Dehradun/Haridwar, Sept. 20 -- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Saturday drew upon lessons from intelligence operations, mountain expeditions, and ancient epics to outline five guiding principles for the youth navigating an increasingly tech-driven world, while addressing the graduating class at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee convocation. Calling the present generation the "luckiest generation in the last 1,000 years" due to expanding global horizons and India's economic ascent, Doval, who was the chief guest, distilled his life experiences into key imperatives for personal and national growth: Recalling an intelligence mission during his early posting in Sikkim that went astray due to faulty map reading, Doval shared an insight imparted to him by an illiterate veteran Tibetan Sherpa and Intelligence Bureau colleague, Ang Dawa. The first principle of navigation, Doval said, is knowing one's exact position. "Old metaphysics said that where you are is a static point. The modern existentialist believes it is not a static point; it is a dynamic point. Every second, you are changing," Doval said, urging graduates to continuously introspect and assess their changing strengths and vulnerabilities. "If you do not know where you are, or when you miscalculate where you are... then you are in real trouble." The second rule of life's map reading, Doval said, is having clear sight of the destination. "Where you want to be is the state of becoming. If you do not know where to go, you will never be able to find out how to go," he said. He cautioned students that aspirations, relationships, and external environments will remain in constant flux, demanding grounded realism. "You have got to have that clarity. You should keep on revising it, you should keep on revisiting it, and making it totally tuned to the new realities. Be a realist," the NSA said. Speaking on transitioning from the present to the future demands decision-making, a faculty critical for leadership, Doval said that nobody knowingly makes a bad call, but outcomes often falter when decisions lack preparation. "You cannot always take the right decision, but you can take an informed decision," he told the gathering. "I am not giving you any guarantee that your informed decisions will be the right decisions, but the possibility of them becoming right is much higher. More importantly, if the informed decisions are there, even if the decision is wrong, you will be able to make it right. because you know so much about it." Illustrating the dilemma of decision-making during crises, Doval referenced the Ramayana, asking why sage Vishwamitra chose Lord Rama over Bharata when seeking protection against demons. While Bharata offered to guide the sage along a safer, longer route, Rama chose the shorter, hazardous path. "What is the quality that he possessed when he said, 'I will take you from a dangerous route, but a shorter route'? It is audacity," Doval said. "All successful people in this world, in their own way, in their own wisdom, are audacious. If you don't do it, your life is safe. You will have no big gains, you will have no big pains. But if you have to have those big gains, you have to be prepared for the big pains. Be audacious." Delivering his final mantra, the NSA cautioned that courage devoid of moral grounding is perilous. "Be audacious, but don't forget to be responsible, and never abandon your values," Doval urged. "When you abandon values and you have audacity, you become a demon. Have your values, and behave responsibly." Concluding his address, Doval, who was also conferred Honoris Causa degree for his distinguished public service by the institute, expressed confidence in the graduating engineers, reminding them that India's ongoing transformation in its Amrit Kaal relies on their contributions. "The world is yours for asking. It is waiting for you. It is waiting to be conquered". General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff said, "The progress of a nation depends greatly on the knowledge, capabilities and commitment of its young generation. Institutions such as IIT Roorkee play an important role in preparing young minds to address emerging challenges through technology, innovation and research." A total of 1,277 undergraduate students received their degrees on Saturday. Convocation 2026 is significant for IIT Roorkee as the institute is conferring 2,701 degrees, its highest-ever, to be awarded across two days....