India marks National Youth Day on January 12th every year as a way to celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a much-revered moral and spiritual beacon. This is his 161st birth anniversary this year. The introduction of National Youth Day by the Indian government in 1984 was not only its official acknowledgment of the impact of Swami Vivekananda on the younger generation but remains so to this day.
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Ancestry And Education of Swami Vivekananda
Born as Narendra Nath Datta on January 12, 1862 in Kolkata, Swami Vivekananda displayed an overwhelming intelligence from his tender age. The period of his studies left a profound effect on his personality and intellection
- He was 8 years old when he started studying at the Metropolitan Institution in Kolkata.
- In 1877, his family settling in Raipur for a while forced him to give up his formal studies, but he persisted in learning through talks with individuals who were learned.
- Coming back to Kolkata in 1879, he took up his classes again and was very good in his exams in high school.
Higher Education and Spiritual Path
Narendra Nath did his further studies in Presidency College, Kolkata, where he was under the tutelage of philosophy, logic, and Western literature. He was inquisitive about science, literature, and, spirituality, the three aspects which later were the main object of his lectures.
Legacy and Teachings
The experience of Swami Vivekananda at the time of education was not only in academic institutions but also in spiritual awakening and self-discovery. His lessons revolve around the youth as the agents of the earth’s transformation and value-based education.
Significance of National Youth Day
National Youth Day is an occasion that rouses the youth to get the positivity of Swami Vivekananda. He was of the opinion that young people are the resource through which the nation can create a bright future and they should thus be nurtured in the discipline, hard work, self-confidence, and the like.
As we commemorate National Youth Day, the lives of young people are transformed in order to take the empowerment of other kids by Swami Vivekananda’s long-lasting guidance: “to exceed the challenges, unlock the inner potential, and contribute to the human well-being”.
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FAQs
1. Why is Swami Vivekananda’s birthday celebrated as National Youth Day?
Swami Vivekananda’s birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day to honor his contributions to empowering the youth and inspiring them to lead a life of purpose and self-confidence. The Indian government declared January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 to promote his teachings and ideals among young people.
2. What was Swami Vivekananda’s educational background?
Swami Vivekananda, born as Narendra Nath Datta, studied at Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar’s Metropolitan Institution in Kolkata and later attended Presidency College, where he excelled in philosophy, logic, and Western literature. His education, combined with his spiritual quest, shaped him into a visionary leader and thinker.
