National Youth Day of Yuva Diwas is celebrated in India to spread the awareness of unity and perseverance among the youth of the country.
This day is observed to mark the importance and key role of the youth of a nation in its nation-building. Let’s have a look at some interesting details we have come up with, to celebrate this day:
National Youth Day History
National Youth Day or Yuva Diwas is observed annually to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Great saint of the nation “Swami Vivekananda” on January 12.
He was the great son of Maa Bharti, who spent his whole life spreading the knowledge of cultural and moral values of Sanatan Dharma or Hinduism.
In 1984, the Govt. of India decided to honor his efforts to integrate the nation and declared his birthday as National Youth Day or Yuva Diwas. India has been celebrating Yuva Diwas since January 12, 1985.
This was primarily done to inspire the youth of the nation to follow the footstep of Swami Vivekananda.
Swami ji was born as Narendranath Datta or Naren on January 12, 1863, to Vishwanath Datta and Bhubaneswari Devi in a Bengali family in Calcutta ( Modern Day Kolkata, West Bengal).
He was interested in spirituality from a young age and was fascinated by wandering Monks. He used to meditate before the deity of images of God.
He was a great disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who was a Hindu mystic and religious leader of the 19th century in Bengal.
After Ramakrishna’s death, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission or Ramakrishna Math on May 1, 1897, to carry out religious teachings, educational and philanthropic activities in India and abroad.
National Youth Day Significance
This day plays a very crucial role and it makes us remember the contribution of Swami Vivekananda in nation-building and spreading the knowledge of Sanatan dharma in India as well as abroad.
Every year, Yuva Diwas is celebrated across the nation through organizing various programs and exhibitions.
Several programs such as Youth Conventions, Seminars, music and art competitions, and youth convection are organized to make people aware of the contribution and teaching of Swamiji.
National Youth Day 2023 Theme
The theme for the National Youth Day 2023 is “Viksit Yuva, Viksit Bharat”, a skilled and knowledgable young mind can lead from the front, the theme is so thoughtful, theme for 2022 was “It’s all in the mind”, which is the major teaching of Swami Vivekananda.
Last year 25th Youth Festival was celebrated from Jan 12 to 16, conducted in four phases, which include Youth Summit, indigenous games awareness, yoga, and cultural celebration.
In 2022, 25th Youth Festival was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jan 12th in Puducherry. Due to the major rise in Covid cases, held virtually.
PM Modi’s Twitter post for Youth Day 2023:
स्वामी विवेकानंद को उनकी जयंती पर सादर नमन। उनका जीवन राष्ट्रभक्ति, आध्यात्मिकता और कर्मठता के लिए सदैव प्रेरित करता है। उनके महान विचार और आदर्श देशवासियों का मार्गदर्शन करते रहेंगे।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023
So let’s value the teaching of Swami Vivekananda and help the country in Nation-building. Wish you all a very Happy National Youth Day!!!!
