Youth urged to foster communal harmony

District Minister T B Jayachandra said that there is a need to motivate the youth to bridge the divide between the castes and religions.

He said this while addressing the gathering at an event to mark 153rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, organised jointly by Tumkur University, district administration and Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports under the aegis of Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram, hereon Tuesday.

The government has ordered all government offices, schools and colleges to hold National Youth Week from Jan 12 to 19 as part of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti. This is being done to spur the youth brigade to foster the communal harmony, the minister said.

It is unfortunate that superstitious beliefs are being promoted in the name of castes, religions and the God. In such scenario the youth should inculcate the teachings and philosophy of Vivekananda, the minister said.

Member of Parliament S P Muddahanumegowda, speaking on the occasion, Swami Vivekananda was a role model for youths.

“Swami Vivekananda had opposed all forms of untouchability, blind beliefs and child marriage. He had immense faith in youth power and was of the belief that only youth can lead the country on a path of development,” the MP said.

Swami Veereshananda of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Ashram, speaking on the occasion, said, “It is heartening to see Vivekananda Jayanti is being celebrated at over 40,000 places in the State.”

Life ceases meaning if there is no commitment. These days, the biometric machines, which record the in and out time of employees in government and private offices, are determining out personality. It is unfortunate that lifeless equipment mirrors our education system. Therefore there is a need for a value-based education system, he said.

He attributed the rise in crime against women and children and corruption to erosion in values and ethics and called for an overhaul of education system in the country.
Swami Veereshananda further said that while Darwin propounded survival of the fittest in his theory of evolution, the Vedas and Upanishads preached evolution is the essence of life.

Earlier in the day, students of schools and colleges in the city took out a procession from Balagangadharanatha Swami Circle to Shivakumara Swami Circle.

City MLA Rafique Ahmed, ZP president Y H Huchaiah, Tumkur University Vice Chancellor Dr Rajasab, Registrar Prof D Shivalingaiah, Deputy Commissioner K P Mohan Raj, ZP CEO B R Mamatha, Dr Sanjay Nayak, C B Rangaiah and others were present.