To Celebrate Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand National Youth Day is Observed Countrywide
- The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is celebrated across India as National Youth Day, to honour one of the greatest philosophers and spiritual leaders.
- It also marks his ideas on how the young should participate in the modern world while upholding their values.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the 25th National Youth Festival today in Puducherry on the occasion.
History of National Youth Day
- The decision to celebrate Vivekananda’s birthday as National Youth Day was taken in 1984, and it was first marked on January 12, 1985.
- The government had then said that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked “could be a great source of inspiration” for the Indian youth.
National Youth Day celebration
- At the Puducherry event, to be inaugurated by PM Modi, panel discussions on four identified themes: Environment, climate and SDG led growth; tech, entrepreneurship and innovation; indigenous and ancient wisdom; and national character, and nation-building.
- The Prime Minister will also unveil chosen essays on two topics - ""Mere Sapno ka Bharat"" and ""Unsung Heroes of Indian Freedom Movement"".
- These essays have been selected from submissions by over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.
About Swami Vivekananda
- Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of 19th century mystic and yogi Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
- He founded the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order based on his guru’s teachings in Kolkata and a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Mission based on the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.
- Vivekananda is credited with contributing to a revival of modern Hinduism and inspiring nationalist consciousness during colonial rule.
- But he is best known for his famous 1893 speech where he introduced Hinduism to the Western world in Chicago.
- Swami Vivekananda died on July 4, 1902.