Call to tap youth power for development of spirituality in nation

Tirupati celebrates Sri Vivekananda Jayanthi with speeches urging youth to develop spirituality and leadership skills for nation building.

Sri Vivekananda Jayanthi was observed across Tirupati on Tuesday. Speakers at the celebrations gave a clarion call to tap and channelise the youth power for the development of spirituality in the nation.

Members of the Tirupati branch of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, led by its secretary Swamy Sukritananda, took out a procession to Vivekananda Circle in the city and paid floral tributes to the youth icon.

Swami Sukritananda recalled how Swamy Vivekananda guided the youth through his speeches and writings. “Strength is life, and weakness is death. Strength does not mean physical strength alone, but mental well-being too,” he said, quoting Swamy Vivekananda.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Director N. Satyanarayana Raju, Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic College former Principal P. Muralikrishna, and SV Agricultural College retired Principal P.V. Reddy spoke on the need to follow Vivekananda’s teachings on meditation to improve concentration and develop personality.

Earlier, children dressed in the attire of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Sarada Mata, and Swami Vivekananda took a colourful procession on the city’s arterial roads to reach the venue. The Mission Ashrama gave away prizes to the winners of the competitions held earlier.

Vivekananda Jayanthi was observed as ‘National Youth Day’ by Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS University), where the Vice-Chancellor and Director R.V. Kumar called upon the youth to derive inspiration from the youth icon to inculcate leadership skills, the art of self-empowerment and take interest in nation building.

K. Sivakumar, senior professor of nephrology, spoke on the year’s theme: Science and Technology Innovation. The medical students who excelled in public speaking, poetry, quiz and essay writing received prizes.