Shantikunj volunteers, students hold march in 400 dists

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 12

Legendary spiritual orator and philosopher Swami Vivekananda was remembered here today on his 154th birth anniversary called National Youth Day.

A special programme was organised at Mritunjay auditorium at Dev Sanskriti University. Earlier, students held an awareness march in more than 400 districts of the country. A similar march was also carried out by volunteers of the Gayatri Shantikunj to generate awareness about the need for th youth to tread the path shown by Swami Vivekananda.

Spiritual ideologue of Gayatri Shantikunj Dr Pranav Pandya said Vivekananda enlightened the whole world, particularly youths.

“Swami Vivekanand was a man of great character, inner strength, confidence, knowledge and intelligence. He had spiritual awakening, which he wanted in others too, for which he travelled the length and breadth of the country and even foreign shores,” said Pandya.

He added that four mobile video-audio enabled awareness vehicles would be flagged off soon from Shantikunj and conclude in January next year at Nagpur in Maharashtra, where a mega youth convention will be organised.

“These video raths will traverse across the country and generate awareness as well as inform people about the immense contribution of Swami Vivekananda, his ideals and works,” said Pandya.

Vice-Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti University Sharadh Paridhi said Vivekanand was an expert in religion, spirituality, education and philosophy, which was evident from the fact that he stood out among a large number of participants during famous Chicago World Religion Conference in 1893.Youth cell in charge Kedar Prasad Dubey coordinated the cultural events at the occasion.

At Jagjeetpur under the aegis of Nehru Youth Centre and Sanskar Sewa Samiti, a special programme was organised. District coordinator of the Nehru Youth Centre, Dinesh Upadhyay, said Vivekanand had been inspiration and idol for youths, who made world realise of the spiritual and philosophical aspects of India.

Yogi Rajneesh, Rajiv Tumbadiya, Anita Verma and youth volunteers from Lakshar, Bahadrabad, Narsain, Khanpur, Bhagwanpur and Roorkee were also present.