88-Year-Old Retired IPS Officer Inderjeet Singh Siddhu Honored with Padma Shri for Tireless Cleanliness Efforts in Chandigarh

88-year-old retired IPS officer Inderjeet Singh Siddhu has been awarded the Padma Shri for his selfless dedication to cleaning the streets of Chandigarh for the past decade. A former DIG, Siddhu departs his home in Sector-49 daily at 7 AM, spending 7 to 8 hours tidying roads, parks, and public spaces in his vicinity. His motivation stems from distress over litter during his morning walks, leading him to dedicate entire days to environmental upkeep, which he considers a 'payback' to society. Siddhu, who began his police service with a modest salary and now receives a substantial pension, believes societal debt remains and cleanliness is his way of repayment. He attributes his inspiration to Guru Nanak's teachings and Shakespeare, viewing environmental protection as a spiritual duty. Despite being recognized, Siddhu maintains a low profile, not owning a mobile phone and preferring to stay away from media attention. His family was initially unaware of his Padma Shri award, and he continued his cleaning routine even after receiving the notification, underscoring his unwavering commitment to public cleanliness and citizen participation.