World · India Bureau
NSA Doval shares career crisis story at IIT Roorkee
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval recounted a challenging episode from his early career when a failed mission threatened to derail his professional trajectory. The senior official revealed how an unexpected intervention helped him gain perspective during the critical moment.
LSN India ·

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, shared a significant episode from the early stages of his career while addressing students at IIT Roorkee, describing a moment when he believed his professional prospects had ended. The incident occurred following a mission operation that did not proceed as planned, leaving Doval confronting what he perceived as a career-ending situation at the time. Doval's account highlighted the gravity of the setback he faced during his formative years in intelligence and security work. According to Doval's recollection, a Sherpa—a local guide or aide—offered him a simple but transformative piece of perspective that altered how he viewed the difficult circumstances surrounding the failed operation. This intervention proved crucial in helping Doval reframe his understanding of the setback and its implications for his career trajectory. Doval's anecdote underscores the role of unexpected wisdom and human connection in navigating professional crises. The NSA's remarks to the IIT Roorkee audience suggested that seemingly insurmountable career obstacles can be overcome through resilience and a willingness to adopt new perspectives during challenging periods.