AI Generated Summary
- The Independence Day felicitation served not only as a celebration of these remarkable individuals but also as a reminder of the diverse ways in which citizens contributed to the betterment of their community.
- Each morning at 6 am, he could be seen collecting garbage and transporting it in a cart to the designated dumping site — a routine that earned him this year’s commendation certificate for social service.
- Those recognised for meritorious service included Prof Varsha Gupta of GMCH-32, Harish Chander from the Urban Planning Department, Maninder Singh from the Engineering Department, and several dedicated staff members from the UT Secretariat, Education Department, Municipal Corporation, and other offices.
Chandigarh celebrated the spirit of dedication and community service this Independence Day by honouring 34 individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields. Among the awardees was 83-year-old Inderjeet Singh Sidhu, a retired IPS officer who had become a symbol of civic responsibility.
Sidhu, who retired as DIG of Punjab Police in 1996, had gained national recognition for his selfless mission to keep the streets of Sector 49 clean. Each morning at 6 am, he could be seen collecting garbage and transporting it in a cart to the designated dumping site — a routine that earned him this year’s commendation certificate for social service.
The list of honourees spanned a wide spectrum of professions and causes. Those recognised for meritorious service included Prof Varsha Gupta of GMCH-32, Harish Chander from the Urban Planning Department, Maninder Singh from the Engineering Department, and several dedicated staff members from the UT Secretariat, Education Department, Municipal Corporation, and other offices. Their roles ranged from educators and legal officers to sanitation workers, each contributing to the city’s functioning in vital ways.
Several awardees were recognised for impactful social work. These included Hitesh Puri, chairman of CRAWFED, for his welfare efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic; school student Shaunya Sood, founder of NGO ‘Chetna’; and Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, who promoted the use of eco-friendly colours during Holi. The list also featured Dr Swaranjit Singh, the Himachal Mahasabha Chandigarh for its blood donation and plantation drives, fire safety advocate Jasjyot Singh, and Col Dalbir Singh (retd), who trained hundreds in disaster management.
The cultural and sporting realms also saw recognition. Artists Simrat Sharma and Harpreet Sandhu were honoured for contributions to art and culture, while athletes Aditi Sheoran, Janvi, Aditya Rampal, and Gurseerat Kaur received awards for sporting excellence.
The Independence Day felicitation served not only as a celebration of these remarkable individuals but also as a reminder of the diverse ways in which citizens contributed to the betterment of their community.
