Mangaluru: National Youth Day Celebrated at Ramakrishna Math, Emphasizing Vivekananda’s Vision of Youth as Nation Builders
Mangalore: Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru, hosted a National Youth Day celebration as part of the Amrita Mahotsava celebrations of the Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mission. The event, held at the Swami Vivekananda Sabha Hall, drew participation from over 500 youths and featured prominent speakers who highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s profound understanding of youth as a transformative force for national development. 
P. Pradeep Kumar, Chairman of Karnataka Bank Limited, inaugurated the celebration and delivered a keynote address emphasizing Vivekananda’s unique perspective on youth. “Swami Vivekananda did not view youth merely as a numerical population; instead, he saw them as a powerful driving force and an inspirational force for development,” Kumar stated. He further elaborated on Vivekananda’s emphasis on character-building education and the importance of morality, humanity, and values in nation-building. Kumar urged the youth to utilize their strength to transform the nation, respect the law, and embrace lifelong learning.
Sri N. Ranganath Bhat, Honorary Secretary of the Mangaluru Canara High School Association, the chief guest, shared his personal connection to Vivekananda’s teachings. “From my childhood, the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda have influenced me in many ways. The words of Swami Vivekananda have been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life. Understanding Swami Vivekananda leads us toward a meaningful and fulfilled life,” he said.
Swami Jnananishanandaji, Associate Editor of the Prabuddha Bharata monthly magazine of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Uttarakhand, graced the occasion. Swami Jitakamanandaji, Secretary of the Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mission, provided the introductory address, setting the stage for the day’s discussions. Writer and thinker Chakravarthy Sulibele from Bengaluru also attended the program.
The celebration included special sessions and a panel discussion centered on Vivekananda’s philosophy and its relevance to contemporary youth. Swami Jnananishanandaji spoke on “Energy, Efficiency, Excellence – The Youth Formula,” while Chakravarthy Sulibele addressed “The Life of Swami Vivekananda: A Guiding Light for 21st Century Youth.”
A panel discussion on “From Learning to Leadership – The Vivekananda Way” featured Chakravarthy Sulibele; Dr. Aruna Yadava, Professor at Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru; and Prajwal Acharya, Joint Managing Director of SKF Elixer India Pvt. Ltd., Moodbidri. Ranjan Bellapadi, a volunteer of the Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mission, moderated the discussion.
The event saw participation from students representing Karnataka Polytechnic, Mangaluru, Niranjana Swamy Polytechnic, and Srinivasa College, among others. Captain Ganesh Karnik (retired Indian Army officer) welcomed the attendees, Bellal Gopinath Rao (retired Indian Army officer) delivered the vote of thanks, and Shridevi compered the program. The National Youth Day celebration served as a platform to disseminate Vivekananda’s teachings and inspire the youth to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.
