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Ajit Doval's Life-Changing Advice: "Know Where You Are, Where You Want to Go, and the Route"
M
Moneycontrol•22-09-2026, 09:10
Ajit Doval's Life-Changing Advice: "Know Where You Are, Where You Want to Go, and the Route"
- •Ajit Doval, a former Indian spymaster, shared a personal anecdote from a low phase in his career at IIT Roorkee's convocation.
- •An old Tibetan Sherpa colleague helped Doval by explaining his struggles were due to "map-reading" issues.
- •The Sherpa's simple advice: "Know where you are. Know where you want to go. And know the route to get there."
- •The first step, "Know where you are," emphasizes honest self-assessment of one's current situation, not as planned but as it truly is.
- •"Know where you want to go" highlights the importance of having a clear destination, ensuring actions lead closer to desired goals.
- •"Know the route to get there" focuses on practical steps, acknowledging that reaching a destination requires a defined path, even if it means changing direction or learning new things.
Key Questions Answered
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval recalled a low phase in his early intelligence career when a Tibetan Sherpa colleague used snow-covered mountain navigation to teach him three essential lessons: know where you are, know where you want to go, and know the route to get there.
During his early days as an intelligence officer in Sikkim, Ajit Doval sent an intelligence team on a border mission that failed to return on schedule and ended up in Chinese custody, leading him to fear for his career until an inquiry cleared him.
Ajit Doval shared these career anecdotes and motivational insights while attending the two-day convocation ceremony at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee as the chief guest.
