Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Chennai Sanitation Worker Honored for Returning Gold
S Padma is a sanitation worker in Chennai who has been cleaning streets for 21 years.
One day, she found a box with a lot of gold jewelry worth Rs 45 lakh.
Instead of keeping it, she returned it to the police.
The owner was very happy and thanked her.
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu honored her and gave her Rs 1 lakh.
Now, Padma is famous and people recognize her.
She feels overwhelmed but grateful for the attention and praise.
S Padma, a sanitation worker in Chennai, found a box with 45 sovereigns of gold worth Rs 45 lakh.
She returned the gold to the police, and the owner was overjoyed and thankful.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin honored Padma and gave her Rs 1 lakh.
Padma's act of honesty made her a celebrity, and people now recognize her.
Padma has been a sanitation worker for 21 years and is the sole earner in her family.
- Who
- S Padma, a sanitation worker in Chennai
- What
- Found and returned a box of 45 sovereigns of gold worth Rs 45 lakh
- When
- On Sunday, January 11
- Where
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Why
- Act of honesty and integrity
- Name
- S Padma
- Occupation
- Sanitation Worker
- Location
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Gold Found
- 45 sovereigns
- Value of Gold
- Rs 45 lakh
- Reward Received
- Rs 1 lakh
- Years of Service
- 21 years
- Daily Salary
- Rs 19,000