TIRUPATI: A strong patriotic spirit and solemnity marked Vivekananda Jayanti celebrations in Tirupati and elsewhere in the district. Youth and members of different organisations offered floral tributes to the Vivekananda statue installed at Ramnagar junction here, besides rededicating themselves to the values cherished by Swamy Vivekananda.

The Chittoor district unit of the Nehru Yuva Kendra has initiated a week-long festival, with each day dedicated to a distinct social cause or a theme. The celebrations would be held at seven different towns in the district.

The District Youth Services Department celebrated the day by conducting `rangoli' competitions for women and by organising lectures by experts on the life of Vivekananda and his teachings. The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch functionaries wanted the values for which he stood, to form the basis for our education

`Shed differences'

KADAPA: District Collector M.T. Krishna Babu called upon youth to shed narrow considerations of caste and religion and strive unitedly with a national spirit. In his inaugural address at the National Youth Week celebrations organised here by District Youth Welfare Department, he alleged that leaders were playing `vote bank politics' and instigating caste, religious and creed differences among youth. Youth should not entertain such thoughts and strive for nation-building, he stated.

Swamy Vivekananda dispelled foreigners' notions on Indian culture and traditions and inculcated self-confidence and moral strength among people of the country, who were fighting amongst themselves with hatred and jealousy, he said.

Sravanthi Krishna performed Kuchipudi dance, Buchibabu performed folk dance and Annamayya ballet enthralled the audience. Kabaddi, rangoli and essay writing competitions were conducted for youth. "Youth can excel in any field if they adopt the right approach and strive to achieve their ambitions," Vice-Chancellor of Yogi Vemana University A. Ramachandra Reddy said. Young intellectuals should make concerted efforts to eradicate poverty in the country, he said.

`Act with confidence'

Youth, who constituted one-third of the country's population, should act with confidence and serve as catalysts for bringing about a social change, District Collector M.T. Krishna Babu said. Youth should have an ambition and strive to achieve it, Editor of `Vendanta Kesari', Chennai, Swamy Atmashraddhananda said. Confidence in oneself and trust in others besides concerted efforts to make a mark were vital, Kadapa RDO Subramanyeswara Reddy said. Kadapa secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Swami Atmavidananda, former Editor of `Sri Ramakrishna Prabha' monthly Swami Sukruthananda, Kadapa MRO Nagaraju, R.L.N. Raju, retired DGM of BSNL, and guests A.V. Subba Reddy, K. Subba Rao, Subbarami Reddy and Tirupalaiah also participated.

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