Ajit Doval Urges Youth to Learn From History, Build a Strong and Self-Reliant India
Addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue, the National Security Advisor stresses leadership, security and economic strength as pillars of national resurgence
New Delhi, Jan 10: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Saturday urged India’s youth to draw lessons from the country’s painful past and work towards building a strong and resilient nation in every sphere from security and economy to social development.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the inauguration of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue, Doval said India must strengthen itself not only along its borders but across all dimensions to overcome centuries of subjugation and humiliation.
“You are fortunate to be born in an independent India. I was born in a colonised India. Our ancestors paid a huge price for freedom,” Doval told an audience of nearly 3,000 young delegates from across the country.
Recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh, he said generations before independence endured immense suffering to secure the nation’s liberty. “Bhagat Singh was hanged, Subhash Chandra Bose dedicated his life to the cause, and Mahatma Gandhi had to walk the path of satyagraha for us to become free,” he said.
While noting that “revenge” may not be an ideal word, Doval described it as a powerful force if channelled constructively. “We have to avenge our history by rebuilding this country into a great nation not just militarily, but economically, socially and in every other aspect,” he said.
Calling the participants leaders of the future, Doval emphasised the importance of decisive leadership, quoting Napoleon Bonaparte to underline his point. “I am not afraid of a thousand lions led by a sheep, but I am afraid of a thousand sheep led by a lion. Leadership matters,” he said, adding that India has witnessed such leadership in recent years.
He also reflected on India’s civilisational values, saying the country historically did not invade or destroy other cultures but suffered because it failed to adequately safeguard its own security. “History taught us a harsh lesson when we ignored threats. The real tragedy would be if future generations forget that lesson,” Doval warned.
