Padma Shri for Chandigarh’s ‘Broom Warrior’: 88-Year-Old Ex-DIG Continues Mission of Cleanliness
At 8:11 am on a January morning in 2026, a phone call arrived from the Ministry of Home Affairs. On the other end was news that many would consider life-changing: former Punjab Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Inderjit Singh Sidhu had been selected for the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours.Most people would have shared the news with family, friends, or neighbours. Some might have celebrated immediately. But Sidhu quietly picked up his broom and stepped out to clean the streets. There were no announcements, no celebrations, and no change in routine. For the 88-year-old, duty came first.Today, Sidhu lives with his daughter’s family in Mohali. Yet every morning, he can still be found doing what has earned him admiration across the country—cleaning public spaces with his own hands.For years, Sidhu has swept roads, cleared litter, cleaned footpaths, and removed waste from public spaces, first in Chandigarh’s Sector 49 and later in Mohali. What began as a simple act of concern gradually evolved into a powerful symbol of civic responsibility.Lessons Learned Early in LifeInderjit Singh Sidhu often traces his commitment to cleanliness back to his childhood. His father served in the Army and instilled discipline from an early age. “We were taught to keep everything clean—our shoes, our clothes, everything,” Sidhu once explained.Those values stayed with him throughout his distinguished career in the police force. A 1964-batch IPS officer, he served Punjab Police for more than three decades before retiring as DIG in 1996. Retirement, however, did not mean stepping away from service. Instead, it marked the beginning of a different mission.One Man, One Broom, Endless DeterminationAfter settling in Chandigarh, Sidhu became increasingly troubled by the garbage and neglected public spaces around him. He initially approached civic authorities and raised concerns. When the problem persisted, he decided to act himself. He said that he felt uncomfortable when he saw dirt in his locality and he couldn't ignore it.Armed with little more than a broom, determination, and a sense of responsibility, he began cleaning areas near his home. Over time, his efforts expanded to roads, parks, footpaths, drains, and public spaces across the locality. Concerned family members often worried about his safety and advancing age. To avoid drawing attention, he frequently chose to work when few people were around.A Viral InspirationVideos of the elderly former police officer sweeping streets soon began circulating on social media. People across India were moved by the sight of a retired senior officer dedicating his time to improving his community. The videos transformed Sidhu into an unlikely public figure.But fame was never what he sought. In fact, the growing attention worried his family more than it pleased him. Eventually, they persuaded him to move to Mohali so they could keep a closer watch on him. Even then, his mission continued.On June 23, Sidhu will receive the Padma Shri at Rashtrapati Bhavan in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to society.At 88, Inderjit Singh Sidhu continues to remind India that service has no retirement age. The day he learned he would receive the Padma Shri, he chose not to celebrate. Instead, he picked up a broom and went to work. Perhaps that is precisely why he deserves the honour.
