Youth Day and Swami Vivekananda birth anniversary celebrated in Chicago

The Consulate General of India in Chicago with the support of the Swami Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago celebrated National Youth Day marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda -India’s ‘youth icon for ages’ at its premises on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
More than a hundred people attended the event including university students, young professionals, and others, a press release from the Consulate said.

The ‘solemn’ ceremony was addressed by India’s Consul General Somnath Ghosh who elaborated on the “colossal” impact of Swami Vivekananda on the youth of India in his time and then on successive generations.

Swami Ishatmananda, president of the Swami Vivekananda Society, was the keynote speaker. He spoke about how youth in foreign countries can contribute to the progress and development of India.
The event featured an Indian classical violin recital by Shreya Sahai and a song recital by Sanya Bawa accompanied by Sonali Srivastava on tabla.

The students and professionals who shared their thoughts and experience on Swami Vivekananda’s teachings included Sahana Kumar, Sanchit Kumar, Hrishikesh Saigaonkar, Jordan Brinker, Abhay Agarwal, Daksh Vermareddy, Abhay Agrawal, and Samridhi Patra.