Shri Narendra Modi, The Prime Minister of India in his message sent for The National Youth Convention organized by Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Memorial, Vadodara from 3 to 5 July, 2016 as a part of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Sister Nivedita, wrote – “I am sure, this convention will go a long way in inspiring the youth of India to follow the ideas and teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita and rededicate themselves to the cause of nation building.” The youth participating in the valedictory session of the Convention during their feedback expressed their feelings that they felt energized after listening to the inspiring lectures by eminent speakers and will dedicate themselves to the cause of nation-building.
The convention was inaugurated by Smt. Shubhangini Devi Gaekwad, Chancellor of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda on 3rd July at 10:30 am at Prof. C.C.Mehta auditorium, MSU campus, Vadodara. Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Minister of Education, Government of Gujarat presided over the first session and said that the books of Swami Vivekananda work like antivirus in the present scenario when there is virus of tension, depression and suicide all around. Shri Rajiv Gupta Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, presided over the valedictory session.
Eminent speakers like Major General (Retd.) Dr. G.D.Bakshi, Major General (Retd.), Shri Dilawarsingh, Director General of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Delhi, Ms. Nivedita Bhide, Vice President, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Shri Bhagyesh Jha, President of Gujarat Sahitya Academy, Management Expert Shri G. Narayana, Dr. Vikram Singh, Pro-Chancellor of Noida International University, Dr. Sunita Singh Sengupta, Faculty of Management, University of Delhi, Dr. O.P.Verma, Founder Secretary of Vivekananda Vidyapith, Raipur(Chhatisgarh), Dr. Jayesh Shah, well-known Counselor, Swami Vishwatmananda, Head of Varanasi center of Ramakrishna Math, Swami Sarvalokananda, Head of Mumbai center of Ramakrishna Math, Swami Sarvasthananda, Head of Rajkot center of Ramakrishna Math and others addressed the youth. Achievers- Ms. Bhakti Sharma, the world record holder in swimming, Ms. Saachi Soni, the Mountaineer and achiever of many awards, Ms. Mira Erda, the youngest girl of Motor sports of India and Ms. Zeal Marathe, National Bravery Awardee inspired the youth with their success stories and emphasized on the need of meditation and reading the books of Swami Vivekananda for going forward in the life full of struggles.
About 600 participants of 15 states of India enjoyed the cultural programs and drama on Swami Vivekananda. The participants also enjoyed the educational tour of Narmada Dam on 5th July.
Swami Nikhileswarananda, Head of Vadodara center of Ramakrishna Mission expressed his gratefulness to the speakers, volunteers, media and participants and requested the participants to recharge their mental battery daily by reading the books of Swami Vivekananda. The participants were gifted books of Swami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita.
