National Youth Day 2024

History, date, significance and theme...

January 12 is observed as National Youth Day or Yuva Divas to honor the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a revered philosopher and spiritual leader in India. The nation commemorates this day with joy and enthusiasm.

Born on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Swami Vivekananda hailed from an affluent Bengali family. He was one of the eight children of Vishwanath Dutta and Bhuvaneshwari Devi.

He played a pivotal role in introducing Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.

National Youth Day celebrates Swami Vivekananda's ideas, emphasizing the importance of the Indian youth working diligently to contribute to the overall development of the country.

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE

In 1984, the Indian Government designated Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary as National Youth Day. Since then, it is celebrated annually to inspire the youth with his teachings and way of life.

Various programs are organized nationwide, including at Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission centers, to mark the occasion of National Youth Day. Schools, colleges, and educational institutions actively participate by hosting events such as debates, competitions, and seminars.

NATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL 

Maharashtra is gearing up to host the 27th National Youth Festival from January 12 to 16, with the inauguration ceremony set to be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nashik on Friday.

The National Youth Festival aims to provide a platform for youth across India to share experiences and foster unity in the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.' Approximately 7,500 youth delegates from various regions will participate in the festival in Nasik, as stated by the Prime Minister's Office.

The festival will feature diverse events, including cultural performances, indigenous sports, declamation, thematic-based presentations, a young artist camp, poster making, story writing, a youth convention, and a food festival, among other activities.

National Youth Day will be observed by various field organizations of the Department of Youth Affairs across multiple districts. Additionally, major cities will host road safety awareness events as part of the celebration.

The theme for this year's National Youth Festival is 'MYBharat-ViksitBharat@2047- By the Youth, For the Youth'.