Every year on January 12, India celebrates National Youth Day, also known as Yuva Diwas. This significant day marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the visionary who played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. The Government of India officially declared National Youth Day in 1984, and since 1985, it has been celebrated nationwide to inspire the youth with the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda.
National Youth Day 2024: History
The decision to observe National Youth Day on Swami Vivekananda’s birthday stems from the government’s vision to inspire the youth with his ideas. Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy was seen as a guiding force for the youth, a means to create a better future for the country by instilling motivation through his life and teachings. The celebration holds immense importance in disseminating Swami Vivekananda’s ideas among the youth, awakening their potential and encouraging their efforts towards national development.
National Youth Day 2024 Celebrations
Swami Vivekananda, born on January 12, 1863, is remembered and honoured at various centres of the Ramakrishna Math, Ramakrishna Mission, and their branch centres, all in accordance with Indian cultural traditions. The commemorative celebrations encompass a variety of activities such as mangal aarti, hoom, devotional songs, meditation, religious speeches, and sandhya aarti.
National Youth Day 2024 Significance
National Youth Day is not merely a day of remembrance but a day of active participation by the youth. Schools and colleges organise parades, speeches on Swami Vivekananda, recitations, music, songs, conventions, yoga asanas, essay-writing competitions, seminars, sports, and other events.
Students actively engage in lectures and writings related to Swami Vivekananda’s ideas, aiming to inspire and motivate their peers.
Various organisations including Mission Bhartiyam in Uttar Pradesh, conduct events spanning two days for all age groups, such as the Basti Yuvo Mahotsav. These events encompass a wide range of activities promoting education, art, lifestyle, and trust among youth, inspiring their inner selves.
Swami Vivekananda’s Influence
Swami Vivekananda’s influence extends beyond his birthday celebration. He was a source of inspiration for leaders like Aurobindo Ghose, Hemchandra Ghosh, Mahatma Gandhi, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during the Indian freedom struggle.
As one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders, Swami Vivekananda emphasised the importance of education in rebuilding society. His vision of education focused on secular learning that built character and instilled human values. His ideas revolved around value-based education that could shape individuals and contribute to societal progress.
Swami Vivekananda’s extensive travels, including his period of meditation at Kanyakumari, are immortalised by landmarks like the Vivekananda Rock. His Desh Bhraman, aimed at countering disbelief in religion, instilling atam gaurav, and stressing the uniqueness of Indian culture, reflected his commitment to abolishing differences of caste and creed for the progress of the nation.
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