Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday presented the Lokmanya Tilak National Award to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at a ceremony held in Pune, Maharashtra. The award is given in memory of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak and is conferred on individuals who have made notable contributions to the nation’s progress and development.
Speaking at the event, Shah said Doval’s work in national security and foreign policy had earned him a lasting place in India’s history. He added that any assessment of internal and external security would have to acknowledge Doval’s role.
Shah also drew a parallel between Tilak’s fearless nationalist outlook and what he described as a modern security framework shaped under Doval’s tenure. He said India’s foreign policy had become more firm since 2014, attributing it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Doval’s functioning as NSA.
Referring to his own tenure as Gujarat’s Home Minister, Shah said inputs and advice from Doval helped the state police solve the Ahmedabad blast case and also contributed to resolving 13 blast incidents across the country. He added that honouring those who dedicate their lives to society is a collective responsibility and said the recognition would inspire people working for the nation.
Doval, in his remarks, urged young people not to view freedom as an unrestricted right to do whatever one wants, and asked them to keep in mind Tilak’s vision and nation-building spirit. The Lokmanya Tilak National Award has been presented since 1983, and past recipients include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime ministers Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, and former President Pranab Mukherjee.
