IMPHAL, January 12: The national youth day was observed at Manipur at Kangsang, Khuman Lampak on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vevekananda, organized by Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of Manipur.
About 300 youths from different educational institutions and youth centers took part in the function including students from the National Sports Academy.
The function was also marked by an elocution contest and the distribution of youth awards by the dignitaries. The awardees included former 2010 national awardee Ksh. Babini Devi for her social service and her contribution to self-help groups.
N. Ashok Kumar, director of youth affairs and sports, Manipur in his opening speech said that the national youth day has been observed since 1985 to remember and respect the deeds of Swami Vivekananda. He said the concept of education is not only for acquiring knowledge adding that the reach of awareness of the philosophy and teachings of Swami Vevekananda to the youths today is very less.
He said “the main objectives of the observation is to bring the youths closer to the teaching of Swami Vivekananda”
S. Prithviraj singh, Parliamentary Secretrary of Youth Affairs and Sports said, “Swami Vivekananda is an imminent personality of modern India”. Saying that the youth today can be treated as “two edged knives”, he added that the potential energy of youths can be utilized either in a good or a bad way.