Padma Shri Awardee Inderjit Singh Sidhu keeps the city clean

At 89, when most people would prefer to slow down, Inderjit Singh Sidhu continues to step out onto the streets of Chandigarh with a broom in hand. Picking up litter and cleaning public spaces, the retired Punjab Police officer, popularly known as the ‘Broom Warrior’, remains committed to a mission that has continued long after his retirement and even after the recognition of a Padma Shri.

For Sidhu, cleanliness is not merely a civic responsibility; it is a duty towards society and the environment. Despite receiving one of the country’s highest civilian honours from President Droupadi Murmu on June 23, he continues his efforts in Sector 49, believing that keeping a city clean requires more than government intervention. It demands the participation of every citizen.

“Chandigarh is called the City Beautiful, but we do not always maintain it or make enough efforts to keep it beautiful. There is a lot of dirt around us, and we have to take responsibility for ourselves. We cannot leave everything only to the government; citizens must also contribute,” Sidhu told The North News.

The Padma Shri brought recognition to Sidhu’s decades-long commitment and pride to Chandigarh. Yet, for the octogenarian, the real measure of change lies not in awards or public appreciation but in whether people alter their everyday habits.

Asked whether the honour has led to any visible improvement or brought additional support from residents and the administration, Sidhu said several prominent people had visited him and posed for photographs, but he had not witnessed any significant change afterwards.

During a recent visit, he was once again found cleaning the streets. While some children came forward to lend him a hand, others passed by without paying much attention. For Sidhu, these everyday encounters reflect a larger challenge: people may appreciate a cleanliness campaign, but turning that appreciation into action remains difficult.

He has also expressed concern over the condition of Sector 49, where overgrown grass, broken glass bottles and other waste continue to affect public spaces. Such problems underline the need for consistent sanitation efforts, timely intervention by civic authorities and greater public awareness.

Born on June 6, 1938, in Gagarpur village in Punjab’s Sangrur district, Sidhu joined the Punjab Police as an inspector in 1963 and entered the Indian Police Service in 1981. He retired as Deputy Inspector General in 1996. Retirement, however, did not mark the end of his service. Instead, he continued to serve society in a different way, picking up litter and encouraging people to take responsibility for their surroundings.

For residents who see him at work, his dedication is a source of pride. As a young citizen living near his neighbourhood, I often feel proud when I see him cleaning public spaces. Yet, the sight of an elderly man taking on a task that younger, able-bodied citizens could also share raises an uncomfortable question: are we doing enough for our city?

Cleanliness cannot be the responsibility of municipal workers alone. Citizens, too, must do their part by disposing of waste responsibly, reporting sanitation problems, approaching the authorities when necessary, and participating in efforts to keep public spaces clean. 

‘As long as I have breath, I will keep cleaning,’ Says Inderjit Sidhu, vowing to protect the environment and urging citizens to share responsibility for keeping the City Beautiful clean.

Sidhu’s story is about more than a man with a broom. It is a reminder of the responsibility each of us carries towards our city and the environment. His Padma Shri recognises his service, but his daily actions carry a message that no award can replace: real change begins when people stop waiting for someone else to act. 

At 89, the Broom Warrior continues to do his bit. The question is whether the rest of us are willing to pick up where he leaves off.