National Youth Day 2023: History, Significance, Theme, Celebrations This Year

National Youth Day 2023: The National Youth Day is observed on January 12 to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary. Since 1985, Vivekananda’s teachings have been honoured and celebrated on the anniversary of Swamiji’s birth, which the Indian government declared to be National Youth Day in 1984.

History of National Youth Day 2023

The Indian government decided in 1984 to declare January 12 as National Youth Day in honour of the great Swami Vivekananda.

“The philosophy of Swamiji and the principles for which he lived and worked might be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth Day,” according to a statement from the Government of India.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke on January 12, 2013, at the start of the four-year Swami Vivekananda 150th birth anniversary celebrations.

Significance of National Youth Day 2023

National Youth Day is observed in India to raise awareness of and spread information about human rights. The primary goal of the event is to inspire youth and preserve Swami Vivekananda’s beliefs.

Vivekananda emphasised the value of education in creating national development. He thought that the best way to empower people is through knowledge. He placed a lot of emphasis on how useful education is for the average person.

“Arise! Awake!” is one of Swami Vivekananda’s well-known quotes among young people is to keep going until the desired result is attained.

National Youth Day 2023 Theme and Celebration

National Youth Day 2023’s theme this year is “Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat.” The theme clearly highlights the significance of creating a progressive youth population that would ultimately carry India’s achievements forward.

Many activities are conducted nationwide on National Youth Day (Rashtriya Yuva Diwas), including speeches, music performances, youth conventions, seminars, yoga asanas, presentations, essay writing contests, recitation competitions, and sporting events.

Life of Swami Vivekanand

Narendra Nath Dutta was Swami Vivekananda’s pre-monastic name. He passed away on July 4, 1902, and was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. His mother’s name was Bhuvaneshwari Devi, and his father’s name was Vishwanath Dutta.

He met Saint Ramakrishna Paramhamsa in 1881 in Dakshineshwar’s Kali Temple after being referred to him by one of his English professors. He introduced the Western World to the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga.

Vivekananda is well remembered for his speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he explained the culture of India, its significance, Hinduism, etc. with the words “Sisters and brothers of America.”