National Youth Day observed across India on 12 January

12 January: National Youth Day
National Youth Day was observed across India on 12 January 2015. The day is observed annually to mark the birth anniversary of social reformer, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda.

This is the 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and his birth anniversary is being celebrated as National Youth Day in India since 1985.

The Union Government in 1984 had declared that 12 January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda will be observed as the National Youth Day.

Swami Vivekananda's lectures and writings are a source of inspiration for youth and have motivated numerous youth organisation.

His writings derive their inspiration from Indian spiritual tradition and the broad outlook of his Master Sri Ramakrishna.

All his teachings can be found in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, in nine volumes, published by Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata.

Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 as Narendra Nath Datta and regarded as a patriotic saint of India.

He was the key figure who introduced the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India.

He is best known for his inspiring speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 in which he introduced Hinduism, his words began with words, Sisters and brothers of America.

Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission and died at an early age of 39 on 4 July 1902 at Belur Math in Bengal Presidency, British India.