Latest news with #Kant
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Kerala to G20, face of key govt schemes Amitabh Kant calls it a day
After serving the government for 45 years, Amitabh Kant has now stepped down as India's G20 Sherpa, bringing to a close a long innings in bureaucracy that saw him play a significant role in multiple government initiatives, both at the state and central levels, to shape its reform agenda. In July 2022, barely a month after completing a six-year stint as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NITI Aayog, India's apex policy think tank, Kant was handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as G20 Sherpa to represent India in the lead-up to its G20 presidency in 2023. 'I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for accepting my resignation as India's G20 Sherpa and for the trust he placed in me to drive developmental initiatives that shaped India's growth trajectory,' Kant said in a LinkedIn post Monday. Known for his time-bound delivery and communication skill, Kant led the process to hammer out the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration that was adopted by the G20 with consensus in September 2023 despite deepening geopolitical divides amid the Russia-Ukraine war. A retired 1980-batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, Kant, 69, said he would now deepen his engagement with 'free enterprise, startups, think tanks and academic institutions'. He is known for his interest in deep tech startups and electric mobility, and is considered among those bureaucrats who could connect with leaders in business and government alike. Ahead of his resignation, Kant took to social media to advocate for a large Fund of Funds (FoF), announced in the Union Budget 2025, to strengthen deep tech innovation. He also made a strong pitch for the cause of pure electric vehicles (EVs), likening investment in hybrids or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to 'investing in typewriters during the era of AI & smart phones'. In his stint with the central government, Kant had been Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (2014–16), CEO of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (2009-14), and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism (2001–07). He played a notable role in some major government initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, and Incredible India. Earlier, during his tenure in the Kerala government, Kant was credited with steering the campaign, 'Kerala: God's Own Country', to promote tourism in the state. Kant had been close to the Narenda Modi dispensation. In 2016, a year after PM Modi scrapped the Planning Commission and established NITI Aayog, Kant was named as its second CEO, where he served till June 30, 2022 to become its longest-serving CEO so far. During his tenure at the NITI Aayog, Kant drove some politically sensitive initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme and helped push the policy agenda across sectors—from manufacturing through the PLI (production linked incentive) scheme to innovation via the Atal Innovation Mission. He also led one of the empowered groups of officers tasked with formulating the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Kant was known for his rapport with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, which helped the former navigate his diplomatic assignment as the G20 Sherpa. A bureaucrat-turned-politician, Jaishankar is a retired officer of 1977 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) batch. Jaishankar and Kant went to the same college and university – St Stephens, Delhi, and JNU. Both Jaishankar and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who also studied in JNU, were mentioned by Kant in his resignation post for their 'guidance and support'. In the course of his long stints in Delhi, Kant's office addresses changed from Samrat Hotel to Udyog Bhawan to NITI Aayog to Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, but there were a few things that remained constant. First, there would be a glass door in his office, where anyone could see him before walking in. Second, his favourite playlist of ghazals including those sung by Chitra Singh, such as 'Ham ko dushman kee nigaahon se na dekha keejiye pyaar hee pyaar hain ham, ham pe bharosa keejiye'. Third, his team of private staff, who always worked with him. Kant has also been no stranger to controversy. In December 2020, he triggered a row by saying that 'tough' reforms are 'very difficult in the Indian context' as 'we are too much of a democracy' but the government has shown 'courage' and 'determination' in pushing such reforms across sectors, including mining, coal, labour and agriculture. His remarks came when farmers had taken to streets to hold protests against the three contentious central farm laws, which the Modi government was eventually forced to repeal. In March this year, Kant waded into the work-life balance row when, addressing an event, he batted for a 80-90 hour work week for India to move from a $4 trillion to $30 trillion economy by 2047. He said India needs to inculcate a good work ethic like Japan, South Korea, and China, which have attained high economic success through hard work. Kant's comments came after L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan and Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy had expressed similar views. As regards his future innings, Kant had earlier ruled out taking a plunge into public life. 'I've had a very long innings in government. I've been working for almost 44 years now. So, I have no ambition to get into politics or any such thing,' he told The Indian Express in October 2023. Earlier that year, Kant, a fitness enthusiast, had also said, 'I'm not ambitious. I just want to quit after December and play some good golf.' Kant has written several books, including 'How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency'.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Amitabh Kant, bureaucrat behind 'Incredible India', steps down after 45 years of service
NEW DELHI: A bureaucrat par excellence, Amitabh Kant, who has to his credit several first-of-their-kind initiatives over a 45-year illustrious career, has hung up his boots. Before bidding a final adieu to bureaucracy and public service, he served as India's G20 Sherpa, and prior to that, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the government's top think tank, NITI Aayog. A 1980-batch Kerala cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Kant announced his decision to resign as India's G20 Sherpa through a heartfelt post on social media, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting his resignation and for the trust placed in him in driving developmental initiatives that shaped India's growth trajectory. With his close associates claiming that Kant will definitely not stop here, as he still has a lot of energy and vision to offer, speculations are rife about his future plans. Many believe he might join the private sector, but nothing can be said with certainty. However, Kant himself has expressed a desire to engage more with start-ups, think tanks, and academic institutions in a personal capacity. 'I now look forward to contributing to India's transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by facilitating and supporting free enterprise, start-ups, think tanks, and academic institutions,' Kant wrote on his X handle. 'After 45 years of dedicated government service, I have made the decision to embrace new opportunities and move forward in life. I am incredibly thankful to the Prime Minister of India for accepting my resignation as G20 Sherpa and for having given me the…,' he wrote in the X post.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amitabh Kant resigns as G20 Sherpa, ends 45-year stint in bureaucracy
File photo: Amitabh Kant (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant Monday stepped down from his role, ending a 45-year stint in the country's bureaucracy where he handled crucial assignments and helped design several vital policies. Kant, a retired 1980-batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, was appointed G20 Sherpa in 2022 and tasked with steering the meeting of developed and emerging countries. A sherpa works as the PM's envoy for the forum and does heavy lifting on behalf of the country's leader. "After 45 years of dedicated service, I have decided to embrace new opportunities & begin a new chapter," Kant said in a social media post, thanking PM Modi for the trust he placed in him to drive developmental initiatives that shaped the country's growth trajectory. "Leading India's G20 Presidency in 2023 was a significant milestone in my career. Despite complex global challenges, we achieved a unanimous consensus on the New Delhi Leaders Declaration, and refocused attention on key developmental issues," Kant, who is known for his problem-solving abilities, said. Kant, an alumnus of St Stephen's College and JNU, has served as CEO of policy think tank Niti Aayog , where he worked on crucial initiatives such as the aspirational districts programmes aimed at improving conditions in some of the country's most backwards districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 【大正製薬】1日3粒目安でおなか脂肪対策 大正製薬 今すぐ購入 Undo He began his career in Kerala and helped design the "God's Own Country" campaign, which helped promote tourism significantly. "Later in the ministry of tourism, we initiated the 'Incredible India' campaign - born from the belief that travel and tourism has the best multiplier impact on jobs and growth," said Kant.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Amitabh Kant, bureaucrat behind 'God's Own Country', 'Incredible India', steps down after 45 years of service
NEW DELHI: A bureaucrat par excellence, Amitabh Kant, who has to his credit several first-of-their-kind initiatives over a 45-year illustrious career, has hung up his boots. Before bidding a final adieu to bureaucracy and public service, he served as India's G20 Sherpa, and prior to that, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the government's top think tank, NITI Aayog. A 1980-batch Kerala cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Kant announced his decision to resign as India's G20 Sherpa through a heartfelt post on social media, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting his resignation and for the trust placed in him in driving developmental initiatives that shaped India's growth trajectory. With his close associates claiming that Kant will definitely not stop here, as he still has a lot of energy and vision to offer, speculations are rife about his future plans. Many believe he might join the private sector, but nothing can be said with certainty. However, Kant himself has expressed a desire to engage more with start-ups, think tanks, and academic institutions in a personal capacity. 'I now look forward to contributing to India's transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by facilitating and supporting free enterprise, start-ups, think tanks, and academic institutions,' Kant wrote on his X handle. 'After 45 years of dedicated government service, I have made the decision to embrace new opportunities and move forward in life. I am incredibly thankful to the Prime Minister of India for accepting my resignation as G20 Sherpa and for having given me the…,' he wrote in the X post.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Amitabh Kant resigns as G-20 Sherpa, thanks PM Modi for the opportunities
Amitabh Kant, who managed diverse assignments during his 45 years in government service, has resigned as the G-20 Sherpa. Mr. Kant, a retired 1980-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, was appointed as India's G-20 Sherpa in July 2022, months before India assumed the G-20 Presidency. In a LinkedIn post titled 'My New Journey', Mr. Kant said, 'After 45 years of dedicated government service, I have made the decision to embrace new opportunities and move forward in life. I am incredibly thankful to the Prime Minister of India for accepting my resignation as G-20 Sherpa and for having given me the opportunity to drive a range of developmental initiatives and contribute to the growth, development, and progress of India.' Mr. Kant, who was the face behind India's G-20 preparations, said leading multilateral negotiations as the country's Sherpa has been one of the most significant milestones in his career. In 2023, Mr. Kant said India executed one of the most inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive G-20 presidencies ever seen in the history of the forum. 'We achieved unanimous consensus on the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, despite significant geopolitical challenges, managing to refocus the world's attention on critical developmental priorities such as digital public infrastructure, multilateral financial reform, climate finance, and women-led development,' he said. He said India held G-20 meetings across every State and Union Territory, which contributed significantly to cooperative federalism by beautifying and upgrading cities, engaging local artists and craftsmen, and promoting local cuisines. 'We also successfully expanded the G-20's scope to include the African Union, fulfilling India's promise and commitment to global inclusivity and collaboration with the Global South,' he said. Earlier, as CEO of NITI Aayog from 2016-2022, Mr. Kant said he had the privilege of being part of the transformative Aspirational Districts Programme, which uplifted 115 of India's most backward districts by improving socio-economic indicators and creating opportunities for millions of our citizens. 'During those 6+ years, NITI played a key role in pushing digital public infrastructure through policy, and helped lay the foundational groundwork for India's digital revolution,' he said, adding that through the production-linked incentive schemes to boost manufacturing and accelerate industrial growth, the Green Hydrogen Mission, advanced chemistry cells, and the Atal Innovation Mission, the Aayog played a key role in positioning India as a global leader in climate action, cutting-edge innovation, and sustainable enterprise. Mr. Kant said his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, now called the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, was dedicated to reform and liberalisation, with focus on ease of doing business, and the Make in India and Startup India initiatives, which continue to act as a framework for India's thriving ecosystem of manufacturing. Throughout his career, Mr. Kant said he has been guided by a strong sense of service to a place and its people. 'Kerala was the first home to my IAS career, and I drew deeply from its communities — initiating the 'God's Own Country' campaign, supporting the expansion of Calicut Airport, and working closely with the fishermen and women of Kerala,' the former NITI Aayog CEO said. Mr. Kant said he took everything he learnt and poured it into policies at the Centre — 'Incredible India' was born during his time as Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism because he saw what shining a light on India's diversity can do for the economy, ecology, and essence of a place. 'India has, and will always be, Incredible. In a small way, I have contributed to helping the world recognise that,' he said. Mr. Kant also said he is incredibly grateful to Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S. Jaishankar for their inspiration, guidance, and trust. 'I now look forward to contributing to India's transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by facilitating and supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions,' he said.
