‘Treat Earth like your mother’: Padma Shri Inderjit Singh Sidhu

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Chandigarh, June 26

Retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Punjab Police,  Inderjit Singh Sidhu, on Friday while talking to The North News said that the people should treat the Earth like their mother and keep their surroundings clean because cleanliness is essential for a healthy life. On June 23  Sidhu was  honoured with the Padma Shri award by President Droupadi Murmu.  Sidhu’s dedication towards Chandigarh and the nation has brought pride to many, proving that true service continues beyond official responsibilities. He said that  “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’s journey reflects the belief that even a small personal effort can create a major change in society. He expressed gratitude for being considered worthy of such an honour and said that as long as he has the strength, he will continue working for cleanliness.

 Sidhu, has emerged as a symbol of dedication, discipline, and civic responsibility through his decades-long cleanliness mission. Widely recognised as the ‘Broom Warrior’, Sidhu has earned nationwide appreciation for his silent yet impactful contribution towards maintaining public spaces. Born on 6 June 1938 in Gagarpur village of Sangrur district, Punjab, Sardar Sidhu’s life has been defined by discipline, integrity, and public service. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree from Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, he pursued a Master’s degree in Economics from Mahindra College, Patiala.

During his college years, Sidhu excelled in boxing and received the prestigious College Colour Award. He was also honoured twice with a place in the Roll of Honour in Sports as a champion among universities in Punjab. His commitment towards society was visible from his early years, including his participation in NCC camps where he was recognised for voluntary social service and cleanliness initiatives.

Sardar Sidhu joined the Punjab Police as an Inspector in 1963 and was inducted into the Indian Police Service in 1981. During his distinguished career, he served across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi, and Kolkata. He also contributed during the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict in the Samba Sector. For his exemplary service, he was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1991. He retired in 1996 as Deputy Inspector General (Intelligence), Punjab, from Chandigarh.

After retirement, Sidhu dedicated himself to improving the cleanliness of Chandigarh. During his morning walks, he noticed the deteriorating condition of parks and pathways and decided to take personal responsibility by collecting litter himself.

For nearly three decades, he has continued cleaning parks, streets, and public areas, while also writing to authorities, encouraging sanitation workers, and motivating citizens through his actions. His efforts reflect the spirit of citizen-led cleanliness, even before the launch of the national Swachh Bharat Mission.