Swami Vivekananda's Impact On Indian Youth

The nation on Wednesday is celebrating the 148th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. An authoritative spokesman of Indian culture, Swami Vivekananda introduced the message of Indianness to the international audience. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India and helped restore a sense of pride amongst the Hindus. He taught the world that in essence all religions are true, and service to mankind is the most effective form of worship of God.

India commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary as National Youth Day. I am sure many young Indians, especially those who never forget to celebrate the Valentine’s Day on February 14, are not even aware of the significance of January 12. Hope, they would celebrate the National Youth Day with the same enthusiasm.

Swami Vivekananda’s ideas have had a great influence on Indian youth for generations. His message to the youth is still as invigorating as it was a century ago. In his words, depression, weakness, fear, selfishness and jealousy are the greatest enemies of young people. “The greatest sin is to think yourself weak. The remedy of weakness is

The day after he delivered that speech, The New York Critique wrote, "Swami Vivekananda is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them." The New York Herald wrote, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation." The speech marked the beginning of Western interest on Indian values. The world celebrates World Brotherhood Day on September 11 as a mark of respect to that model