Retrospection in commemoration of Swami Vivekananda's Birth Day

Young India with a large digitally-enabled business network needs to build the skills and capabilities of youth necessary to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.

By Himachalam Dasaraju

It’s a matter of great pride and privilege to reminisce about Swami Vivekananda’s adage to the youth “Never say NO, never say I CANNOT, for you are infinite. All the power is within you. You can do anything”. It’s true always that the youth are having required innate energies and power to accomplish anything anywhere, what they wish. Swami Vivekananda is a real source of inspiration to the youth and he always believes that the youth is a great assetto any country. Theyouth are considered as the backbone of the country and our future relies very much on how we nurture, inspire, educate and make them skilful and knowledgeable human resources. Youth represent important roles in the process of development in key areas of the country.We should also consider the fact that youth are going to be the future leaders of our nation and hence, should focus on nurturing, educating, and empowering them.The key elements which are considered crucial for national development are a good education, skill, employment,and empowerment irrespective of gender.

National Youth Day

India is celebrating National Youth Day on the 12^th of January every year since 1985 commemoratingthe birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. It is intended to celebrate to honor the great spiritual leader and philosopher to inspire the youths of India and to transform them intomore skillful, knowledgeable,and useful human resources. The Government of India has decided in 1984 to celebrate the birthday of the great Indian Hindu monk and philosopher Swami Vivekananda on 12^th January every year as National Youth Day (YuvaDiwas) for inducing his philosophy and ideologyinto the young minds, who are the real pillars of the country. The Union Government observed that “the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideology he practiced and for which he lived could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth”. He was a great nationalist who always trusts that the youth of the country is the real human resources of the Nation and youth can play a tremendous role in nation-building. The main aim of celebrating this day is to inspire and motivate the young people of the country and help them make better citizens and skillful human resources.

Swami Vivekananda is a great source of inspiration for the youth and believes that the youth is the real strength and resource in nation-building. Further, the National Youth Day is intended to review the practical problems confronting, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of youth for their livelihood in the context of global changes and to draw special attention of the national and international community for resolving their issues.It is also meant for appreciating the contributions of young people in societal development and technological innovations. The youth’s role is more admirable in the Covid19 pandemic situation, which made the people aware of precautionary measures like social distancing, sanitization, wearing masks, and the like in both oral and social media to contain the devastating virus. 

The theme for the day:

“Transforming food Systems:Youth innovation for human and planetary health”

Transforming food systems, youth Innovation for human and planetary health is the theme for the current National youth day (on 12^th January 2022), which is throwing light on the role of youth and their involvement in the development process. The global effort towards achieving United NationsSustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)would be of futile exercise without making active and meaningful involvement of youth across the globe. No country would prosper, flourish and succeed in their efforts in achieving economic progressand attaining SDGs meant for the wellbeing of the people, without young people’s active participation and contribution.The theme reveals that the active participation of youth is very much needed to accomplish the agenda of the UN. The ever-increasing population needs to accelerate food production resources to meet future requirements of healthy food. Nevertheless, other frightening issues like poverty, shelter, health care, biodiversity, education, gender equity, climate change,and the like are major challenges ahead across the world, which can’t be solved without active youth support and involvement. Therefore, youth should be encouraged to involve in the process of developing and resolving these issues.

The integration of biodiversity in the transformation of food systems is very vital across the countries.There is a dire necessity for inclusive support mechanisms that ensure the involvement of youth to dilate collective and individual efforts to rejuvenate the planet and protect human life.As the world’s population is expected to increase by 2 billion by 2050, the mere production of a huge quantity of healthy food sustainably will not guarantee thewellbeing of humans and the planet. Furthermore, other challenges should also be addressed with the youth participation as specified in UN SDGs targeted to be achieved by 2030, such as 1). No poverty 2). Zero hunger 3).Good health and wellbeing 4). Quality Education 5).Gender Equality 6). Clean water and sanitation 7). Affordable and Clean Energy 8).Decent Work and Economic growth 9).Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure10).Reduced Inequality 11).Sustainable Cities and Communities 12).Responsible Consumption and production 13).Climate Action 14).Life below water 15).Life on Land 16). Peace and Justice Strong Institutions 17). Partnerships to achieve the goal.

The World Youth Report (WYR) of the UN which is a flagship of United Nations Development of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), focused on addressing the issues of youth development across the world. The World Youth Report (WYR) is prepared on the guidelines of the World Programme of Action for Youth and the 2030 agenda for UN SDGs. The next world youth report will be focused on the role of inclusive social policies in the betterment of the youth’s wellbeing and more so enhancing good mental health. It also focuses on the determinants of youth health, other issues of shelter, food, education, health, sanitation, environment, family, and society as well. Youth are the torchbearers of the 2030 agenda of UN SDGs, and young people across the world are involved actively and are contributing to achieving sustainable development goals. 

What is needed?

To become an asset of our country, the youth should get ground-level knowledge from parents and society. Parents should make them realize their responsibilities towards the nation by instilling good values, knowledge, and ethical behavior.

At present world is facing a lot of problems like unemployment, poverty, racism, pollution, and global warming. Youth should strive hard and focus on reducing these problems. The major hindrance to the growth of our country is illiteracy.The government should also focus on encouraging the people to utilize the existing free education system which will pave the way for the betterment of youth's life.

            The country’s economy mostly depends upon the youth’s earning. So, the government should make sure to provide ample opportunities for youth to overcome issues like unemployment, education for the poor, and also they should encourage talent. They should encourage youth in the areas of their interests like sports, politics, arts, technology, and science.

Also, “Youths are leaders of tomorrow”. They should be allowed to participate and learn what leadership is all about? They should be educated to choose the right values and adopt the right perspectives. So that, in future when they get into politics they will focus on the country’s development without any corruption and with good ethical values which in turn will make the country grow more with equal opportunities for all the people.

It’s an urgent need to make the youth people as entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship development among youth helps to enhance their capabilities and increase decision-making status in the family and society as a whole.The government of India has undertaken several programs wherein entrepreneurs are trained on all, technical, managerial and other related skills so that they may enter the industrial field confidently with risk-bearing capacity and manage their units on scientific lines.

Youth empowerment through entrepreneurship has assumed greater importance in the economic development of a developing country like India. The development of sound entrepreneurship is an index of the empowerment of people, industrial development, and the overall economic development of any country. The success of the economy mainly depends on entrepreneurial quality, competence, performance and innovations.

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902) is considered the “Youth Icon of India” who has inspired millions of young people all over the world. One of his teachers introduced him to Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa in 1981and he became great patriotic focusing on national interests. One of his famous speeches in 1983 in the parliament of world’s religions in Chicago was gained widely the name and appreciations across the world. His speeches and philosophy were recognized globally and made the people contribute considerably to the country.  He was called as "Messenger of Indian Wisdom to the Western World." after his famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.  And, as stated by the government of India, It is considered that the ideals and philosophies with which he lived could be a great source of inspiration for the youth of India.He ignited enthusiasm, inspiration, confidence, and capacity to achieve success for the betterment of the nation.He is a great philosopher and man of wisdom who believes in “VasudhaikaKutumbakam”, which means the entire world is one family. It is considered that the ideals and philosophies with which he lived could be a great source of inspiration for the youth of India.

Young India with a large digitally-enabled business network needs to build the skills and capabilities of youth necessary to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.Youth can create capabilities for growth and new solutions, then the opportunities at domestic and abroad are endless.The entrepreneurship landscape has a pivotal role in shaping young entrepreneurs and their innovation in the new technology-based global economy. The youth should be encouraged in entrepreneurial activity to empower them. The success in this endeavor ultimately depends upon the commitment, willpower, and spirit of entrepreneurship among youth. Young entrepreneurship alone would change the living conditions of the people and contribute their mite to the national development. Let us hope for fostering of young entrepreneurship further for the empowerment of youth in emerging economies in general and India in particular.

Himachalam Dasaraju

Professor of Commerce & Management

Commonwealth Visiting Fellow, UK (former) 

Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India