Meghalaya observes National Youth Day with fervour
SHILLONG: Shillong on Tuesday affectionately remembered Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 153rd birth anniversary which is observed as National Youth Day, which was attended by a goodly section of youths who were imparted words of wisdom from the speakers at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Institute.
On the auspicious occasion, an announcement was made of the establishment of a UGC sponsored Chair on Swami Vivekananda at the North-Eastern Hill University.
Speaking as the chief guest, P.B.O. Warjri, Chief Secretary, said, “I urge the youths to steer away from any kinds of intoxicants as alcohol deludes people making them forget the truth.”
Warjri urged the people to be honest in their day to day life which goes along with selflessness as honesty is important for upholding the truth.
The chief guest gave a brief discourse on values ranging from the need for respecting religions, honesty in daily work and selflessness among others. “We see intolerance in the world today where youths are also influenced by certain forces that sows the seed of intolerance,” he added.
He viewed that there is intolerance towards others which stems from fear and not standing on a strong foundation.
Warjri added that there is a growing need to respect other religions and inculcate the spirit if tolerance as he mentioned that tolerance comes from strength which is built on a firm foundation helping people to stay strong and fearless people.
He observed that the thought of respecting others comes from the feeling of appreciating and accepting weaknesses, for people to have an open mind and listen to others thereby inculcating the habit of tolerance.
However, he asserted that human beings indulged in violence which springs from the feeling of selfishness for the fulfillment of material or non-material desires.
“It is the mutual respect we have that brings about peace by sacrificing our priorities as peace in the world or family comes from the sense of sacrifice,” Warjri said.
The occasion was marked with cultural programmes and as part of National Youth Day, a blood donation camp was also held at the venue.
The North-Eastern Hill University organized a programme at the Conference Room, Administrative Building, to mark the occasion.
The programme included speeches by the chief guest Swami Achyuteshananda Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong, Prof. S.K. Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, NEHU and professors of the Department of Philosophy, NEHU on the ideas and teachings of Swami Vivekananda as well as display of Swami Vivekananda’s writings related to his teachings as per the illustrative activities given by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, New Delhi.