Kolkata, Jan 12 (UNI) Leaders across the country paid glowing tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his 164th birth anniversary, observed as National Youth Day, recalling his timeless message to the youth, his spiritual legacy and his enduring influence on nation-building on Monday.
President of India Droupadi Murmu described Swami Vivekananda as a visionary whose ideas continue to guide humanity.
In her message, the President said, “I pay my humble tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day.”
“A timeless visionary and spiritual icon, he preached that inner strength and service to humanity were foundations of a meaningful life. He carried India’s eternal wisdom to the world,” she wrote on her official X handle.
“Swamiji instilled national pride among Indians and inspired the youth to contribute to nation building. His teachings will continue to inspire humanity,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his tribute, underlined Swami Vivekananda’s faith in the transformative power of the youth.
The Prime Minister wrote on his X handle, “Swami Vivekananda believed that youth power is the strongest foundation of nation-building. Indian youth, with their zeal and passion, can turn every resolve into reality.”
He also quoted a Sanskrit verse to highlight the strength of determination, saying, “For the resolute and valiant person who has taken a vow, the courtyard becomes the whole earth, a puddle turns into an ocean, a blade of grass equals Mount Sumeru, and even the underworld feels like solid ground.”
Paying further homage, the Prime Minister said, “My respectful homage on his birth anniversary to Swami Vivekananda, an empowering source of inspiration for India’s youth. His personality and life’s work continue to infuse fresh energy into the resolve of building a developed India.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda through a post on her X handle, extending greetings to the youth of the country.
She said, “On the occasion of the National Youth Day, which is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, I extend my warmest greetings to the patriotic young men and women of our country. Swamiji believed that the youth are the architects of a nation’s destiny.”
“Let us resolve to ‘Arise, Awake, and Stop not until the goal is reached,’” she wrote.
Elaborating on Swami Vivekananda’s influence, the Chief Minister said, “Swami Vivekananda is an inspiration for our patriotism and all social service. His ideals of love for the nation, his message of serving the poor as God (Daridra Narayan), and his teachings of unity, peace, and harmony have always inspired me.”
She added that the path of harmony among all religions shown by Swamiji remains a guiding light and expressed hope that people of Bengal, irrespective of religion or caste, would respect and love one another.
Highlighting initiatives taken by her government to honour Swami Vivekananda, Banerjee said that his ancestral home, along with two houses in Kolkata’s Bagbazar and in Darjeeling associated with Sister Nivedita, had been acquired and handed over to the Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission and are now preserved as important destinations.
She also referred to restoration work at the maternal home in Bagbazar and infrastructure development at Kamarpukur, the birthplace-centre of Sri Ramakrishna.
The Chief Minister further said that an education and cultural centre named ‘Vivek Tirtha’ is being developed in New Town, with land provided by the state government and construction being undertaken by the Ramakrishna Mission with substantial financial support from the state.
To take Swamiji’s ideals to the younger generation, Banerjee said the state observes ‘Vivek Chetana Utsav’ every year on his birth anniversary and has launched several youth-orientated schemes, including the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship.
Concluding her tribute, the Chief Minister said, “Finally, I once again offer my respectful salutations to this great soul.”
