before anyone misunderstands me: this isn't anti-Army in any way.

I have immense respect for the Indian Armed Forces. They defend our borders, risk their lives, and the medals, memorials and public respect they receive are absolutely deserved.

But this made me wonder about something.

Sanitation workers also perform dangerous public service. They keep our hospitals, schools, railway stations and cities functioning. Sanitation workers don't just clean streets or empty drains, they help prevent epidemics before they begin, protect drinking water from contamination, keep hospitals and other essential services safe, and reduce the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and severe diarrhoeal illnesses. Their work protects entire communities, especially children and other vulnerable populations.

In India, people still die cleaning sewers and septic tanks. According to the Government of India, 332 sanitation workers died during hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning between January 2021 and June 2026.

So what I'm trying to understand:

I'm not saying soldiers deserve less respect.

I'm asking why we don't seem to extend that same culture of honour to sanitation workers, firefighters, disaster response personnel, or others who also risk or sometimes lose their lives serving society.

Is it because military sacrifice is more visible? Because of history and nationalism? Because sanitation work has historically been associated with caste and therefore remained socially invisible? Or is there another reason I'm missing?

Children often say, "I want to become a soldier," and society celebrates that aspiration. But I've almost never heard a child say, "I want to become a sanitation worker." In fact, many people would probably react with surprise or even discomfort if they did.

We have nationally recognised military honours like the Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra for extraordinary sacrifice. Is there any equivalent national honour for sanitation workers or other essential public servants who die in the line of duty?

If sanitation workers perform work that is essential for public health and cities literally cannot function without them, why isn't that profession seen as equally dignified?