Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Says Padma Awards Recognise Public Service, Not Connections
Amit Shah spoke about why Padma awards are given to people who help society.
He said the awards should not be given just because someone is a relative or acquaintance.
He praised Savji Dholakia for helping conserve water in Gujarat.
Dholakia’s projects helped create 208 lakes.
Dholakia received the Padma Shri in 2022 for social work.
Shah also described the Dholakia family foundation’s work in villages.
This work includes supporting schools, temples and cultural programmes.
Shah hopes these efforts will encourage more water conservation across Gujarat.
Amit Shah said Padma awards are intended for people devoted to public service, not families, acquaintances or relatives.
Shah praised philanthropist Savji Dholakia for water-conservation work involving 208 lakes in Gujarat.
Dholakia received the Padma Shri in 2022 for social work and said he had not applied for it.
Shah highlighted the Dholakia family foundation’s work supporting villages, temples, cultural programmes and schools in South Gujarat.
Shah urged the foundation to expand its initiatives from more than 250 villages to 1,100 villages.
- Who
- Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and philanthropist Savji Dholakia, whose work Shah praised.
- What
- Shah discussed the purpose of Padma awards and highlighted Dholakia’s water-conservation and philanthropic initiatives.
- When
- Thursday; Dholakia received the Padma Shri in March 2022.
- Where
- At the inauguration of Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar in Dudhala, Amreli district, Gujarat.
- Why
- Shah said national civilian honours should recognise people who serve the public without seeking praise or relying on personal connections.
- Award recipient
- Savji Dholakia received the Padma Shri in 2022 for Social Work.
- Award presentation
- Then President Ram Nath Kovind presented the honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March 2022.
- Water-conservation work
- Dholakia was praised for projects involving 208 lakes.
- Organisation
- Dholakia is the founder and chairman of Hari Krishna Exports.
- Foundation initiatives
- The Dholakia family foundation has supported villages, Hanuman temples, Sundarkand programmes and schools in South Gujarat.
- Expansion target
- Shah urged the foundation to expand its work from more than 250 villages to 1,100 villages.
- Event location
- The remarks were made at the inauguration of Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar in Dudhala, Amreli district.