Vivekananda

History:

Swami Vivekananda, known in his pre-monastic life as Narendra Nath Datta, was born in an affluent family in Kolkata on 12 January 1863. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was a successful attorney with interests in a wide range of subjects, and his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was endowed with deep devotion, strong character and other qualities. 

National Youth Day:

In 1984, the Government of India declared and decided to observe the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 January, according to English calendar) as National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards. To quote from the Government of India's Communication,

''it was felt that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.''

Teachings of Swami Vivekananda:

• Religion is the manifestation of the Divinity already in man.
• Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man. 
• Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success, and above all, love.
•  It is love and love alone that I preach, and I base my teaching on the great Vedantic truth of the sameness and omnipresence of the Soul of the Universe.
• We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.

The150th birth anniversary of  Swami Vivekananda

The 150th birth anniversary of such a great personage as Swami Vivekananda needs to be celebrated in a fit and proper manner appropriate to his universally respected stature as a world teacher, thinker, leader, prophet, pathfinder and benefactor of humanity.