Bhubaneswar, Jan 13: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said that Swami Vivekananda was the foundation of nation-building and a beacon of moral values.
Addressing a programme organised on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary and National Youth Day at Utkal University, Majhi said that Swami Vivekananda was an endless source of inspiration for the country’s youth and had unwavering faith in their ability to transform India’s destiny.
He said that education, as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda, was not limited to bookish learning but focused on discipline, devotion, self-restraint, and self-confidence.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s emphasis on harmonising Western science with Vedanta philosophy.
Meanwhile, to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, lakhs of students across educational institutions in Odisha sang the national song in unison on Monday.
According to an official statement, over 16,000 educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, participated in the programme, with more than 21 lakh students taking part.
The mass singing was held simultaneously at 11 a.m. in government and private institutions across the state.
The statewide programme was jointly organised by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, the Higher Education Department, the School and Mass Education Department, and the Sports and Youth Services Department.
Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj termed the event a “historic moment” and said that the collective rendition reflected the youth’s dedication and commitment to the nation.
He also congratulated all participating institutions, students, teachers, and staff members for making the programme a success.
IANS
