Youth Must Realise Vivekananda's Dreams: Dr JP

Lok Satta Party national President Dr Jayaprakash Narayan has called upon young Indians to strive to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of Swami Vivekananda and other founders of Indian nationalism.

In a message on the eve of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda which is celebrated as National Youth Day, Dr. JP recalled that Vivekananda focused on youth as the fountainhead of the future.

In a media statement, Dr. JP said that Swami Vivekananda had been the first spiritual leader who underlined that the essence of true spiritualism lay in the emancipation of the poor, and giving opportunity to every child irrespective of its caste and religion. In a way, he laid the foundation for modern nationalism, he added.

"Swami Vivekananda gave Indians suffering under the colonial yoke a deep sense of dignity and self-respect. He reminded us that our skin color and faith are not matters of shame, and we have a lot to be proud of in our ancient unbroken history and civilization. The 5,000-year-old Indian culture has absorbed many faiths, beliefs and traditions. In the process, a great syncretic civilization unmatched in diversity, in human history, and in unparalleled harmony among various streams of thought has emerged," elucidated Dr. JP.

"We must imbibe qualities like compassion for the suffering of the disadvantaged, pride in our culture and heritage, and self-confidence that we can truly build a great nation to ensure prosperity for all, and a befitting status to India in the comity of nations."

Dr. JP will be addressing the Indian Student Parliament on 'Youth for integrity and efficiency' at the MIT school of Government, Pune, on January 12. Dr.JP will also be visiting Adele village in Pune district which elected Lok Satta candidates in six of the nine wards of the Panchayat. (INN)