National Youth Day (India)

In today's world, National Youth Day (India) is an issue that has taken on great relevance in society. For several years now, National Youth Day (India) has become a point of interest for researchers, companies and governments, generating extensive debate about its implications and consequences. The importance of National Youth Day (India) has been reflected in various areas, from politics to technology, culture and economics. In this article, different approaches and perspectives on National Youth Day (India) will be discussed, with the aim of better understanding its impact today and in the future.

National Youth Day
Official nameNational Youth Day
Also calledVivekananda Jayanti
Observed byIndia and RKM branch centres worldwide
Liturgical colorBrowny Orange
SignificanceBirth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
Begins1985 (1985)[1]
Date12 January
Next time12 January 2026 (2026-01-12)
FrequencyAnnual
Started byGovernment of India

National Youth Day, also known as Vivekananda Jayanti, is celebrated annually on 12 January, being the birthday of a Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda. In 1984, the Government of India declared this day as National Youth Day and since 1985 the event is celebrated in India every year.[2]

History

It was a decision of the Government of India taken in 1984 to celebrate the birthday of the great Swami Vivekananda, i.e. 12 January, as National Youth Day every year. The Government said that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth Day.

Celebration and activities

Celebration of Swami Vivekananda's 156th birthday at Baranagar Ramakrishna Mission of West Bengal, India in 2019

The National Youth Day is observed all over India at schools and colleges, with processions, speeches, music, youth conventions, seminars, yogasanas, presentations, competitions in essay-writing, recitations and sports on 12 January every year.[3] Swami Vivekananda's lectures and writings, deriving their inspiration from Indian spiritual tradition and the broad outlook of his Master Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. These were the source of inspiration and have motivated numerous youth organizations, study circles and service projects involving the youth.[4]

Swami Vivekananda's birthday (12 January 1863), according to the Indian Almanac (Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac) is on Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi, which falls on different dates in the English Calendar every year (generally in the month of January). This is observed in various centres of Ramakrishna Math and Mission in a traditional Hindu manner which includes mangal arati (a kind of worship practised in India, especially by Hindu people), special worship, homa (fire-ritual), meditation, devotional songs, religious discourses and sandhya-arati (vesper service at evenings). [citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "National Youth Day" (PDF). odisha.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Know Vivekananda on National Youth Day 2022". SA News Channel. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ^ "National Youth Day 2022: Date, Theme, History- Know why is it celebrated on January 12th". Jagranjosh.com. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "National Youth Day, India" (PDF). National Youth Day. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
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