January 12 marks the celebration of National Youth Day, which is the birth anniversary of renowned Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda. Born on January 12, 1863, Vivekananda played a crucial role in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta & Yoga to the Western world. A chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna, he played a significant role in not just reshaping the western perspective of India, but also spread knowledge on the foundation of Hinduism. He also contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint who played a major role in shaping the youth of the country. This day is thus marked as National Youth Day. Watch the video to know the history and significance of the day.
