Chennai, Jan 14: A sanitation worker in Chennai has won widespread praise for her honesty after returning a bag containing gold jewellery worth about ₹45 lakh.

Padma, who was on her routine cleaning duty in T Nagar, noticed an unattended bag lying by the roadside. Curious, she checked inside and was stunned to find it filled with gold ornaments. Choosing integrity over temptation, she immediately took the bag to the Pondy Bazaar police station and handed it over.

Police officials verified the jewellery’s weight and value before tracing its rightful owner. The ornaments belonged to Ramesh, a resident of Nanganallur, who had accidentally left the bag on a pushcart while chatting with a friend. He had already filed a complaint about the missing bag. After confirming his documents, the police returned the jewellery to him.

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Padma’s act of honesty quickly drew admiration from the public. Remarkably, her husband Subramani had also set an example during the COVID-19 lockdown when he found ₹1.5 lakh in cash near Marina Beach and handed it to the police.

Recognizing her integrity, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin honoured Padma with a cash reward of ₹1 lakh. He praised her for upholding values that inspire society at large.

Padma’s story is a reminder that honesty and good character continue to shine through in everyday life. Her actions not only safeguarded someone’s valuables but also reinforced the importance of trust and responsibility in the community.

Compiled by: Aditi Majhi