Swami Vivekananda B’day: Why Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary is dedicated to the youth
Swami Vivekananda was a different kind of monk in India. He explained to the world what the Sanatan Dharma of India really is and what India has given to the world in the field of religion and spirituality. But his real and major contribution was to spread awareness among the people of the country. By visiting the country and abroad, he introduced people to the greatness of India and also made Indians realize that it is a matter of pride to be an Indian. He inspired the people of the country especially the youth to recognize their inner strength and was seen as the Youth Icon of India. Seeing his work towards the youth, the country celebrates his birthday every year as National Youth Day (National Youth Day 2023). Since when is this day being celebrated The Government of India has been celebrating the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day every year since 1985. Announcing this, Sarkar had said that it is felt that Swamiji’s philosophy and the ideals for which he lived and worked can serve as a great source of inspiration for the Indian youth. Emphasis on thinking Swami ji’s messages was specially meant for the youth. He once said that whatever you think, you become. If you think you are weak, you become weak. And if you think yourself powerful then you become powerful. He also said that by seeing the highest height and seeing the highest goal, you will reach the highest. Simple but very effective The specialty of Swami Vivekananda was that his messages were very simple but effective. He used to connect his thoughts directly to the people and he used to be more relevant, especially to the youth. His message was based on caste, color, and discrimination, Used to give the inspiration to break the shackles of others. He always spoke in the language of universal brotherhood. Swamiji remains relevant in every era Whatever Swamiji used to say, his messages are useful for all time. Even today the importance of his ideals and ideas is inspirational and relevant for the youth of the country. It seems that whatever he has said is for today’s youth only. He always asked the youth to recognize their power and his sentences work to fill the youth with enthusiasm. Significance of education for the country and the country’s society Swami Vivekananda always underlined the importance of nation-building and the contribution of youth to it. He used to consider education as a medium to make people strong. He said that there is no meaning in such education that does not help people to face the struggle in life, which does not create strength of character in people. The feeling of human love could not create courage like a lion in them. Education as a Medium Education should be a medium of character building and human values, they believed so. He used to say, educate yourself, teach each one its true nature, wake up the sleeping soul and see how it wakes up. Power, respect, goodness, purity, and all that will come to life when the sleeping soul wakes up and becomes active in the conscious state. Not only the youth, but the government of India also tries to adopt Swamiji’s ideas in its programs. The aim of the government is also to ensure that whatever development works are being done in the country, they can reach all the people and all the sections of society. Slogans of the Government of India in the last few years like Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, seem to be inspired by the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda.
Highlights
- Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts are very simple and inspiring.
- He has always given utmost importance to youth power.
- He believed that only youth power can play a major role in nation-building.
Swami Vivekananda was a different kind of monk in India. He explained to the world what the Sanatan Dharma of India really is and what India has given to the world in the field of religion and spirituality. But his real and major contribution was to spread awareness among the people of the country. By visiting the country and abroad, he introduced people to the greatness of India and also made Indians realize that it is a matter of pride to be an Indian. He inspired the people of the country especially the youth to recognize their inner strength and was seen as the Youth Icon of India. Seeing his work towards the youth, the country celebrates his birthday every year as National Youth Day (National Youth Day 2023).
Since when is this day being celebrated
The Government of India has been celebrating the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day every year since 1985. Announcing this, Sarkar had said that it is felt that Swamiji’s philosophy and the ideals for which he lived and worked can serve as a great source of inspiration for the Indian youth.
Emphasis on thinking
Swami ji’s messages were specially meant for the youth. He once said that whatever you think, you become. If you think you are weak, you become weak. And if you think yourself powerful then you become powerful. He also said that see the highest height, see the highest goal, and you will reach the highest.
Simple but very effective
The specialty of Swami Vivekananda was that his messages were very simple but effective. He used to connect his thoughts directly to the people and he used to be more relevant, especially to the youth. His messages were used to inspire to break the shackles of caste, color, discrimination, etc. in society. He always spoke in the language of universal brotherhood.
Swami Vivekananda always emphasized positive thinking. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Swamiji remains relevant in every era
Whatever Swamiji used to say, his messages are useful for all time. Even today the importance of his ideals and ideas is inspirational and relevant for the youth of the country. It seems that whatever he has said is for today’s youth only. He always asked the youth to recognize their power and his sentences work to fill the youth with enthusiasm.
Significance of education for the
country and the country’s society Swami Vivekananda always underlined the importance of nation-building and the contribution of youth to it. He used to consider education as a medium to make people strong. He said that there is no meaning in such education that does not help people to face the struggle in life, which does not create strength of character in people, the sense of human love does not create courage like a lion in them.
Swami Vivekananda’s original mantra focuses on the awareness of the soul. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Education as a Medium
Education should be a medium of character building and human values, and they believed so. He used to say, educate yourself, teach each one its true nature, wake up the sleeping soul and see how it wakes up. Power, respect, goodness, purity, and all that will come to life when the sleeping soul wakes up and becomes active in the conscious state.
Not only the youth, but the government of India also tries to adopt Swamiji’s ideas in its programs. The aim of the government is also to ensure that whatever development works are being done in the country, they can reach all the people and all the sections of society. Slogans of the Government of India in the last few years like Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, seem to be inspired by the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda. But Swami Vivekananda’s attachment to the youth has always been more visible.
