Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his 163rd birth anniversary, calling him “an eternal inspiration for youth” who continues to ignite passion and purpose in young minds.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Paying homage to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. An eternal inspiration for youth, he continues to ignite passion and purpose in young minds. We are committed to fulfilling his vision of a strong and developed India.”
Across India, leaders and states paid tribute to the visionary saint:
- Uttar Pradesh: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the National Youth Day Programme in Lucknow, emphasizing pride in India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. “Swami Vivekananda had said that the bigger the challenge, the more beautiful the victory. Be proud of your spiritual and cultural heritage, but do not deprive yourself of modern knowledge and science,” he stated.
- Madhya Pradesh: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the launch of the Yuva Shakti Mission on this occasion. “This mission aims to empower youth by ensuring 100% secondary education by 2030 and achieving 70% self-reliance among youth by 2028,” he said. Additionally, financial aid under the ‘Ladli Behnas’ scheme was disbursed from Shajapur district.
- West Bengal: Leaders from BJP and TMC, including Suvendu Adhikari and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, paid their respects to Vivekananda. BJP’s Sukanta Majumdar emphasized that India is advancing under Vivekananda’s ideals, guided by PM Modi’s leadership.
Born Narendranath Datta, Swami Vivekananda was a pivotal figure in the resurgence of Hinduism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His eloquence, deep understanding of both Eastern and Western philosophies, and belief in the power of youth inspired generations. His historic speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 remains a milestone in global recognition of Hinduism and Indian spirituality.
In honor of Swami Vivekananda’s ideals, the central government is hosting the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on January 11–12. This event aligns with the government’s focus on empowering youth. Prime Minister Modi will participate in the dialogue on January 12, further emphasizing the nation’s commitment to realizing Vivekananda’s vision of a developed India.
Swami Vivekananda’s life and teachings continue to inspire the nation, serving as a guiding light for India’s youth in their pursuit of excellence and service to the country.