Chandigarh resident Inderjeet Singh Sidhu’s tireless fight for cleanliness culminates in the 2026 Padma Shri award for social contributions. The government’s nod celebrates a man who transforms public spaces daily.
Undaunted by age or apathy, Sidhu scours streets and parks for discarded waste, facing derision head-on. ‘Crazy? No, I just refuse to tolerate garbage,’ he retorts to critics.
The award news sparked visible delight. ‘India’s gratitude to seniors like me is overwhelming happiness,’ Sidhu shared in an interview. He stresses personal accountability: ‘Cleanliness isn’t optional—yet people pollute freely. Their fondness for mess compels me to clean.’
Choking with emotion, he described the barbs endured mid-task. Public taunts of madness hurt, but they reinforce his mission. Sidhu’s work is a living lesson for the young: passion overrides limitations.
A widely shared video of his morning routines last year amplified his reach, inspiring thousands. This accolade elevates Sidhu’s quiet revolution, reminding society that grassroots efforts forge lasting cleanliness.