Amitabh Kant

Amitabh Kant (born 1 March 1956) is an Indian bureaucrat and is presently India's G20 Sherpa to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amitabh Kant was born on 1 March 1956.

He first studied at Modern School, Delhi, graduated with a degree in Economics (Hons.) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and earned an M.A. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

He was a Chevening Scholar.

Kant began his Indian Administrative Service career in the Kerala cadre, working as sub collector of Thalassery.

Upon assuming the position in September 1984, he embarked on initiatives to address longstanding issues within the fishing industry, notably the exploitation by middlemen.

Introducing "beach level" auctions aimed to ensure fishermen received fair compensation for their catch and facilitating direct payments through bank accounts streamlined financial transactions.

Recognising the vulnerability of fishermen to alcohol addiction, he actively engaged with fishing communities, forming self-help groups and garnering support for their initiatives.

His fluency in Malayalam, acquired during his earlier tenure in the region, facilitated communication and fostered trust among locals.

Under his leadership, Matsyafed implemented a financial model wherein 50% of proceeds from fish sales were directly transferred to fishermen's bank accounts, with the remaining 50% allocated to loan repayment.

Additionally, initiatives such as dedicated buses for fisherwomen alleviated transportation challenges and garnered popularity among the community.

Beginning 1992, as District Collector of Kozhikode (Calicut), Kant spearheaded initiatives to modernise the city, focusing on revamping public spaces and infrastructure.

His efforts included transforming the Mananchira Maidan into a vibrant recreational area and widening narrow roads, despite legal challenges, as well as the extension of the city's airport runway.

Under his leadership, the runway was expanded from 4500 to 6000 feet, facilitating improved aviation capabilities.

This enhancement proved significant for the region, particularly considering the substantial number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) traveling to and from the Gulf countries.

Kant also oversaw the establishment of a public library and research centre, contributing to the city's cultural landscape, resulting in Kozhikode received UNESCO recognition as the "City of Literature," reflecting its rich literary heritage.

Kant's initiatives aimed to promote intellectual discourse and cultural development in the region.

During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the expansion of Calicut airport, leveraging community participation and innovative financing models.

This endeavour revolutionised travel for the Gulf workforce and served as a catalyst for infrastructure development across Kerala.

Transitioning to the role of Tourism Secretary, Kant rebranded Kerala as 'God's Own Country,' initiating partnerships and innovative tourism programs.

His vision and leadership led to global recognition and laid the foundation for the acclaimed 'Incredible India' campaign during his tenure at the Ministry of Tourism.

Throughout his career, he has emphasised the role of fate and perseverance in achieving milestones, crediting the support of leaders like Prime Minister Vajpayee and collaborators like Santosh Sivan and Stark for shaping his journey in governance and tourism promotion.

Upon assuming the role of Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism in July 2001, he faced challenges as global events unfolded, including the 9/11 attacks and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

Amidst this crisis, the tourism industry witnessed a sharp decline, necessitating innovative strategies to revive it.

In this period, he envisioned the 'Incredible India' campaign, aiming to rebrand India as a tourist destination with a unified message and identity.

Despite initial skepticism and resistance, he successfully introduced a Quality-cum-Cost-Based (QCB) model for selecting a creative agency, leading to the involvement of renowned firms like Ogilvy and Mather (O&M).

The campaign's print and audiovisual elements, crafted by creative minds like V Sunil and Bharat Bala Productions, conveyed India's diverse appeal to an international audience in a compelling manner.

Its impact was swift and significant, with a 16% increase in tourist traffic within the first year.

This approach was instrumental in turning the tide for India's tourism industry, earning accolades and recognition.

Subsequently, he continued to make contributions to India's economic landscape as Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DPIIT).

Initiatives like "Make in India," Start Up India, and "Ease of Doing Business" propelled India's economic growth, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem and positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub.

As the CEO of NITI Aayog, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) became a landmark project under his leadership.

Inspired by his learnings from Kerala, the aim was to uplift India's most backward districts.

Innovative approaches, such as the 'Poshan' app and mobile health ambulances, were introduced to transform healthcare and well-being.

He is a governance reformer and a public policy change agent for India, having driven key reforms and initiatives during his tenure as the second chief executive officer of NITI Aayog, (2016-2022), a public policy think tank of the Government of India.

He is a retired member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the central civil service of the Government of India, and has been a key driver of flagship national initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, Incredible India, Kerala: God’s Own Country and the Aspirational Districts Program.

These initiatives have repositioned India and Kerala and have widely been recognised as transformational.

India Today's High & Mighty rankings of 2019 featured Kant as one of the most powerful people in India under the category of "The Supercrats - India's Top Bureaucrats" along with other bureaucrats such as Nripendra Misra and Ajit Doval.

Currently, he is an Indian delegate at the G20.

After his tenure in Tellicherry, Kant was appointed as the General Manager of the Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd., known as 'Matsyafed.' Established just six months prior, Matsyafed aimed to improve the lives of traditional fisherfolk.