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The 12th of January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda according to the English calendar, has
been declared by the Government of India as the National Youth Day "as it was felt that the philosophy
of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the
Indian youth." The Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission have been organising various functions
in different parts of the country and all over the world to give a correct lead to the youth of
the land to translate Swamiji's lofty ideals into practice.
The late Swami Vireswaranandaji, President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, though a nonagenarian,
was very youthful in spirit and took active interest in all youth movements. We have great pleasure
in presenting here the English translation of his stirring appeal to the youth to rebuild India.
This message in Bengali was distributed as a booklet on the occasion of the first National Youth Day
celebrated on 12th January 1985 at the Belur Math, the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Order.
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The second part of the booklet carries the English version of Swami Vireswaranandaji's benedictory speech
to a gathering of more than 5,000 young men and women assembled at the Belur Math to celebrate the first
National Youth Day. Incidentally, this was is last speech before he entered into Mahasamadhion 13th
March 1985.
May the vision of Swami Vivekananda and the appeal of Swami Vireswarananda inspire us all to fulfill our duty
to the Motherland.
