Amreli, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Padma awards are meant to honour people who dedicate their lives to public service without seeking recognition, citing philanthropist Savjibhai Dholakia’s contribution to water conservation as an example.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar’ in Dudhala, Amreli district, Shah referred to Dholakia’s Padma Shri and his reported remark that he had not applied for the award.
“Savjibhai said, ‘I did not even apply, and I was given the Padma Shri.’ Savjibhai, after doing so much work for water conservation through 208 lakes, if you still have to apply, then our government would be considered useless if the government cannot see it,” Shah said.
The Centre conferred the Padma Shri on Dholakia in 2022 for Social Work. He received the award from then President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March that year. Dholakia, founder and chairman of Hari Krishna Exports, was recognised for his social initiatives and contribution to community welfare.
Shah said the national civilian honours were not intended for people selected because of family connections or personal familiarity.
“Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna… these awards are not for families, nor are they for acquaintances and relatives. These awards are for those who, without seeking praise, devote their entire lives to the people of ‘Bharat Mata’ and the poor,” he said.
Highlighting Dholakia’s water-conservation efforts, Shah said the creation of 208 lakes represented a significant contribution and had helped promote a broader culture of water conservation in Saurashtra.
He also spoke about initiatives undertaken by the Dholakia family’s foundation in South Gujarat. Recalling conversations with Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia, Shah said the foundation had undertaken work in villages, including construction of Hanuman temples, organisation of satsangs and support for schools.
Shah said he had urged the foundation to expand its work from more than 250 villages to 1,100 villages. He noted that the foundation had established Hanuman temples, organised Sundarkand programmes on Saturdays and supported educational initiatives.
Recalling an interaction with academically successful students, Shah said he was particularly impressed by tribal children reciting Sanskrit shlokas and Durga Stavan.
“I was truly moved by the way children from tribal families and tribal villages were reciting Sanskrit shlokas and Durga Stavan,” he said.
Shah also praised the Dholakia family’s approach to philanthropy and said wealth should ultimately be used for the benefit of others.
He congratulated Dholakia and his team for their work and expressed hope that their initiatives would encourage similar water-conservation efforts across Saurashtra and Gujarat.
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