Chandigarh, August 14 – In a heartwarming tribute to dedication and service, the Chandigarh Administration has selected 34 outstanding individuals for commendation certificates on the occasion of Independence Day 2025. Among them, an 83-year-old sanitation warrior, Inderjeet Singh Sidhu, has won the city’s admiration for his relentless commitment to keeping the streets clean.
83-Year-Old Sanitation Hero Inderjeet Singh Sidhu Inspires the City
Inderjeet Singh Sidhu, a retired IPS officer and former DIG of Punjab Police, is being honoured for his remarkable work in social service. Even at the age of 83, Sidhu starts his day at 6 a.m., personally collecting garbage from the streets of Sector 49, Chandigarh, and transporting it in a cart to a designated dumping spot.
Sidhu retired from service in 1996, but his sense of duty never faded. His selfless actions recently gained national attention, turning him into a symbol of civic responsibility and environmental care.
“Cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility. I just do my bit for the community,” Sidhu once said, humbly downplaying his extraordinary dedication.
Other Citizens Recognised for Meritorious Service
Along with Sidhu, several professionals from different sectors are being recognised for outstanding contributions in their respective fields. The awardees include:
- Prof Varsha Gupta – GMCH-32
- Harish Chander – Draftsman, Urban Planning Department
- Maninder Singh – Sub-Divisional Engineer, Engineering Department
- Deepak Kumar – Senior Assistant, UT Secretariat
- Prashant Singh Bist – Senior Assistant, Sports Department
- Piyush Aggarwal – TGT (Sanskrit), GMSSS-28
- Amrita Bhullar – PGT (Dance), GMSSS-18
- Anirudh Thakur – Senior Assistant, Education Department
- Mahavir Singh – Senior Assistant, DC Office
- Dr Ritu Jain – Deputy District Attorney
- Champa Bhatt – Section Officer, MC
- Rajni Gupta – Company Secretary, Social Welfare Department
- Kanika – Section Officer (SAS), Estate Office
- Dalip Gupta – Senior Assistant, Estate Office
- Arvind Moudgil – Nodal Officer (CAT) (Non-Official)
- Raj Kumar & Subhash – Head Sewer Men, MC
- Ram Dular & Amarnath – Gardeners, MC
- Karamjit Singh – Sanitation Worker, MC
Honouring Social Work and Community Service
The Chandigarh Administration also recognised several citizens for their selfless social work:
- Hitesh Puri, Chairman of CRAWFED, for welfare efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Shaunya Sood, a student of Carmel Convent School and founder of NGO Chetna.
- Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, President of Chandigarh Traders Association, for promoting the use of organic colours during Holi.
- Dr Swaranjit Singh, Senior Scientist.
- Himachal Mahasabha Chandigarh for organising blood donation camps and plantation drives.
- Jasjyot Singh, for fire safety awareness campaigns.
- Col Dalbir Singh (Retd), for training nearly 400 volunteers in disaster management.
Awards in Art, Culture, and Sports
Recognitions were also extended in the fields of art and culture, with Simrat Sharma and Harpreet Sandhu receiving honours.
For sports excellence, awards will go to Aditi Sheoran, Janvi, Aditya Rampal, and Gurseerat Kaur.
A Day to Remember for Chandigarh
The Independence Day awards not only celebrate the achievements of Chandigarh’s citizens but also serve as a reminder that dedication, service, and compassion know no age or boundaries. From an 83-year-old former police officer sweeping the streets to young students leading NGOs, these honourees represent the spirit of community that strengthens the nation