Amitabh Kant

Amitabh Kant is a prominent Indian bureaucrat currently serving as India's G20 Sherpa to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Known for his visionary leadership and significant contributions to India's policy and governance, Amitabh's illustrious career spans various pivotal roles, including his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, a public policy think tank of the Government of India. 

A retired member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Amitabh's journey began with his education at Modern School, Delhi, followed by a degree in Economics (Hons.) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and an M.A. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. A Chevening Scholar, Amitabh's academic foundation laid the groundwork for his impactful career.

Amitabh commenced his IAS career in the Kerala cadre, initially serving as the sub-collector of Thalassery. His tenure in Thalassery was marked by significant infrastructural improvements, including road widening, removing encroachments, and relocating the town's fish market to the beach area. 

Amitabh was appointed Managing Director of the Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd (Matsyafed), where he introduced fiberglass boats and outboard motor technology to the fisheries sector and launched beach-level auctions.

As the District Collector of Kozhikode (Calicut), Amitabh played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Calicut airport. As Kerala's Tourism Secretary, Amitabh promoted the state as a premier tourist destination, famously coining the slogan ‘Kerala: God's Own Country’.

In 2001, Amitabh was appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, where he stayed until 2007. During this period, he conceived the 'Incredible India' campaign through Ogilvy and Mather, aiming to transform India into a sought-after tourist destination. He also conceptualized and executed the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ campaign to train taxi drivers, tourist guides, and immigration officials. 

Later, as the Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Amitabh spearheaded initiatives like 'Make in India,' 'Start Up India,' and 'Ease of Doing Business.' 

His leadership at NITI Aayog from 2016 to 2022 saw him chair Empowered Group 3 for COVID-19 management and initiate national-level projects such as Asset Monetization and the National Mission for Transformative Mobility. 

He also advocated for natural farming methods and drove the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) to improve the socio-economic indicators of 112 of India's most backward districts.