Pic of the Week: National Youth Day: India

The Indian Government declared Swami Vivekananda’s birthday, January 12, as National Youth Day to honor the great spiritual leader, and to encourage the youth in the country.

In 1893 Vivekananda spoke at a Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, introducing the Western World to the Vendanta Philosophy. He received a two-minute standing ovation from around 7,000 people at that Parliament.

To observe National Youth Day, everyone is encouraged to learn about the life and teachings of Vivekananda. His philosophy encourages young people in particular, to be seekers of the truth and to become a driving force that changes society.

The idea is that everyone does something that is beneficial for someone who is in need, for example, many blood banks open for donations on 12th January in India.

If you’d like to find out more, look up the 5 teachings of Vivekananda which are all aimed at enlightenment.