Instituted in 1983 on August 1 to mark Bal Gangadhar Tilak's death anniversary, this annual award honors individuals who drive national progress.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Saturday. The grand presentation ceremony took place in Pune to honor Doval's remarkable contributions toward safeguarding India's strategic security landscape.

The Tilak Smarak Trust emphasized that Doval received this distinguished recognition for his extraordinary operational leadership and ongoing dedication. Over an illustrious career, the 81 year old strategist successfully handled sensitive security responsibilities across Mizoram, Sikkim, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.

As India's longest serving National Security Advisor, Doval also managed crucial diplomatic assignments in Islamabad and London. Furthermore, he represented India in boundary discussions with China and played an instrumental diplomatic role in successfully resolving the tense Doklam standoff.

Instituted in 1983 on August 1 to mark Bal Gangadhar Tilak's death anniversary, this annual award honors individuals who drive national progress. Distinguished past recipients include Prime Ministers Narendra Modi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, and Indira Gandhi, alongside former President Pranab Mukherjee.

During his Pune visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid rich floral tributes to legendary social reformer, folk poet, and Dalit literature icon Annabhau Sathe on his birth anniversary. Top Maharashtra leaders including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar attended the Sarasbaug commemorative event alongside Shah, honoring Sathe's immense local and societal contributions.