Dimapur, January 12 (MExN): Former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president I Imkong appeals for introspection in oneself and seek the ideals of brotherhood as Indian philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda did. The Congress leader was addressing the National Youth Day held in Dimapur January 12 at Duncan Basti.
National Youth Day, which marks the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12th, 1863 as Narendranath Dutta into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family of Calcutta. Vivekananda was taught that service to man was the most effective worship of God.
“Being the great philosopher that he was, he needs no introduction as he is very well known to people of various faiths all over the world. Today, we need to re-introspect ourselves. Only when we adopt these universal ideals of love and brotherhood which Swami Vivekananda stood for, then can we live in peace and harmony with each other,” Imkong said in his address.
‘I am optimistic that his teachings will continue to inspire generations to come. It is befitting that the Government of India had declared his birthday as National Youth Day in 1984. This was done with the motto to motivate and inculcate his pious ideals to the coming generations particularly the youth.”
Although Swami Vivekananda lived a short life, he left an indelible print among the people particularly in the teachings of religious ideals, Imkong said. “In fact, he had brought about a renaissance amongst the people in religious activities and he is considered to be a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India. He is remembered as a great patriot and the first cultural ambassador to the West who managed to change the way the world viewed India.”
Even after 150 years, the Congress legislator said, the Swami’s philosophy and teachings are relevant today.
According to the former NPCC chief, India is one of the youngest nations in the world having about 53 per cent of the population below the age of 40. Today, he said, the country is looking up to the youth for leadership.
“I would appeal to the youth to rise to the occasion and take up responsibility to bring reforms in all spheres of life including the political, social and economic arenas…A four-year long programme has been chalked out by this Committee which will culminate in 2013. I would appeal to the State Government to fully implement the programmes envisaged by the National Committee and also initiate more programmes for various activities which will benefit the youth today and the State later.”
Swami Vivekananda may best be remembered for his world famous speech at the final session of the World’s Parliament of Religions on September 27, 1893 at Chicago where he envisioned that upon the banner of every religion would soon be written, “Help and not fight”, “Assimilation and not Destruction,” and “Harmony and Peace and not Dissension.”
