January 2024

In the vibrant tapestry of India’s future, young people hold the needle and thread. National Youth Day isn’t just a calendar marker; it’s a vibrant canvas where “Sankalp Se Siddhi” — resolutions take form, dreams transform into deeds. Across fields, young Indians are rewriting equations – scientists delving into the mysteries of the genome, artists painting vivid narratives of social change, entrepreneurs scaling mountains of digital disruption. Yet, potential alone paints an incomplete picture.

This day demands a resolute gaze at the canvas, acknowledging the brushstrokes of hardship. Unequal access to education, the spectre of unemployment, and the weight of social barriers – these are the dark patches vying for space on the canvas. But within each challenge lies an opportunity for a bold stroke of defiance. Education must open its doors wider, embracing inclusivity and nurturing diverse talents. Skills must be honed, not just for jobs, but for building solutions to India’s complex challenges. Innovation, the fuel of progress, needs fertile ground – where disruptive ideas take root and blossom into tangible change.

National Youth Day

Young India’s voice is a symphony of dreams. From tech wizards weaving the future of industry to rural changemakers revitalizing villages, their aspirations echo across the land. But dreams unaccompanied by action remain whispers in the wind. This day is a clarion call for translating resolutions into resolute steps. The digital landscape beckons with its boundless possibilities, urging young creators to tell stories that bridge divides and spark empathy. Community engagement, the bedrock of social progress, beckons young hands to heal wounds and build bridges across social chasms.

Swami Vivekananda, a prominent Indian philosopher and spiritual leader, delivered numerous inspiring and thought-provoking quotes that continue to resonate with the youth of India. Here are some quotes specifically directed towards the Indian youth:

1. “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.”
2. “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
3. “The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.”
4. “In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.”
5. “Stand up, be bold, and take the blame on your own shoulders. Do not go about throwing mud at other; for all the faults you suffer from, you are the sole and only cause.”
6. “Strength is life, weakness is death. Expansion is life, contraction is death. Love is life, hatred is death.”
7. “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.”
8. “Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead. If you lose, you can guide.”
9. “The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.”
10. “The greatest sin is to think yourself weak.”

These quotes reflect Swami Vivekananda’s emphasis on self-confidence, inner strength, and the pursuit of a purposeful life. They continue to serve as a source of motivation and guidance for the youth in India and beyond.

National Youth Day isn’t a celebration of what is, but a pledge for what can be. It’s a canvas waiting to be splashed with ambition, innovation, and unwavering grit. Let young India wield the brush not just with passion, but with purpose. Let each stroke be a testament to their “Sankalp,” paving the way for a future where every dream finds its rightful place on the vibrant tapestry of a new India.

Let’s take an oath today … to work hard and smart to turn our dreams into reality. If every youth take such oath, then in no time we are a developed nation.

©CS SHIKHA PUBBI

Practicing Company Secretary

Shikha Pubbi & Associates (SPCS)

Disclaimer: The interpretation and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.