Governor greets youths
ITANAGAR, Jan 12: National Youth Day (NYD) was celebrated across the state on Sunday. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
On Saturday, Governor BD Mishra extended greetings to the youths of the state on the eve of National Youth Day, and expressed hope that the occasion would “help channelize youth power for nation-building and development.”
Commending the services of the Ramakrishna Mission order, the governor said, “Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, has played a great role in promoting education and health services, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. Many civil services officers, doctors, technocrats and public leaders of Arunachal Pradesh warmly acknowledge the contribution of Ramakrishna Mission Schools for their success.”
He exhorted the state’s youths to follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda.
“Let us tirelessly work for the welfare of the poor and needy, protect the environment, uphold the good old traditions and shun dogmatism,” he appealed.
The youth affairs directorate celebrated the day at the Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA) complex in Chimpu.
Youth Affairs Director DK Dinglow paid floral tribute to the portrait of Swami Vivekananda, in the presence of officers and staff of the directorate and the principal, teachers and students of SLSA.
The event featured various literary competitions, it said.
The VKV in Vivek Vihar here celebrated NYD in the school’s prayer hall.
Addressing the function, Arunodaya University vice-chancellor Dr VN Sharma urged students and parents to “not take only education but also take messages of swamiji and follow it throughout their life.”
He advised the students to “acquire life skills to make yourselves fit in any situation, and always pay back to society.”
He gave away copies of a ‘personality development’ book by Swami Vivekananda as a gift to the school’s Class 10 students.
WRD EE Pai Dawe spoke of Rabindranath Tagore’s view of Swami Vivekananda and said, “If you want to know about India, you have to read Swami Vivekananda.” He also spoke on the VKV’s motto of ‘Man Making, Nation Building’.
The school’s Principal, Ravindran, also spoke. The students presented a cultural programme.
In East Kameng district, NYD was celebrated at the Eklavya model residential school (EMRS) in Bana, where Sports Minister Mama Natung lauded the efforts of the VKVs in the development of Arunachal, and encouraged parents to concentrate on all-round development of their wards.
He assured the government’s support to the VKVs “in carrying out their contributory role in the development of the state.”
Lumdung RK Mission secretary, Swami Sarvagananda Maharaj, in his address said, “Human service is the highest religion,” and explained to the gathering how it was decided in 1984 to celebrate the day.
VKVAP Trust secretary Aparna Didi spoke on “the role of mother in building the society and the nation at large.” Stressing on the significance of the Samarth Bharat Parva, celebrated every year from 25 December to 12 January, “in reigniting the people,” she enumerated the action taken in the VKVs “for arising our fellow sisters and brothers.”
EMRS Principal K Amudhavalli also spoke.
Among others, VKVAP Trust joint secretary Rupesh Mathur, Wessang VKV Principal Sanjib Kar, Wessang KGBV Principal RP Dubey, parents, teachers and students attended the function. Floral tributes were paid to the portrait of Swami Vivekananda.
The students presented rope malkham, a PT display, and a cultural programme. (With input from Raj Bhavan)
