Every year 12 th of January is celebrated as national youth day in our country. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of great Swami Vivekananda, our very own Patriotic Saint, i.e 12th January 1863.In 1984 Govt of India decided to celebrate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day & since 1985 every year 12th January is celebrated as national youth day throughout India. On this day various debates,discussion & other activities are organized to motivate youth especially in school, colleges,etc.

Who is Swami Vivekananda?

Swami Vivekananda who is best known for his groundbreaking speech to the World’s Parliament of Religions (1983) in which he introduced Hinduism to America and called for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism. This speech given by the Indian monk in Chicago and his efforts to raise interfaith awareness are still very significant in our current Era especially when so much radicalization is prevalent.  

Born as Narendranath Dutta, his childhood name, he played a key role in introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world.

While completing his education he was a very bright student & known for his prodigious memory & the ability at speed reading giving him name Shrutidhara(a person with prodigious memory).

Gradually Narendra grew ready to renounce everything for the sake for the realization of God, and accepted Ramakrishna Paramhansa as his Guru.

On 4th July 1902 at the age of 39, Swami Vivekananda fulfilled his prophecy that he would not live forty years & died.  At 7:00 pm Vivekananda went to his room, & instructed everyone not to disturb him. Later at 9;20 p.m. he died while meditating. Cause of his death was reported as the rupture of a blood vessel in his brain possibly. According to his disciples, he attained Mahasamadhi and the rupture was due to his Brahmarandhra(an opening in the crown of head) being pierced when he attained Mahasamadhi.

 A theme is decided every year for National Youth Day celebration. This theme is decided every year by a high level committee from Ram Krishna mission. Theme for National Youth Day 2021 is  YUVAAH-‘Utsah naye bharat ka’ it means the youth bring alive the celebration of new India.

On this National Youth Day we can only hope & pray that though he is not with us but his legacy will remain with all Indians and the World always.

Happy National Youth Day.