National Youth Day (12 January) History, Significance, Theme and Observation

National Youth Day Quick Facts

National Youth Day Brief

Every year on 12 January, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is celebrated in India as National Youth Day. It is celebrated to remember the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the architect of modern India. International Youth Day is celebrated all over the world on 12 August. Every year in the month of January a 'Youth Week' is also organized which includes Debate competitions, Essay competitions, Painting competitions, etc.

National Youth Day History

According to the decision of the United Nations, 1985 AD was declared 'International Youth Year'. Considering its importance, the Government of India announced that since 1985, January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, should be celebrated annually across the country as National Youth Day.

National Youth Day Objective

The Thoughts, philosophy, and teachings of Swami Vivekananda are great cultural and traditional assets of India. Youth is an important part of the country which takes the country forward, that is why the youth are first chosen by the ideals and ideas of Swami Vivekananda. Therefore, to inspire and promote the honorable youth of India, it was started to celebrate National Youth Day every year.

How to celebrate National Youth Day

On this day, through Games, Seminars, Essay-writing, Competitions, Presentations, Yogasanas, Conferences, Singing, Music, Lectures, Speeches on Swami Vivekananda, parades etc. National Youth Day (Youth Day or Swami Vivekananda Birthday) is celebrated by the youth in all schools, colleges. Lectures and writings related to the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda are also done by the students to inspire the Indian youth.

National Youth Day Theme(s)

• The Theme of National Youth Day 2011 was "India First".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2012 was "Celebrating Unity in Diversity".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2013 was "Awareness of Youth Power".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2014 was "Youth for a Drug Free World".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2015 was "Young Manch and Youth for Clean, Green and Progressive India". "(Its slogan was, 'Humse Hai Nayi Aayush')".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2016 was "Indian Youth for Development, Skill and Harmony”".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2017 was "Youth for Digital India".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2018 was "Sankalp se Siddhi".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2019 was "Transforming education".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2020 was "Challenging Youth Power for Nation Building".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2021 was "Yuvaah – Utsah Naye Bharat Ka".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2022 is "It's all in the mind".
• The Theme of National Youth Day 2023 is "Viksit Yuva Viksit Bharat".

More info about National Youth Day

Why is celebrate National Youth Day?

The Thoughts, philosophy, and teachings of Swami Vivekananda are great cultural and traditional assets of India. Youth is an important part of the country which takes the country forward, that is why the youth are first chosen by the ideals and ideas of Swami Vivekananda. Therefore, to inspire and promote the honorable youth of India, it was started to celebrate National Youth Day every year.

Some Interesting Facts From The Life Of Swami Vivekananda:

1. Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 in an orthodox Hindu family in Calcutta.
2. Swami Vivekananda's childhood name was Narendra Dutt.
3. His father's name was Vishwanath Dutt and his Mother's name was Bhuvaneshwari Devi.
4. He completed his childhood education at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Institute.
5. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897.
6. Swamiji was very interested in subjects including Philosophy, Religion, History, Social science, Art, and Literature since childhood.
7. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the master of Swami Vivekananda.
8. Narendra Dutt took retirement at the age of 25 and traveled all over India on foot.
9. After taking the name of Narendra Dutt, Swami Vivekananda was born.
10. Narendra Dutt was given the name Swami Vivekananda by Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri.
11. Swami Vivekananda reached the Vishwa Hindi Parishad being held in Chicago (USA) in the year 1893 as a representative of India.
12. He Started the speech with "Mere Ameriki Bhaio aur Bahano", this sentence won the hearts of all the people sitting there.Swami Vivekananda died on 4 July 1902 at Belur Math at the age of 39.

Important Days of January Month - (National Days and International Days):