National Youth DayNational Youth Day

‘‘Swami Vivekananda’s birthday’Swami Vivekananda’s birthday’1212thth January January

National Youth DayNational Youth Day is  is celebrated in celebrated in India on 12  on 12 January on the birthday January on the birthday of of Swami Vivekananda. In . In 1984 the Government of 1984 the Government of India declared the day as India declared the day as the National Youth Day the National Youth Day and since 1985 the event and since 1985 the event is celebrated in India is celebrated in India every year.every year.

HistoryHistory In 1984, the Government of India declared and decided In 1984, the Government of India declared and decided

to observe the birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 to observe the birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 January, according to the English calendar) as a January, according to the English calendar) as a National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards. To National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards. To quote from the Government of India's communication, quote from the Government of India's communication, 'it was felt that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals 'it was felt that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.'of inspiration for the Indian Youth.'

On 12 January 2011, Indian Prime Minister On 12 January 2011, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told in his address at the inauguration  told in his address at the inauguration of four-year-long celebrations of Swami Vivekananda's of four-year-long celebrations of Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary150th birth anniversary

Celebration and activitiesCelebration and activities

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

Keep InspiringKeep InspiringKeep building responsible citizensKeep building responsible citizens

Promote simple and healthy life stylePromote simple and healthy life styleConserve energy and save earthConserve energy and save earth

Happy Youth Day!Happy Youth Day!