High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur commemorated the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre, (NSCBICC) Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on 12 January 2022. The event held in partnership with Ramakrishna Mission, Malaysia, was part of India @75- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, launched by the Government of India in March 2021 to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence.
High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, H.E B.N.Reddy presided over the event. The event began with the rendition of a Bhajan by Mrs.Varsha Kannan, Carnatic Vocal Teacher from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
High Commissioner in his welcome address reflected on the significance of celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary as National Youth Day in India. Noting that the ideals and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda were a source of great inspiration for Indian youth, he added that National Youth Day was an occasion to celebrate the achievements of youth in the country and also review the challenges that need to be addressed to make the youth a more integral part of the various facets of national development.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nisha Thayananthan, Ms. Earth Malaysia 2021 highlighted the contribution of Youth in Sustainable Development. Mr.Tharma Pillai, Advocacy Director & Co-Founder of Undi18, in his remarks elaborated on the journey of Undi18 in lowering the voting age in Malaysia and also highlighted the role of youth in nation-building. He also spoke about his experiences in India as part of the Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme organized by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India as part of India@75 celebrations. Mr. Thava Kumaran Haridas, a student from Ramakrishna Mission, Malaysia shared his insights on Swami Vivekananda’s teachings.
Swami Supriyananda, President, Ramakrishna Mission in his closing remarks spoke on the message of Swami Vivekananda for mankind and youth in particular.
The event was attended by approximately 60 select persons from different walks of life, including Members of the Malaysian Indian Congress Youth Wing, GOPIO Malaysia, Malaysian Indian Diaspora Association, Bharat Club Malaysia, members of Ramakrishna Mission, Malaysia, and members from the media.