Know All About National Youth Day

Know All About National Youth Day
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There are many historic leaders who have changed the course of history. One such leader is Swami Vivekananda. To honour the acts of this hero and his teachings and ideals, National Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12th of January, which also happens to be his birth date. This day is also known as Swami Vivekananda Jayanti.

As today is the National Youth Day, one might be intrigued to know about more about the its history and the significance. So, for all the youths who are wondering what a National Youth Day is here are a few facts related to this day.

A little about Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk who was born into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family of Calcutta. He was very spiritual by nature and his spirituality was nurtured by his guru, Ramakrishna Paramahansa. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the prevailing in British India.

Swami Vivekananda is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. During his life, Vivekananda had conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in England, Europe and the United States.

The Parliament of the World's Religions opened on 11 September 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago, as part of the World's Columbian Exposition. On this day, Vivekananda had represented India and Hinduism and was due was a brief speech. Initially, he had cold feet, but he bowed to Goddess Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) and began his speech with "Sisters and brothers of America!". The entire crowd of 7000 pupils was mesmerised and Vivekananda received a two-minute standing ovation. He got world fame because of his speech.

Apart from being a Spiritual leader, Vivekananda is also considered as one of the greatest Social leaders of India.

National Youth Day: History and Significance

Vivekananda was very vocal about the importance of youth in the process of nation-building. During the British rule, he focused on channelling the potential of the youths and inspired them to put up a strong defence to counter the British and seek Independence.

He wanted the youths to get out of their comfort zone and achieve anything they desire. He wanted to inspire youths to an extent that they start voicing their opinions or desires.

For unversed, Swami Vivekananda who portrayed himself as Nationalist Saint, had many features in his hat, he was well versed in religion, philosophy, Vedas, literature, Puranas, Upanishads and what not. He used to do intensive research before presenting a speech or taking any class overseas. He made sure that he has a thorough knowledge regarding that certain subject. He believed that the best weapons of winning the world are with peace and education.

So, to honour his vision, we celebrate this day as National Youth Day to motivate and remind the youths across the country.

Here are a few enlightening teachings of Swami Vivekananda

  1. Every man's true religion

“No man is born to any religion; he has a religion in his own soul.”

  1. It's all in the mind

“Whatever you think that you will be. If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong, strong you will be.”

  1. Follow the three Ps

“Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success, and above all, love.”

  1. What Vedanta calls religion

“This is the gist of all worship — to be pure and to do good to others.”

  1. End hunger and ignorance

“So long as millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them.”