I feel that from the grassroots to the top, we are in the right direction: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Adani Presents Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and there is a challenge in to extend that growth, further, beyond our generation and pass it on to the next generation. Times Network hosted Adani presents Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026 in New Delhi yesterday, bringing together a distinguished gathering of changemakers, Industry and CSR leaders, NGO founders, to felicitate nominees across nine categories.
Speaking at the Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026 Union Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted the importance of freedom of expression. He added, “We are fortunate to be part of this great society. I have seen how we struggled to grow as a nation. Today, in front of our eyes, we are witnessing India growing so fast, infact outpacing so many other countries. Whatever be the debate, the narratives, these are part of the democracy. If there are people who are not feeling part of the growth story, then it is our duty, as a part of govt to bring them along . There will always be some section of society who will be disillusioned, or not satisfied by the way we are growing. That’s fine. In a nation like ours, people must have different opinions, or different thoughts, or different beliefs. They have the right to say India is not growing. Some people may question our GDP. But that is politics. But the fact that they are able to say it, I only question those people that, don’t say that you are not allowed to speak because the way you are speaking, where will you get more freedom than this, if not in India, where you can speak from day to night. The ones who speak more, are the ones who say that there is no freedom to talk. This is the beauty of our nature of democracy. Parliamentary democracy. The challenges will always remain. In the midst of all of this, the role of media, the role of social media, artificial intelligence, will play a bigger role in the days to come.”
Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, received the Special Recognition for Public Service. In his special address he showed respect to each of the amazing Indian awardees.
The distinguished Grand Jury comprising some of the country’s most respected names, included, Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of India, General Upendra Dwivedi, Former Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army, Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairman, Rothschild India; Founder, India Sanitation Coalition & Former Chairman, HSBC India, Prasoon Joshi, Chairperson, Prasar Bharati, Amitabh Kant, Former G20 Sherpa & Former CEO, NITI Aayog, Kushboo Sundar, Actor, Producer & BJP State Vice President, Tamil Nadu, and Dr Deepa Malik, Padma Shri & Khel Ratna Awardee and India’s First Woman Paralympic Medallist.
The Adani presents Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026 honoured changemakers across diverse fields, recognising individuals who are driving meaningful impact in society. The awardees included Colonel Dr. Navaz Shariff and Parveen Shaikh, who were named joint winners in Animal Welfare & Wildlife Conservation, while Anita Agarwal and Sayera Rahman shared the honour in Disability – Care, Rehabilitation & Developmental Support. Karthikeyan Ganesan won in Disability – Rights, Accessibility & Inclusion, with Gopinath Paul emerging winner in Education & Learning and Stalin Dayanand and Rahul Nagnath Kawde jointly winning in Environment & Sustainability. Awadhesh Kumar was recognised for Healthcare & Accessibility, Umendra Dutt for Rural, Community & Livelihood Development, Nannam Thirupati for Social Innovation using Technology, and Audrey Dmello for Women & Child Development. Abhijeet Anand Pokharnikar received a Special Jury Mention in Education & Learning.
The landmark event featured a grand Jury discussion, offering audiences a closer look at the stories and people behind the nominations, followed by the much-awaited felicitation of the winners, and special addresses by the Chief Guests.