'Salute to warrior': Anand Mahindra praises retired IPS officer, 88, cleaning Chandigarh streets. Watch

The clip, showing Inderjit Singh Sidhu meticulously cleaning the area, rapidly went viral and has since garnered thousands of reactions.

In an era where civic responsibility is often delegated or ignored, 88-year-old retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu has emerged as a symbol of active citizenship, inspiring a nationwide conversation on public service, discipline, and purpose beyond retirement. A video of him sweeping the streets of Chandigarh at dawn has gone viral, drawing widespread praise — most notably from industrialist Anand Mahindra, who hailed his quiet yet powerful act of service.

Sidhu, a 1964-batch IPS officer, has been personally leading a cleanliness mission in his Sector 49 locality in Chandigarh. With no government backing or fanfare, he begins each day at 6 am, collecting garbage and sweeping the streets with a cycle cart. His motivation was sparked by disappointment over Chandigarh’s ranking in the national Swachh Survekshan survey — a metric used to assess city-level cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Unlike many who express frustration through online complaints or blame authorities, Sidhu took action. His simple yet profound routine resonated widely after it was shared by Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra on X (formerly Twitter).

“He says he wasn’t happy with the ‘low rank’ Chandigarh got in the Swachh Survekshan listing,” Mahindra posted. “But instead of complaining, he chooses action...a quiet, persistent belief in a better world...Purpose doesn’t retire. Service doesn’t age.”

Mahindra further added: “Apparently, every morning at 6 am, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh’s Sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Each piece of trash he clears is more than just litter removed. It’s a statement… a belief in living with meaning, regardless of age or recognition.”

“In a world often obsessed with youth and speed, his slow but steady footsteps tell us that purpose doesn’t retire. Service doesn’t age. A salute to this quiet warrior of the streets,” Mahindra concluded.

This clip which was shared with me is about Shri Inder Jit Singh Sidhu of Chandigarh.

Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh’s sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service.

Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and… pic.twitter.com/pkDlptoY8f

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— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 22, 2025

The clip, showing Sidhu meticulously cleaning the area, rapidly went viral and has since garnered thousands of reactions.

Many viewers were moved by his unwavering dedication, with one user commenting: “He proves that true service needs no title or spotlight. His quiet dedication is a reminder that real change begins with action.”

Another remarked:“Real change doesn’t need power or position—just heart and consistency.”

Speaking to news agency ANI, Sidhu explained his motivations: “I like a clean place, so I try to clean. It will be good if the parking area in this market is clean. If you visit any foreign country and look at their floors, they are generally very clean, but this is not the case in India.”

He continued: “In the cleanliness competition across India, Chandigarh has ranked second. Chandigarh is famous for its cleanliness and beauty. All my efforts are to actually make it appear like a city that is number two in terms of cleanliness. If we all continue to do so, it will become number one one day.”

His remarks underscored a deep commitment not only to his immediate surroundings but to the broader ethos of civic responsibility — a commitment that stands in sharp contrast to the often passive attitudes toward public hygiene in urban India.

Sidhu’s actions echo the foundational message of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: that true cleanliness and civic pride begin at home, not through centralised campaigns alone but via everyday ownership of public spaces by individual citizens.

Social media platforms quickly filled with praise and admiration for Sidhu’s humble leadership. One user wrote: “Subtly, gracefully, this man is teaching us more than any slogan could. Citizenship is not a status — it’s a behaviour.”

Others pointed to the power of such examples to inspire long-term change: “Integrity and impact often go unseen, but their ripples reach far. This man’s morning walk is a masterclass in public leadership.”