While most people become less active as they grow older, Inderjit Singh Sidhu went in the opposite directionfast to serve. At the age of 88, the retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Punjab Police has received the Padma Shri, Indias fourth, highest civilian honour, for a task that might seem trivial but is really very impactful: picking up garbage in the streets of his locality.
Sidhu was among the 113 Padma Shri awardees besides 45 'unsung heroes' who were honoured for their extraordinary contributions made quietly, without any expectation of a reward on Republic Day. His tale is a testament to the fact that the building of a nation does not always require power, budgets or grand campaigns sometimes, its a story that starts with a broom in the early morning.
His service didn't come to an end with retirement
Sidhu retired as DIG Punjab Police in 1996 after a meritorious career. But for him, retirement was not to be a turning away from the responsibilities. Settled in Sector 49, Chandigarh, Sidhu came across a problem of garbage accumulating over streets and public places.
First, he did what most of us would have done, he brought up the problem with the civic authorities. When the irregularity continued, he did what hardly anyone would do, he took the responsibility himself. At sunrise, every day, Sidhu went out with a broom and a rehri or a cycle cart, collecting the garbage and taking it for disposal. No cameras. No volunteers. Just determination in silence.
One Man, One Broom, A Viral Movement
With a few exceptions, Sidhu was not even noticed for years. Some even made fun of him saying he was a bit off the mark. But the force of persistence can change the world. Last year social media was flooded with the videos showing an old man sweeping the roads and carrying garbage which touched the hearts of people all over the country.
One of those who was affected was Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra who retweeted the video of Sidhu and described him as a living example of purpose, discipline and unselfish service without considerations of age or official position. It was a turning point for Sidhu as he was almost instantly transformed into a symbol, of the dignity of labour and doing something instead of complaining.
During Sidhu's own life, personal recognition of his efforts hardly changed his attention. People in the locality reveal that slowly, his exemplary behavior inspired not only his family members but also his neighbors and many of them now support or participate in the cleanliness campaign with him. The start of the street cleaning by Sidhu alone turned into a shared civic mission.
Sidhu is still down to earth despite the fame he has achieved. He is telling whenever it is said to him that he simply believes in his habit of keeping clean and gets his happiness from giving to the public. Therefore, society is the ultimate reason for which any job is considered by him to be a matter of a good deed and he is wishing that Chandigarh could be the only example in India as one of the cleanest cities.
A good example for a Padma Shri
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria described the award as a well, deserved tribute to a very special citizen. Sidhu's life, as Kataria said, embodies the concept of continuing to serve even beyond one's retirement or old age. With the award, Sidhu is now considered one of the ordinary Indians who are making extraordinary contributionsthus, they are the ones quietly strengthening the nation's moral fabric.
On the occasion of Inderjit Singh Sidhu's recognition, India is not only paying tribute to the individual but also to a mentality: that true transformation takes place when citizens stop waiting and start doing.
