The relevance of this day can be highlighted by shedding light on the life of the monk, who passed away at an age of 39 years. Swami Vivekananda was born January 12, 1863 during the British Raj. He saw colonial oppression from close quarters when he travelled through the length and breadth of India.
The government of India back in 1984 declared January 12 as National Youth Day on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The Indian Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda was a great thinker, philosopher and a social reformer. This is the reason Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary is celebrated as National Youth Day across the nation.
The life and personality of Vivekananda is like an inspiration for all. Here are few life lessons and messages of Vivekananda which can inspire all. Swamiji's messages were vibrant and laced with intense patriotism. Swamiji also poured his heart out for the poor, saying: "I call him a traitor who, having being educated, nursed in luxury by the heart's blood of the downtrodden millions of toiling poor, never even takes a thought for them."
Rabindra Nath Tagore in his message once said: "If you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is positive and nothing negative."
Swamiji was a scholar and a great exponent of scriptures. Throughout his life, he propounded the message of Upanishads.
He used to say that the primary teaching of the Upanishads is "Abhi", that is, "Be fearless". Katha Upanishad was closest to his heart and Nachiketa was his hero. He wanted youths to attain immense self-confidence and be fearless like Nachiketa.
A person commits crime when he gets overpowered by weaknesses - at physical or psychological level.
Swamiji said: "Have faith that you are all born to do great things." Another aspect of Swamiji's personality was his universal brotherhood. Speaking at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, he said: "As the different streams mingle their water in the sea, different paths which men take, various though they appear, all lead to the same god..."
Swami Vivekananda, who was said to have the intellect of Shankaracharya and heart of Buddha, now looks into our eyes and makes us realize that his messages are much more relevant today than ever before.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tribute to Vivekananda wrote, ‘’I bow to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. Today, on National Youth Day I salute the indomitable energy and enthusiasm of our youngsters, who are the builders of New India.’’
