New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval urged India’s youth to understand the true meaning of freedom, saying it should not be viewed merely as the liberty to do whatever one desires. Speaking at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 ceremony in Pune, Doval called on young Indians to dedicate themselves to nation building and uphold the ideals championed by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Reflecting on Tilak’s legacy, Doval said the younger generation should appreciate the difficult conditions under which the freedom movement’s leaders worked. He noted that today’s youth enjoy freedoms that earlier generations secured through immense sacrifice and hardship, making it important to understand the historical context in which Tilak shaped India’s national consciousness.
Doval urged young people to study Tilak’s vision and values, describing him as a leader who inspired patriotism and played a vital role in the country’s journey towards independence. He said freedom carries responsibilities and should be used to strengthen the nation rather than simply pursue individual interests.
The NSA appealed to the youth to place the nation’s interests above personal ambitions, describing the present period as a rare opportunity in India’s history to accelerate national development. He encouraged them to commit themselves fully to building a stronger and more prosperous India, saying future generations would benefit from the decisions and contributions made today.
According to Doval, young Indians should remain focused on collective progress and avoid allowing narrow or short term interests to distract them from the larger goal of nation building. He expressed confidence that the country could create a new chapter in its history if its youth embraced this responsibility with determination.
The ceremony also marked the presentation of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 to Ajit Doval. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the honour in recognition of Doval’s contribution to India’s national security, drawing comparisons between Tilak’s fearless nationalist ideals and the security framework developed under Doval’s leadership.
