Ranchi celebrates National Youth Day with fervour

Ranchi: City residents marked National Youth Day, commemorating Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, with citywide celebrations emphasizing his vision of youth empowerment, spirituality, and national development.
At Vikas Bharati Bishunpur's Ranchi office, Bhaveshananda Ji of Ramakrishna Mission inaugurated a cultural festival. Ashok Bhagat, secretary of Vikas Bharati, said, "Swami Vivekananda inspires us to be good, united, and skilled individuals. His vision guides our efforts in empowering youth and uplifting rural communities."
Governor Santosh Gangwar and Union minister of state Sanjay Seth attended the celebrations. The governor quoted Vivekananda's famous words: ‘Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached', highlighting its relevance in present times.
At Ranchi Lake, also known as Vivekananda Sarovar, over 500 people gathered for a tribute organized by Vivekananda Kendra and Ramakrishna Ashram, featuring worship at Vivekananda's statue. Chirag Parmar, head of Vivekananda Kendra, Ranchi, said, "Swami Vivekananda envisioned an India driven by its youth, equipped with strength, wisdom, and values. Today, we must embody his ideals to achieve a self-reliant nation."
The programme included speeches highlighting Vivekananda's role in shaping India's global identity, with notable attendee Mahua Maji encouraging youth to set goals inspired by his teachings.
Ranchi University's NSS unit organized a seminar and speech competition, themed ‘Swami Vivekananda's Vision for a Developed India' at the School of Mass Communication. Vice-chancellor Ajit Kumar Sinha urged students to embrace Vivekananda's teachings, stating, "Goal setting is fundamental. Swami Ji's ideals reflect the importance of aligning knowledge with culture and values."
Dean (Humanities) Archana Dubey described Vivekananda as "a global identity for India", emphasizing his philosophy's relevance in building a progressive nation.
The day's events, marked by strong youth participation across venues, celebrated ideals that continue to shape India's future, reinforcing Vivekananda's enduring influence on national development and youth empowerment.