Created by Ansuma Basumatary
Last edited March 10, 2026
Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Born
India
OccupationSocial Worker
AwardsPadma Shri

Inderjit Singh Sidhu is a former Indian police officer and social worker. He is a retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police and known for personally cleaning public spaces in Chandigarh as part of a long running civic cleanliness effort.[1]

Social work[edit | edit source]

Sidhu’s daily street cleaning activities gained national attention for promoting citizen responsibility and public hygiene.[2]

In 2026, the Government of India announced him as a recipient of the Padma Shri for his contribution to social service.[3]

He was included in the Republic Day honours list under the category recognising unsung grassroots contributors. National media outlets have described his work as an example of sustained individual civic action.[4] His recognition brought renewed public discussion on community-led cleanliness initiatives in India.[5]

Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Ex-IPS Inderjit Sidhu, 88, on a mission to clean his city's streets by himself, gets Padma Shri". Hindustan Times. 2026-01-25. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  2. ↑ "Anand Mahindra praises 88-year-old IPS officer for leading a cleanliness drive in Chandigarh, says 'Purpose doesn't retire'". The Times of India. 2025-07-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  3. ↑ Srivastava, Nisha (25 January 2026). "Padma Awards 2026: Who is Inderjit Singh Sidhu? Ex-IPS Officer Who Gets Padma Shri for Cleaning Chandigarh Streets". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Padma Awards 2026: Who is 87 yr old Inderjit Singh Sidhu, a retired DIG who cleans Chandigarh streets every morning? - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2026-01-25. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  5. ↑ "Chandigarh's 'broom warrior', a former Punjab DIG Inderjit Singh Sidhu, gets Padma Shri at 88". The Tribune. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  6. ↑ "'Cleanliness is next to godliness': Retired DIG among Padma Shri awardees". The Indian Express. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Bhardwaj, Aman Kumar (25 January 2026). "Ex-IPS officer, 88, who cleaned Chandigarh streets, to be honoured with Padma Shri". India Today. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Singh, Shivam Pratap (25 January 2026). "Ex-IPS Inderjit Sidhu, 88, on a mission to clean his city's streets by himself, gets Padma Shri". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 February 2026.