Ajit Doval & Pune Share A Special Connection: What The National Security Advisor Said About His Childhood In

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in Pune from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tilak's 106th death anniversary.

Doval said Tilak's vision remains relevant and that he gave Indians courage to resist British rule, inspiring a new wave of thought among youth.

Doval stressed that national security is vital and must be prioritized above all else, as India faces challenges from within and outside.

Doval recalled living in Pune for 1.5 years as a child, visiting Chaturshringi Temple weekly, and first learning about Tilak from a teacher at age five.

The award ceremony was organized by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar in attendance.