Swami Vivekananda Jayanti: Why is National Youth Day celebrated on his birth anniversary?

To honour Swami Vivekananda, National Youth Day is celebrated every year on January 12 since 1985. It was in 1984 that the Government of India declared it.  The government felt that the philosophy of Vivekananda and his ideals are a great source of inspiration for the Indian youth. So, it was declared that his birthday will be observed as National Youth Day.

Special celebration across India

This day is of great importance in the academic calendar and schools and colleges all over the country conduct processions, speeches, recitations, youth conventions and various music, sports and essay-writing competitions.  There are many youth organisations, study circles and service projects which derive inspiration from the writings and lectures of Vivekananda.

The Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) in Kerala is all set to organise programmes at various locations from January 12 to 19 as part of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti celebrations. A two-day grand event in Uttar Pradesh is organised by Mission Bhartiyam where many activities are conducted for all age groups. It is called Basti Yuvo Mahotsav. National Youth Festival is also organised annually and includes cultural activities that are both competitive and non-competitive in nature.

Messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world

In Canada, the Vedanta Society of Toronto will also be celebrating Vivekananda Jayanti to spread the message of Vedanta as the world’s most ancient religious philosophy. It was his speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893 that made him popular as ‘Messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world’. He is said to have lived in eastern parts of USA and London for a few years.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in