In this lesson, Swami Vivekananda addresses the youth of the country, because he believed that the development of our country was possible only through the youth.
Swami Vivekananda was one of the architects of modern India. He had recognized that only the youth could make India modern. Therefore, he endeavoured to familiarize the youth with the disorder and the mismanaged state of affairs in the country. He tried to explain to the youth their responsibilities.
There was a time when India was a frontrunner in the fields of education, wealth, knowledge and science. However, due to foreign invaders, and the frequent bickerings between native kings, India remained backwards. Swami Vivekananda wanted to restore the lost splendour of our country. He strongly believed that India had a bright future, and it depended on the youth. With this vision, he hails the youth of India.
Among the citizens of India, there are farmers, labourers and unemployed people. The educated and uneducated alike are sitting at home, disheartened. We have to rouse them, educate them, and make them hardworking. They have to be shown the way to earn their basic needs – food, clothing and shelter. There is a lion sleeping within every Indian. Therefore, the youth have to travel to the villages and wake up these sleeping people. We must not heed our selfishness. As long as there is even one poor person in India, there will be no development. Hence, we must forget our selfishness and think about the ** of all the people of India. India is inhabited by people of different religions. We must not **** in the name of religion. We must forget differences of caste and religion, and focus on fighting for independence as one entity.
We must learn and practice values such as love, mercy, compassion and sympathy towards our fellow citizens. We must emerge from the shadow of ignorance and step towards brightness. There are many reasons for the backwardness of our country, such as – illiteracy, ignorance, laziness, envy, disappointment and jealousy among others. First and foremost, we must win over these weaknesses. We must make a firm decision to win over them. Then we must walk on the path of righteousness without any ****. Therefore, our motto must be – “Awake, arise and stop not until the goal is reached.”
India’* youth must have good moral character and conduct. They must become strong, both mentally and physically. They must serve the people of the country selflessly. Swami Vivekananda has trmed the youth as the backbone of the country.
