Like previous years National Youth Day 2023, commemorating the 161st Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, was celebrated at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Shillong on 12th January 2023.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Information Technology and Electronics, was the Chief Guest and Shri B K Dey Sawian, former DGP, Govt of Meghalaya was the Guest of Honour.
The programme started with the National Anthem followed by lighting of the ceremonial lamp and opening song in Khasi entitled “Tawiar U Sohpet Bneng” presented by the students of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in his speech affirmed the necessity to celebrate Swami Vivekananda’s birthday as the National Youth Day. He said that Swami believed in the inevitability of India’s rise in the world stage and he believed in the essence, power, energy and creativity of Indian Youth. He also mentioned that we are living in a very fortunate time when present India has highest number of young workforce, ‘Young India’ literally and every young Indian irrespective of their being in Shillong or Kohima or in Jammu & Kashmir or elsewhere should reap the benefit of the opportunity opening up in every sector, owing to the fast development that is taking place now in India, which has led to India rising to occupy the place of 5th largest economy in the world etc.
Shri B K Dey Sawian in his address to the youth urged upon the youth to be responsible citizens not only of the country but also to the immediate society and environment. When the whole world is under the threat of climate change, it is upon the youth who can be the game changer.
Swami Hitakamananda, Secretary, and Divyaswarupananda, Asstt Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Shillong also addressed the youth calling upon them to draw inspiration from Swamiji’s words and take greater responsibilities in nation building being active participant in the development of their respective locality.
The program concluded with one hour long cultural programme depicting diverse cultures of North East, which was presented by the 98th Batch of Computer trainees of the institute.
400 students, volunteers and devotees took part in the celebrations beating the cold weather. A blood donation camp was also organized at VCC in collaboration with NEIGRIHMS (North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences) earlier in the morning. There were 40 willing candidates were enlisted of which 26 donated blood and 14 were deferred.
A cleaning drive was organized the previous day that is on 11th January 2023when about 150 volunteers along with teachers cleaned the adjoining area of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre.
Volunteers and performers were awarded with certificate of appreciation.
