On National Youth Day (12th January, marking Swami Vivekananda’s 162nd birth anniversary), Prime Minister Modi participated in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, engaging youth in nation-building.
National Youth Day: Key Highlights
- Date: Celebrated annually on 12th January to honor Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher, spiritual leader, and social reformer.
- Youth Demographics in India: Defined by the National Youth Policy 2014 as individuals aged 15–29 years, comprising 40% of the total population.
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue
- Objective: Engage youth in nation-building, inspired by the PM’s Independence Day call to involve 1 lakh youth in politics without affiliations.
- Participation:
- Includes 3,000 dynamic youth aged 15–29, selected through the Viksit Bharat Challenge (merit-based, multi-stage process).
- Thematic Areas: Presentations cover topics like:
- Technology and Innovation
- Sustainability
- Women Empowerment
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
Swami Vivekananda: A Legacy of Inspiration
Biographical Details
- Born: 12th January 1863, as Narendra Nath Datta.
- Monastic Name: Changed to Vivekananda in 1893 at the request of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri State.
- Enlightenment: Achieved deep spiritual insight at Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari after three days of meditation.
Contributions
- Philosophical:
- Spread Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga
- Advocated Neo-Vedanta, integrating Hindu spirituality with modern Western ideas.
- Spiritual:
- Promoted self-realization and the doctrine of service (Jiva is Shiva).
- Authored pathways to liberation (moksha)—Raja-yoga, Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, and Bhakti-yoga.
- Educational Revival:
- Advocated “man-making” education for character-building and self-reliance.
Core Values
- Youth: Empowerment through physical and mental strength.
- Ethics and Rationality: Bridged modern science with spirituality and rejected dogma.
- Nationalism: Built on humanism, equality, and selfless service.
- Religion: Viewed as a universal and experiential truth, devoid of superstition.
Organisations
- Ramakrishna Mission: Established in 1897 to promote service, education, and spiritual upliftment.
- Belur Math: His permanent abode established in 1899.
- International Addresses:
- 1893: Represented Hinduism at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
- 1896: Spoke at a conference of the London Hindu Association.
Swami Vivekananda’s emphasis on youth empowerment, rationality, and service continues to guide modern India, reflected in initiatives like the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue and Startup India, fostering innovation and holistic development.
