Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Says Padma Awards Honor Service, Not Family Connections
Amit Shah spoke at an event in Amreli, Gujarat.
He said important awards should go to people who help the poor and do not work for praise.
He praised businessman Govind Dholakia for helping build temples and schools in South Gujarat.
Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted Dholakia to join the Rajya Sabha.
He also praised Savji Dholakia for helping restore 208 lakes.
The event opened a large water reservoir called the Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar.
The reservoir can hold 400 million litres of water.
Shah said it will help farmers, people who need drinking water and underground water supplies.
He also said efforts had helped Gujarat become drought-free.
Amit Shah said India’s top civilian awards should recognize people who dedicate themselves to serving the poor, rather than family or personal connections.
Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wish for Govind Dholakia’s 2024 election to the Rajya Sabha.
He praised Govind Dholakia’s foundation for building Hanuman temples and schools in tribal areas of South Gujarat.
Shah highlighted Savji Dholakia’s 2022 Padma Shri and his role in rejuvenating 208 lakes without applying for the award.
The 21-acre Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar in Amreli can store 400 million litres for agriculture, drinking water and groundwater conservation.
- Who
- Union Home and Co-operation Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Govind Dholakia and Savji Dholakia.
- What
- Shah spoke about civilian awards, Dholakia’s Rajya Sabha appointment, charitable work and the inauguration of the Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar.
- When
- Thursday; Govind Dholakia was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2024, and Savji Dholakia received the Padma Shri in 2022.
- Where
- Amreli, Gujarat, with references to Surat and tribal districts of South Gujarat.
- Why
- Shah said awards should recognize selfless service, while the reservoir and community initiatives were intended to support water availability and address religious-conversion concerns cited by the BJP.
- Speaker
- Amit Shah, Union Home and Co-operation Minister
- Event
- Inauguration of the Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar
- Reservoir size
- 21 acres
- Reservoir capacity
- 400 million litres
- Govind Dholakia
- Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2024
- Savji Dholakia
- Received the Padma Shri in 2022
- Lake restoration
- Savji Dholakia was credited with rejuvenating 208 lakes