The National Youth Day marking Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary was observed by the Youth Red Cross of Khariar Autonomous College on Sunday.
Celebration of 50 years of Vivekananda Rock Memorial was also held. Bijaya Kumar Barik, HoD of college Odia Department was chief speaker. Prof Dr Tarun Pradhan and Prof Rajlaxmi Ratha also spoke on the occasion. The speakers deliberated on the significance of January 12 for the youths of India.
"This is the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a true luminary, who was committed to revival of Hinduism in India and enlightened the Western world about the significance of Hinduism. He ardently pursued for national integration in British India. The Government of India, to honour his contributions, declared his birthday as National Youth Day in the year 1984. The day is being celebrated since then to promote rational thinking and to draw inspirations from his works," said the speakers.
An essay competition among students was held on the occasion. Prof Sangita Netam was also present.