service and pension. Sidhu, who maintains a distance from media and mobile phones, believes that cleanliness is a shared responsibility that requires public participation, even amidst administrative efforts. His commitment to environmental cleanliness is rooted in his spiritual beliefs and literary interests, drawing inspiration from Guru Nanak's teachings. Even after receiving the prestigious award, he continued his cleaning routine without informing his family beforehand, demonstrating his unwavering dedication.