Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today presented the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 to National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval in Pune, Maharashtra. On the occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde and Smt. Sunetra Pawar, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, along with several other dignitaries, were present.

In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that today marks the 106^th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He said that Tilak Maharaj gave the mantra, “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it,” to provide a new direction and meaning to India's freedom struggle. He added that complete Swaraj can be achieved only when our system of governance, language, culture, and religion are firmly established. Shri Shah said that Tilak Maharaj connected the masses with the movements for Swaraj and independence. He further stated that Tilak Maharaj introduced a new form of nationalism—cultural nationalism—into the freedom movement. Shri Shah said that Tilak Maharaj also charted the course the nation would follow in the future, asserting that whenever India attained independence, it would progress along this very path. Today, he said, the country has embarked on the path of cultural nationalism.

Shri Amit Shah said that Lokmanya Tilak was a teacher and an outstanding journalist. As a great thinker, he gave expression to the soul of India before the world and ignited the spirit of Swaraj in the hearts of millions. He said that throughout the freedom movement, there was no one comparable to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak—a visionary, an exceptional teacher, a fearless journalist, a profound thinker, and a Karmayogi.

Union Home Minister said that Tilak Maharaj presented before the nation the practical essence of the Bhagavad Gita. He established a complete educational ecosystem in Pune, beginning with the New English School, followed by the Deccan Education Society, and culminating in Fergusson College. Tilak Maharaj believed that the true purpose of education was to enlighten the intellect with knowledge. Shri Shah said that if the British feared any newspapers, they feared Kesari and The Maratha. He noted that Tilak Maharaj was the first to establish that even if independence were achieved, it would hold little value unless the national consciousness of the people had first been awakened. Tilak Maharaj also emphasized that national strength can never be built without organization and the collective power of the people. Through various public festivals, he united not only the people of Maharashtra but also citizens across the country. Shri Shah further said that self-reliance, discipline, and a sense of duty towards the nation and the Constitution are also integral to Swaraj. He added that the life, thoughts, and writings of Tilak Maharaj continue to serve as a source of inspiration for today's youth and adolescents.

Shri Amit Shah said that today Shri Ajit Doval has been conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. He said that an award is not merely a medal; it is a means of inspiring people and acknowledging the outstanding contributions of eminent individuals. When a person makes an extraordinary contribution in any field of society, he ceases to remain just an individual and rises far above, becoming an enduring source of inspiration. It is the responsibility of society to honour such individuals. He said that by doing so, society not only fulfils its sense of duty but also inspires others to emulate such exemplary personalities. Shri Shah added that the conferment of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on Shri Ajit Doval will serve as a great source of inspiration for every citizen who lives and works in the service of the nation.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that when Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, a series of bomb blasts took place in the state. At that time, Shri Narendra Modi had said that the Gujarat Police should investigate not only those bomb blasts but also the individuals involved in them, as well as all the bomb blasts that had occurred across the country. Union Home Minister said that Shri Modi had then directed that Shri Ajit Doval be called to work alongside the Gujarat Police in carrying out the investigation. He added that, as a result, the Gujarat Police succeeded in solving not only the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts but also 13 bomb blast cases from across the country through a coordinated investigation.

Shri Amit Shah said that whenever the history of Shri Narendra Modi's tenure is written and the country's internal and external security is assessed, Shri Ajit Doval will undoubtedly have a golden chapter dedicated to his contributions. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India's foreign policy has become significantly stronger, and the country has firmly established its position in the world with dignity and respect. Shri Shah added that Shri Ajit Doval has made an immense contribution to this achievement of the Modi Government.

Union Home Minister said that from 1972 until he became the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Shri Ajit Doval served as a dedicated Intelligence Bureau officer and played an active role in addressing every major security challenge faced by the country. He said that Shri Doval made extraordinary contributions while serving in the Northeast, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Pakistan, contributions that are beyond description or assessment. He further said that Shri Ajit Doval also served in Pakistan for six years, including during a highly crucial period, making invaluable contributions to the nation's security.

Shri Amit Shah said that after 2019, the Modi Government worked to strengthen the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), which today serves as the backbone of the country's internal security. He said that it was Shri Ajit Doval who laid the strong foundation of the MAC. Shri Shah further said that when Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, he appointed Shri Ajit Doval as the National Security Advisor. He added that Shri Doval also holds the distinction of being the longest-serving National Security Advisor of the country.

Union Home Minister said that during Shri Ajit Doval's tenure as National Security Advisor, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took several landmark decisions to modernize India's Armed Forces, introduce contemporary reforms, and achieve an exceptional integration of technology and military prowess within the forces. He said that Shri Doval's extensive experience has been instrumental in shaping many of Prime Minister Modi's decisions. Shri Shah further stated that over the past 12 years, Prime Minister Modi has brought about a transformative change in strengthening the defensive capabilities and offensive preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces, and that Shri Ajit Doval has made a significant contribution to this achievement.

Union Home Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of Annabhau Sathe Ji on his birth anniversary.

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RK/PR/PS