Swami Vivekananda & the Vivekananda Institute of Values (VIVA),
“Let us unlock our full potential. Let us lead extraordinary lives.”
~ By D.K.Pandita
National Youth Day is observed on January 12, in honor of Swami Vivekananda’s birthday, a revered spiritual figure in modern India. In 1984, the Indian government designated this day as National Youth Day, and since 1985, it has been celebrated annually across the nation.
This observance serves not just as a tribute; it provides a vibrant platform for youth to understand and realize their capabilities. Educational institutions significantly contribute by hosting events that delve into Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. These activities inspire students to embrace and incorporate his wisdom into their lives. As we commemorate National Youth Day each year, it is vital to understand that Swami Vivekananda perceived youth not merely as future leaders but as engaged contributors to society today.
“Education should concentrate on enriching the human mind and fostering character development, allowing individuals to stand independently” forms the foundation of the Vivekananda Institute of Values (VIVA). Awakening the inherent values dormant within students can transform them into Awakened Citizens. The Awakened Citizens Program (ACP) aims to empower students to tap into their limitless potential through a conscious embrace of values. This initiative stems from a vision of a nation populated with ‘Awakened Citizens’ who recognize their boundless capabilities and their expanded roles in the surrounding world. The program is structured to help students identify their infinite human possibilities, promoting both universal and individual growth. It encourages them to appreciate their roles, responsibilities, contributions, and connections with themselves, family, friends, and society as proactively engaged citizens. The foundation of the Awakened Citizens Program rests on Atmashraddha (Self Belief) and means of strengthening it. With a solid sense of SELF BELIEF, myriad possibilities unfold for students. Our responsibility, alongside dedicated teachers, is to foster an environment conducive to peer learning and personal exploration of these inner potentials. Through integrated Awakening Practices, students can unveil a broad spectrum of their inherent possibilities.
The one capable of instilling Atmashraddha (Self Belief) in young minds is referred to as a Guru. Let us not focus on the faults of others. Judging a person solely by their shortcomings is unfair. (For instance, we wouldn’t assess an apple tree by the flawed, overripe apples scattered on the ground. Similarly, a person’s faults do not define their character.) Remember, wickedness is a universal constant. The criminal and the transgressor are alike, regardless of whether they reside in Asia, Europe, or America; they form a distinct category. True diversity exists only among the virtuous, pure, and strong. Avoid recognizing maliciousness in others. Wickedness is a form of ignorance.
