National Youth Day and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was celebrated in Chennai Math on 12th Jan 2022 with Prayer to Holy Trio, Vedic chanting, Tamizhthai vazhthu, followed by Bhajans by Swami Sankaratmananda.
Sequel to this, Swami Vivekananda’s Swadeshi Mantra in Tamil was read by members of Vivekananda Youth Forum and Chennai students’ Home, Mylapore.
Swami Dharmishthananda, Manager, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore welcomed the gathering and gave an account of the importance of the program.
Sri. L.S. Sathiyamurthy, District Judge, Chennai was the Chief Guest for the occasion.
Sir Sanatan Jena, Deputy Inspector General, Indian Coast Guard, Special guest, while addressing the gathering said
Swami Vivekananda is not an ordinary person. He is a National spiritualist. He only said first that the world is one family, Vasudhaiva kutumbakam, and taught Universal Brotherhood.
This was followed by Bhajans by Students of Ramakrishna Math Vivekananda Centenary Girls Higher Secondary School, at Mint.
Sri. Sathyakumar, Founder, Tycoon Academy, Chennai, addressed the students. He shared his views and experience and said the life of Swami Vivekananda is the first lesson for the youth to follow. He further said students should study not only to search for employment but to do service to society.
Students gave a speech on Swamiji both in English and Tamil.
The next programme was a Special address by Chief Guest, Sri. L.S. Sathiyamurthy, District Judge, Chennai. His talk was very inspiring for the youth to absorb the National Spirit in the veins of students and youth. He quoted some incidents from the life of Swamiji and said we have to raise ourselves and raise the Nation by following Swamiji’s speeches. He further said Sannyasis are not beggars and that they have dedicated their life to the National cause. That is why we are addressing them as “Maharaj”.
Following this, Revered Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and Adhyaksha of Ramakrishna Math, Chennai gave the benedictory address. He quoted some moral stories of Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji and advised the students to follow the path shown by Swamiji.
Swami Shashishikhananda gave vote of thanks. The program came to an end with National Anthem.
In view of the Covid situation widely prevailing, we are compelled to restrict the participants only to Registered Candidates in direct programs. Totally around 100 students from city schools and institutions along with their teachers participated. Many view the program online.
National Youth Day and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2022 was celebrated at Meyyur (sub-centre of Ramakrishna Math, Chennai) with procession and meeting. 300 youths participated in the function. Prasadam was distributed to all participants.
National Youth Day and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2022 at Vivekanandar Illam & Vivekananda Cultural Centre :
On 12 January 2022 Revered Swami Gautamananda, Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and Adhyaksha of Chennai Math garlanded Swamiji’s Statue at Vivekanandar Illam, offered flowers and performed Arati at 7.30 am.
Vivekananda Cultural Centre [VCC], Chennai commemorated the National Youth Day & Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Swami Raghunayakananda, inaugurated the session, by introducing Swami Vivekananda’s iconic words, encouraging and energizing the youth and informed the importance of 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Triumphant Return to India after addressing the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago (United States of America). He also gave a brief history of VCC.
Sri Vijay Menon emphasized the need to study the contributions of Alasinga Perumal, Sister Nivedita and Poet Subramanya Bharathiyar who were influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s clarion call for patriotism. “Stop quoting Swami Vivekananda–start practicing; Adhere to Truth; Sacrifice a little money each week and use it for a good cause” he continued. His core message was adherence to Truth while contributing to Nation building.
Vaishnavi, Anandavalli, Sanjay and Ezhilarasu read out inspiring quotations from Swami Vivekananda’s works. Swami Sathyaprabhananda ji spoke in Thamizh about the significance of the day and gave examples from Swami Vivekananda’s life to convey three important lessons: Develop self-confidence, lead life with self-respect and contribute to society and the nation through patriotism and selfless service. Most Revered Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj in his benediction address stressed upon the importance of building character, developing divinity within oneself, and manifesting that divinity in every activity–thereby contributing to the nation’s growth. Kumari Sivasri Skandaprasad sang two songs about Swami Vivekananda and provided a divine atmosphere. Swami Ishapremananda of Vivekanandar Illam presented the Vote of Thanks.
