At 6 am, while much of Chandigarh is still waking up, an 88-year-old man steps outside with a broom and a handcart. He bends to pick up discarded wrappers, sweeps the streets and clears litter from public spaces. There are no staff members accompanying him, no official campaign to lead and no uniform to announce his authority.
The man is Inderjit Singh Sidhu, a retired IPS officer who chose to continue serving society long after his retirement. In 2026, he received the Padma Shri for his contribution to social service and civic cleanliness.
From a small village to the police force. Born on June 6, 1938, in Gagarpur village in Punjab’s Sangrur district, Sidhu grew up in a military family. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts at Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, followed by a master’s degree in Economics from Mahindra College, Patiala. He was also a keen sportsman, winning recognition in boxing and earning a place on his college’s sporting Roll of Honour.
His sense of discipline and public service was evident even during his college years, when he participated in National Cadet Corps camps and was recognised for voluntary social work. He joined the Punjab Police as an Inspector in 1963, later entered the Indian Police Service, and served across several regions, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi and Kolkata. His career also included service during the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict in the Sambha sector.
In 1991, he received the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. Five years later, he retired as Deputy Inspector General of Police. By conventional standards, a distinguished career had reached its conclusion. For Sidhu, however, service was far from over.
When retirement became a new beginning
Settling in Chandigarh after retirement, Sidhu began noticing garbage accumulating in parks, streets and pathways. He repeatedly complained to civic authorities, hoping the situation would improve.
When his efforts brought little change, he decided to do what he could himself. He began collecting litter during his morning walks, initially using a bag and later a handcart. What seemed unusual to others was a matter of personal responsibility to him.
Some people reportedly called him “crazy”. Imagine a former senior police officer, who had spent decades in a position of authority, bending down to pick up rubbish that others had discarded. Yet Sidhu did not allow social perceptions to dictate his actions. He believed there was no shame in cleaning and continued his routine regardless of the weather or his age.
His personal life, too, has seen its share of change. His wife, Devinder Pal Kaur, passed away in 2023. His son, Amoldeep Singh Sidhu, and his daughter live separately, with his daughter in Mohali. Even as he navigated life after losing his wife, he continued his daily commitment to cleanliness. His son has said that his father’s intolerance for littering was not new; it had always been part of his nature.
Over time, his solitary effort began inspiring others. Residents started supporting his mission, and videos of him cleaning the streets brought his work national attention. His story resonated with people, including industrialist Anand Mahindra, who praised the retired officer for choosing action over complaints.
In January 2026, Sidhu was announced as a Padma Shri awardee. He received the honour from President Droupadi Murmu on June 23, 2026. Yet, even when he received the news of the award, his routine remained unchanged. He went out with his broom as usual.
At 88, Inderjit Singh Sidhu continues to remind us that service does not end with retirement, and dignity does not depend on the work we do. Sometimes, the most meaningful way to change the world is to stop waiting for someone else to begin.
