January 12: National Youth Day

The National Youth Day is observed every year on 12 January to mark the birth anniversary of social reformer, philosopher, thinker and youth icon of India Swami Vivekananda.
This year it is 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Observance of the day seeks to propagate the philosophy and the ideals of Swami Vivekananda for which he lived and worked. It will also help and act as great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Dutta on 12 January 1863 and died on 4 July 1902. He and was chief disciple of 19th century saint Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. He was one of most prominent figures of India who introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to “Western” World.
He is one of the greatest spiritual leaders and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to status of major world religion during late 19th century. He is also considered as major force in revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to concept of nationalism in colonial India.
He is best known for his speech which began, “Sisters and brothers of America …,” at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893 in which he introduced Hinduism. This speech was considered as one of his most significant contributions to world. He is also considered as source of inspiration that created a concept of nationalism in colonial India.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2018