HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji welcomes participants to the two-day event focusing on responsibility, entrepreneurship and service for the nation.
Shatrudra Pratap had always been a passionate youth of action. So, in 2014, when he recognized that the Youth of India weren’t living up to their great potential, he decided to do something about it. With the help of leading educational institutions like IIT, IIM and NIT Students and Professors of India, he formed Youth in Action to enhance the social and political awareness of students and to help them to understand their responsibilities in the family, the community and society as a whole. In just a few, short years, his organization has introduced over 100 programs designed to activate the spirit of India’s youth, and to instill a sense of duty and participation in the areas of religion, education, society and politics.
Youth in Action Conference Highlight and Update NOW online. Inspiring story of what #youth are doing to serve their nation and be the change they want to see in the world, creating a better India for all. https://t.co/mnqtJQePOA#YouthInActionIndia #NewIndia #BeTheChange pic.twitter.com/dv9s22Ay1N
— Parmarth Niketan (@ParmarthNiketan) July 8, 2019
It was Pratap’s great passion that brought him to seek blessings from HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President and Spiritual Leader of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, who Himself is an inspiration to countless many for his exemplary example for selfless service for the welfare of all. In short order, Pratap and his organization – as well as 250 youth from over a dozen Indian states – were seated at the ashram, learning about spirituality, social responsibility and selfless service, and formulating plans to integrate these learnings into their lives.
Pujya Swamiji opened the two-day symposium by sharing, “One can recognize the wonderful power within themselves once they are connected to the Creator and then in turn all of creation. Cultivate this connection, identify your skills, your passions, and this will help you to increase your talents and abilities so that you can move forward with greater confidence to fulfill your responsibilities to your family and to contribute to our country’s advancement.”
“Bend the ego,” He suggested, “do not flourish or dwell in its lies. It is a toxin to our souls, slowly diminishing the light within us, and creating strife and stress where none needs to exist. Instead, learn to bend it and bow in surrender to Rashtra (service to the nation). This stress and strife often lead to addiction,” Pujya Swamiji cautioned, and “our youth need to pay attention to this. Do not get drunk; do not get high on drugs. Instead get intoxicated by the divine connection, with the spiritual truth of who you are. Do not destroy your life in the lies of the ego – instead build your life in the light of your true Self. Make that resolution and this pledge today here on the banks of Mother Ganga to cultivate this connection and to serve for the welfare of this nation which thinks not for some but for all. Know that pledges taken on the banks of Mother Ganga are very powerful, recognize that and it will make you stronger, and that in turn will make you great! When the Youth of India are empowered for such conscious action and service then the entire nation is driven towards a brighter future for all.”
Also participating in the conference were Urban Development Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Madan Kaushik ji, and Shri Shiv Prakash G, National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),both of whom encouraged the youth to tirelessly serve the nation and the nation’s progress. Also joining the occasion was AIIMS Rishikesh Director, Professor Dr Ravi Kantji, who encouraged teachers and parents to, “generate curiosity in our youth, starting from childhood. Without curiosity,” he suggested, “they cannot become good thinkers. And, we definitely need creative and constructive thinkers.”
Also attending Youth in Action were Dr Vinod of AIIMS Rishikesh and YIA Secretary, Himankur Chauhan.
During the conference, participants were invited to participate in the traditional water blessing ceremony, symbolizing one’s commitment to working towards clean and accessible water for all throughout the world, and were presented with Rudraksha saplings as part of Pujya Swamiji’s untiring efforts to replant trees in India and the world.
The delegates also participated in rejuvenating morning Yoga sessions on the banks of Mother Ganga with Ganga Nandiniji and had several working sessions delving deeply into the theme of their conference led by their Youth Leaders.