Padma Shri awardee Dr. Rajni Kant praises PM Modi's transparent governance style
Synopsis
Dr. Rajni Kant — the grassroots social worker turned 'GI Man of India' — says he never imagined receiving a Padma Shri, and credits PM Modi's transparent, visionary governance for recognising workers outside the elite. His remarks spotlight a deliberate shift in Padma politics: honouring the unsung over the establishment.
Key Takeaways
Rajni Kant , known as the 'GI Man of India' , received the Padma Shri in 2019 for his work in securing GI certifications for indigenous Indian products.
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a governance style he described as rooted in transparency and societal benefit .
Kant cited Ujjwala Yojana , Jan Dhan accounts, clean energy, and Artificial Intelligence as examples of Modi's forward-looking vision.
He described developments in Odisha , West Bengal , and the north-eastern states as a 'Sanatan Kranti' , calling them future role models.
Kant noted that India's global standing and diaspora pride have grown significantly since 2014–15 .
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Rajni Kant, widely recognised as the 'GI Man of India' for his decades of work in securing Geographical Indication (GI) certifications for indigenous Indian products, has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a 'transparent' working style rooted in societal benefit. Dr. Kant, who received the Padma Shri in 2019, made the remarks in Bhubaneswar on 27 May.
Recognition He Never Expected
Dr. Kant, who has spent over 35 years working in social service, said the honour came as a complete surprise. 'I am a very simple social worker and have spent 35 years of my life working in society. I had never even imagined receiving a Padma Award,' he said.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Central government for recognising grassroots workers. 'Such a recognition gives a message to the country that the government works with transparency for the society's benefit,' Dr. Kant added.
Modi's Governance Vision, As Dr. Kant Sees It
Dr. Kant credited the Prime Minister with being 'highly visionary', pointing to a range of welfare and development initiatives. He cited schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, the Jan Dhan financial inclusion programme, universal banking access, clean energy drives, and the current push into Artificial Intelligence as markers of a forward-looking governance model.
'He anticipates future needs and works accordingly,' Dr. Kant asserted, adding that India's rapid digitalisation has earned global recognition since 2014–15, and particularly after 2016.
Focus on Eastern India and the North-East
Highlighting the Centre's engagement with Odisha, West Bengal, and the north-eastern states, Dr. Kant said the region is poised to emerge as a model for the rest of the country. He described the change visible in Bengal and Odisha as a 'Sanatan Kranti' — a cultural and developmental transformation — and said these states are set to become role models in the coming years.
He noted that Prime Minister Modi's consistent 'Look East' emphasis has helped direct national attention and resources toward a historically underserved region.
India's Global Standing and the Diaspora
Dr. Kant also reflected on India's rising international profile, saying that NRIs and world leaders have taken note of the pace of India's progress since the mid-2010s. He quoted Prime Minister Modi's message to the Indian diaspora: 'Whichever country they reside in, they should work upholding that nation's policy but keep India alive in their hearts.'
He added that Indian culture — including the 'Namaste' greeting — is increasingly being adopted globally, which he called a source of national pride. Dr. Kant's remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Padma awardees from non-traditional, grassroots backgrounds, for whom the recognition has served as both personal validation and a signal of the government's outreach priorities.
Point of View
But the remarks are largely testimonial rather than analytical — and should be read as such. What is noteworthy is the profile of the speaker: a self-described 'simple social worker' with 35 years in the field, not a corporate figurehead or party functionary. The Padma awards under the current government have increasingly recognised such non-establishment contributors, which is a genuine policy shift worth tracking. Whether that shift translates into sustained institutional support for GI certification, rural innovation, and north-east development — areas Dr. Kant champions — remains the more substantive question.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Rajni Kant and why is he called the 'GI Man of India'?
Dr. Rajni Kant is a Geographical Indication (GI) expert who has spent over 35 years working in social service and is credited with securing GI certifications for hundreds of indigenous and traditional Indian products. His instrumental role in this field earned him the informal title 'GI Man of India' and, in 2019, the Padma Shri.
Why did Dr. Rajni Kant praise PM Modi?
Dr. Kant praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a transparent governance style focused on societal benefit. He cited welfare initiatives such as Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan accounts, clean energy programmes, and the push into Artificial Intelligence as evidence of the Prime Minister's forward-looking vision.
What did Dr. Kant say about eastern India and the north-east?
Dr. Kant said that Odisha, West Bengal, and the north-eastern states are undergoing a transformation he termed 'Sanatan Kranti' and are set to become role models for the rest of India. He linked this change to Prime Minister Modi's consistent 'Look East' policy emphasis.
What did Dr. Kant say about India's global image?
Dr. Kant said India's digitalisation is being recognised worldwide and that NRIs and global leaders have taken note of the country's progress since 2014–15. He also noted that Indian cultural practices such as the 'Namaste' greeting are being adopted internationally, which he described as a source of national pride.
When and where did Dr. Rajni Kant make these remarks?
Dr. Rajni Kant made these remarks in Bhubaneswar on 27 May, speaking to reporters about his experience as a Padma Shri recipient and his views on the current government's governance approach.
