Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863. In the memory of the great monk, this day every year is celebrated as National Youth Day or Yuva Diwas. Swami Vivekananda always believed in the power of the youth. National Youth Day was started with an aim to encourage and inspire the youth of the country and motivate them by the life and ideas of Swami Vivekananda.
Vivekananda believed that the youth can lead and nourish the historical culture of the country. He felt that the youth is the key to solve various problems that India is facing. “My hope of the future lies in the youths of character, intelligent, renouncing all for the service of others, and obedient – good to themselves and the country at large,” he had said.
His views hold immense importance in today’s day and age where people are becoming more and more cynical. Whether it is a criticism of the government or things that we face in day to day life, this quote by Vivekananda holds true even now: “It is very easy to point out the defects of institutions, all being more or less imperfect, but he is the real benefactor of humanity who helps the individual to overcome his imperfections under whatever institutions he may live.”
He inspired people to live for others not just for one’s own self. “My boy, when death is inevitable, is it not better to die like heroes than as stocks and stones? And what is the use of living a day or two more in this transitory world? It is better to wear out than to rust out — specially for the sake of doing the least good to others,” he said.
His speech at the first Parliament of the World’s Religions is considered is still hailed as one of his most significant contributions. His speech was a telling tale of the ancient philosophy of Hinduism but wiith logics and scientific insight. The speech made him a hero in the US.
Here are some of his views that every youngster must read:
