“I am incredibly thankful to the Prime Minister of India for accepting my resignation as G20 Sherpa and for giving me the opportunity to drive a range of developmental initiatives and contribute to the growth, development, and progress of India,” he added.Kant’s legacy as a bureaucrat includes a long list of accomplishments and notable positions held during his distinguished career. As NITI Aayog’s first CEO, he played a key role in shaping India’s development agenda. His appointment as G20 Sherpa in July 2022 further cemented his reputation as a seasoned bureaucrat, particularly during India’s G20 presidency.In his home cadre, Kerala, as the Tourism Secretary, Kant promoted the state as a major tourist destination and is credited with coining the slogan “Kerala: God’s Own Country” during his tenure and popularising it.Kant’s talent was quickly recognised by the Union government, and he was soon brought on central deputation and assigned the task of Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism in 2001, where he remained till 2007.During his tenure in the Ministry, Kant conceived the ‘Incredible India’ campaign with the intent to transform India into a sought-after tourist destination globally. He also conceptualised and executed the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (Guest is God) campaign to train taxi drivers, tourist guides, and immigration officials.Later, as the Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Kant drove initiatives such as “Make in India”, “Start-Up India”, and “Ease of Doing Business”.With all the accolades he earned as a bureaucrat, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of bureaucrats and policymakers, his colleagues and close associates say.
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