National Youth Day

Every year on January 12th, Swami Vivekananda’s birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day. This day was named National Youth Day by the Indian government in 1984, and it has been commemorated in India every year since 1985. On January 12th, India commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India's finest leaders and proponents of youth empowerment. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa's a passionate student and a vital influence in the resurgence of Hinduism in India. Swami Vivekananda was born in Kolkata on January 12, 1863, and is regarded as one of the country's finest social leaders.

In colonial India, he fought for national integration, and his most famous speech is the one he gave in Chicago in 1893. Yuva Diwas is also observed to inspire the country's youth to strive to be better people and to live honourable lives that contribute to the country's growth.

National Youth Day in India - History

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The Government of India decided in 1984 to annually commemorate the birthday of famous Swami Vivekananda, i.e. 12 January, as National Youth Day. As per the Indian government, Swamiji’s philosophy and the principles for which he lived and worked had been a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth today.

Inspirational Quotes of Swami Vivekananda to Live By:

• “All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”

• “We are what our thoughts have made us, so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.”

• “All differences in this world are of degree and not of a kind because oneness is the secret of everything.”

• “If money helps a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better.” 

National Youth Day 2021: Significance

India is a country where young people make up one-fifth of the population. As a result, understanding the role of youth in nation-building is critical. To honour one of the greatest leaders of India, and to remember the invaluable contribution of Swami Vivekananda to the country, the National Youth Day in India is celebrated.

Providing Inspiration to the youth: Swami Vivekananda Youth Day in India aims to help inspire young people by making them aware and know about the fundamental teachings and lifestyle of Swami Vivekananda.

National Youth Day 2021: Celebrations

Several national and state-level programs, including essay competitions, yoga events, presentations, and recitations, are held on this day. Local groups and educational institutions are hosting National Youth Seminars. The majority of the clubs also hold blood donation drives to urge people to donate blood. Schools and colleges also host a variety of cultural events, such as plays and talks, with the goal of inspiring students to achieve greater success in their life.

Swami Vivekananda, also known as Narendra Nath Dutta, was a 19th-century spiritual leader who was born in Kolkata on January 12, 1863. He was a social reformer who devoted his life to ending child marriage and illiteracy, as well as spreading education to women and people from lower castes. He also strove to raise religious awareness among the populace. In 1893, during the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, he gave a world-famous address about acceptance, tolerance, and faith.

The main theme of the 2021 Festival: ‘YUVAAH – Utsah Naye Bharat Ka '' and was celebrated from 12th to 16th January which was majorly organized by the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with one of the State Governments. Also, as part of the National Youth Festival, the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) has also been organised since 2019.

The National Youth Parliament Festival Objective is to hear the youth voice falling within the age bracket of 18-25 - the ones who are allowed to vote but cannot contest in elections. It also aims to encourage the youth to engage with public issues, understand the common man’s point of view, form their opinion, and express these in an articulate manner. The first festival of the NYPF was organised from 12th January to 27th February 2019, with the theme "Be the Voice of New India and Find solutions and Contribute to Policy ''. It is organized by National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. 

This is the second NYPF festival starting in December 2020.

About Swami Vivekananda

On January 12, 1863, he was born. At the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, he met Shri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa and became his student in 1881. He introduced the Western world to the principles of Yoga and Vedanta. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda was elected to represent India at the World Parliament of Religions. Chicago hosted the event. Naren (as he was known to the public) was born in the British capital of Calcutta, at 3 Gourmohan Mukherjee Street.

Since he was a child, Swami Vivekananda had been gifted with intelligence. In the Presidency College entrance exam, he was the sole student who achieved first division grades. He was a voracious reader of religion, history, social science, art, and literature, as well as the Puranas, Vedas, and Upanishads. He brought Hindu philosophy to the West, as well as Indian heritage, culture, and philosophy. The most famous of his numerous talks is the one he gave at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. He gave a brief speech in which he represented India and Hinduism.

Swami Vivekananda received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd of 7,000 people during his introduction speech, which began with the words "Sisters and Brothers of America." On July 4, 1902, Swami Vivekananda reached Mahasamadhi. He awoke early on this day, went to Belur Math, and meditated for three hours. He walked to his room around 7 p.m., asking not to be disturbed, after taking lessons and discussing a proposed Vedic college in Ramakrishna Math.

While meditating, he died at 9:10 p.m. His death was caused by a rupture of a blood vessel in his brain. When he acquired maha samadhi, his pupils think his brahmarandhra (an aperture in the crown of his head) was penetrated, causing the rupture. On the banks of the Ganga in Belur, he was cremated on a sandalwood pyre.

In conclusion, the day, also referred to as Swami Vivekanand Jayanti, was designated as the National Youth Day in 1984. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda; the National Youth Festival is an annual gathering of youth with various activities, including competitive ones.