National Youth Day, also known as Rashtriya Yuva Diwas, is annually celebrated across India on 12th January to commemorate the birth anniversary of the social reformer, great thinker and philosopher, Swami Vivekananda. The day aims to highlight the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda.
- The theme of National Youth Day 2022 is “It’s all in the mind.”
- Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta on 12th January 1863 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- 12th January 2022 marks the observance of the 159th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Background:
i.In 1984, The Government of India has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as the National Youth Day.
ii.The first ever National Youth Day was observed on 12th January 1985.
About Swami Vivekananda:
i.Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of 19th-century mystic and yogi Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
ii.He was the founder of the Ramakrishna Math in Kolkata, West Bengal and the Ramakrishna Mission.
iii.He died on 4th July 1902 in Belur Math, West Bengal.
Puducherry Hosts 25th National Youth Festival:
On the occasion of the National Youth Day 2022, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 25th National Youth Festival in Puducherry. The virtual edition of the National Youth Festival, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs, will be held from 12th and 13th January 2022.
Logo and Mascot:
On 5th January 2022, Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan unveiled the Logo and Mascot of the 25th National Youth Festival.
Tag-line: ‘Shaksham Yuva Shashakth Yuva’ meaning Capable Youth- Forceful Youth, Able Youth- Strong Youth.
Background:
The National Youth Festival is annually organised by the Government of India in collaboration with one of the States or Union Territory(UT) from 12th to 16th January. Puducherry was chosen as the host of the 25th National Youth Festival for the year 2022.
Objective: To encourage the youths to showcase their talents in various activities to cover almost all socio-cultural aspects of life.
Key Points:
i.Following the inauguration, the National Youth Summit with a panel discussion on four identified themes: environment, climate and SDG led growth; tech, entrepreneurship and innovation; indigenous and ancient wisdom; and national character, nation-building and homegrown were held.
ii.The summit is in line with the youth-led development and motivating youngsters to solve the emerging issues and challenges.
iii.Open discussions with Olympians and Paralympians and virtual yoga sessions were also organised as a part of the festival.
About Ministry of Youth Affairs And Sports:
Union Minister– Anurag Singh Thakur (Constituency- Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh)
Minister of State– Nisith Pramanik (Constituency- Coochbehar, West Bengal)
