Padma Awards, Bharat Ratna for those who serve poor, not family: Amit Shah

“Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna — all these awards are not for the family, not for people known to you. It is for those who, without expecting praise dedicate their lives to the poor people of Bharat Mata”, said Union Home and Co-operation Minister Amit Shah in Gujarat's Amreli on Thursday.

Shah also said that it was because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “wish” that Surat-based diamond businessman Govind Dholakia was made a member of the Rajya Sabha (RS). Recalling the contribution of the Govind Dholakia-founded Shree Ramkrishna Group in curbing religious conversions in the districts of South Gujarat, Shah said Dholakia's foundation (SRK Knowledge Foundation) built “Hanuman temples and schools” Shah was speaking at the inauguration of the Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar in Amreli, built by the Harekrishna Group and the Dholakia Foundation promoted by another leading diamantaire Savji Dholakia.

The Padma Awards aren’t just about prestige — they’re about deepening democracy Referring to the Padma Shri awarded to Savjibhai in 2022, Shah said, “Look at his modesty.

Savjibhai said I have not even applied and yet I got a Padma Shri. Savjibhai after rejuvenating 208 lakes if you have to apply for these (awards) our government would be considered useless. Shah said, “I went to Surat, to Nizar, Uchhal, Dang, right up to Valsad.