Prahlad Singh Patel

Swami Vivekananda is the inspiration behind National Youth Day. A young man who in just 39 years of life and 14 years of public life swamped the country with a thought whose energy is still felt by the country. The generations to come will continue to feel overwhelmed by this energy.

The largest youth power in the world today is in India. Every fifth youth in the world is Indian. Due to its youth power,  India’s growth rate in the 13 major economies of the world has been in third place in the last five years. After Corona, India has emerged as a country full of possibilities in the race for development and the only youth who strengthened this possibility are those who are associated with Swami Vivekananda’s ideas and are preparing India in a leadership role on the world stage.

“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” – This mantra of Swami Vivekananda given to the youth is as effective and inspiring as it was in the days of colonialism, it is equally relevant in independent India today. Now India is ready to be a global leader. With the power of yoga and the spirit of spirituality, the youth of the country should stand impatient to give direction to the world so that they can introduce young India and Indianness to different countries of the world. Now by the third decade of the 21st century, the country has become ready to lead the world.

This lesson of Swami Vivekananda still inspires the youth – “Make a life’s aim and incorporate that idea into your life.” Think that thought over and over again. Dream it, Live it… that is the secret to being successful. “

The mantra of Swami Vivekananda for the youth is evergreen – “Until you can trust yourself, you cannot trust Allah or God.” They say that if we are not able to see God in humans and in ourselves then where can we go to find them.

Swami Vivekananda caught the world’s attention with his ideas when he represented Sanatan Dharma in the US city of Chicago in 1893. Perhaps no parallel could be drawn till date to his outstanding lecture of that time.  Swami Vivekananda’s speech was more than ‘Speech of the Century’, ‘Speech of the Millennium’ which is going to be alive in the coming times. What was there in that speech? Vishwabandhutva, Tolerance, Cooperativeness, Participation, Religion, Culture, Nation, Nationalism and the collective India-Indianness.

Swami Vivekananda played the Sanatana Dharma in the world religion Parliament. He had told the world that he is from that Hindustan which gives shelter to the persecuted people of all religions and countries. Where there are sacred memories of ruined Israel at the hands of the Roman Empire, which gave refuge to the people of Zoroastrianism. Swami Vivekananda had said that Sanatan is the motherhood of all religions of the world. Swami Vivekananda was also proud that the land of India and the Sanatani religion taught the world the lesson of tolerance and universal acceptance. It is the nature of Indian soil to accept all religions as true. We are the first laboratory and protector of secularism.

When Swami Vivekananda addressed the world religion Conference, he said ‘American brothers and sisters’, the eternal message of world brotherhood was clear. Immediately, the entire world religion parliament used that message with a loud sound. That is why the New York Herald then wrote, “Hearing him (Swami Vivekananda) seems that sending a Christian missionary to a knowledgeable nation like India is foolish. Even if he only passes through the stage, the applause starts. “

Swami Vivekananda takes forward the effort to reach the roots of Indian culture. This thinking also makes Swami Vivekananda acceptable worldwide and establishes him as the spokesperson of Sanatan Dharma, a symbol of Hindustan and Hindustani culture. His inclusive thinking is still reflected in the slogan ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ in Narendra Modi’s government.

Swami Vivekananda taught the world that it is our duty to encourage all those doing good so that they can make the dream come true and live it. This dream also gives rise to the idea of ​​the rise of Antyodaya. Until the upliftment of the least poor of the country is ensured, development is meaningless – this thinking is also born from the thought of Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda’s belief about God is close to every religion. But  Charity is also at the root of Sanatan Dharma. Charity is a way of life. It is important to connect everyone with this nature. He says, “The more we come to help and help others, the purer our heart becomes. Such people are like God. “

Swami Vivekananda combines thinking of different religions, communities, traditions and thinking. It inspires liberation from inertia. This is the reason why Swami Vivekananda has no opponent in this country. Everyone bows to the ideas of ​​Swami. In the 19th century, the spokesperson of Sanatani religion, who was called ‘Cyclonic Hindu’ due to his views, is still standing firmly on the world level with his positive thinking. Even then Swami Vivekananda’s thinking was youthful, so is it today. His thoughts were classic and will remain so forever.

(The author is Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture & Tourism Government of India)