Forget two or three dimensions, the “Culture” and “Heritage” of India has got infinite dimensions and domain. One of those enriching strategic leaders, Swami Vivekananda (Originally named Narendranath Dattawas) is known for presenting Hindu spirituality to the West, an activating force in the movement to promote Vedanta philosophy (one of the six schools of Indian philosophy) in the United States and England. His ideas and spirituality were deeply influenced by Vedanta and Upanishads. He also followed and promoted his master’s teachings, named
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
About National Youth Day
On 12th January 1863, received an ever-growing and vast form of energy in the form of Swami Vivekananda, a globally recognized personality, from Kolkata, West Bengal. He represented the centralized philosophy of Hinduism on international forums; the ‘World’s Parliament of Religions’. The proposal of Hinduism as ‘Opinion’ was crucial to explain its idea to people, which Vivekananda did.
National Youth Day is celebrated every year on this day to commemorate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. This year, within four days the world is going to witness his 159th birth anniversary and 25th year of celebration of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti or National Youth Day.
History- In 1984, the government announced 12th January as Vivekananda Jayanti or National Youth Day to spread the philosophy of Swamiji, marking it as a great source of inspiration for young minds.
Significance- Swami lived for youths, worked for youths, had a thought process that is significant even after years, If we closely notice one of his philosophies– “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea”, it dismantles the ‘Startup Culture’, truth to be highlighted, which is needed in India. Startups mastered by youths, linked with their dreams, contribute to a nation. This can take India to great lengths. Unmeasurable heights. To our surprise, this is already happening! Last year (2021), India reported 26,000 startups, which could be the dream of any developing nation all over the globe. This milestone reflects that energy, which was passed by Vivekananda.
This Year- The 25th National Youth Festival is going to be held in the Union Territory, Puducherry from 12th to 16th January 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself selected the venue for the ceremony. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur decided to cut the festival short to three days from the originally planned five days.
The Prime Minister himself had chosen, festival’s tagline Saksham Yuva, Shashvath Yuva (capable youth, powerful youth). People can learn and share several things from the event, virtually. Powerful speakers from different domains are a part of this festival, who would share their experience of startups and others.
Context of The International Youth Day
It is equally important to know that International Youth Day also exists, celebrated on the 12th of August every year. Both the events may have similar ground-level importance but the functioning and themes are contrasting. The International Youth Day (IYD) has various campaigns and awareness projects to resolve global issues such as the eradication of poverty (Theme for 2016), Mental Health(2014), Youth engagement and global action(2020), etc.
Whereas, National Youth Day focuses on grass-level zones of improvement among Indian Youths, also life and ideals of Sri Aurobindo, Subramania Bharathi, and Swami Vivekananda- some great Strategic leaders of India.
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