Ramakrishna Mission, Bhubaneswar, celebrated National Youth Day 2026 on 12 January with great enthusiasm and solemnity. The event honored the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda through a blend of public outreach and intellectual discourse.
Morning Procession
The celebrations began at 8:30 a.m. with a vibrant procession through the Old Town area, encircling the sacred premises of the Ramakrishna Math. Devotees, youths, and Mission members marched together to spread Swami Vivekananda’s inspirational message and timeless ideals throughout the local community.
Seminar: “Life and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda”
Following the procession, a formal seminar was convened at Vivekananda Hall. The sessions featured a distinguished panel of speakers who addressed approximately 400 participants.
- Inaugural Session: Swami Maheshatmananda delivered the introductory address, emphasizing the practical relevance of Swamiji’s teachings in modern society.
- Chief Guest Address: Sri Babu Singh (Hon’ble Ekamra MLA) urged the youth to draw strength from Swamiji’s vision to cultivate character, self-confidence, and a dedicated spirit of service.
- Expert Perspectives: * Prof. Dr. Ashok Kumar Mohapatra (Padma Shri awardee) and Prof. Dr. Omkarnath Mohanty (Former VC, BPUT) delivered speeches highlighting the vital role of the younger generation in nation-building.
- Smt. Sulochana Das (Hon’ble Mayor of Bhubaneswar) motivated participants to lead socially responsible lives.
- Prof. Dr. Sarat Chandra Rath emphasized the enduring contemporary significance of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy.
Hospitality and Conclusion
The Mission ensured the well-being of all attendees by providing breakfast and lunch throughout the day. To encourage further study and reflection, every participant was presented with a commemorative book on Swami Vivekananda.
The programme concluded at 3:30 p.m., leaving a profound spiritual and motivational impact on the assembled youth.
