The North News
New Delhi, January 10
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has urged youth to take thoughtful and far-sighted decisions, cautioning them against losing focus in an era dominated by social media and constant distractions. Addressing students at the opening ceremony of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, Doval said many people begin the new year with resolutions — to reduce time on social media, study harder, go to the gym or use their time more productively. “Some follow through, some don’t,” he said, adding that the ability to make the right decisions was critical in shaping one’s future.
He stressed that before taking any major step, individuals should think not only about the first move but also the next two steps ahead, highlighting the importance of long-term planning and foresight. Doval said dreaming was essential but warned that dreams alone were insufficient. “You must convert your dreams into decisions, and then turn those decisions into reality,” he said. Some people succeed in this process, he noted, while others lose their way either between dreaming and deciding, or between deciding and implementing.
Reflecting on India’s past, Doval said the country’s freedom had come at a heavy cost. He spoke of sacrifices made by earlier generations, periods of humiliation and helplessness, and the destruction of villages, temples and institutions. This history, he said, posed a challenge for today’s youth.
Using strong language, he said young Indians must have the determination to reclaim the country’s rightful place by building a strong nation based on its own rights, ideas and beliefs. He warned that past generations had failed to recognise threats to security in time, and said forgetting the lessons of history would be “the greatest tragedy” for future generations.
