Let us begin by asking, why did the Swamiji place hopes in youth? There are two obvious reasons. One is the natural idealism of youth. Youth are not yet saddled with the weight of the difficulties of life, the disappointments, the failures. They are not yet resigned to the status quo but look at life and the world with openness, seeing possibilities rather than problems. The second reason is the tremendous energy of youth. Youth are dynamos of potential energy, ready and waiting to find fields of expression. Why in some countries have the youth turned to terrorism and destruction and mayhem? Because that tremendous energy has to go somewhere, and if it doesn’t have positive ideals to serve, and a positive channel to flow through, …show more content…
Yes, learn the sciences, learn the arts, learn from other countries, help improve the material society of India, but first know who you are. Study Vivekananda, study the history of India, study your ancient sages. Then you will know how to bring all the noise of modern civilization into a beautiful harmony, a harmony whose central melody, whose central organizing principle is spirituality. This is what India needs, and what the world wants desperately. This is of central importance, but this is not enough by itself. Where are the youth who use their knowledge to serve India, whether you live here or outside, and that will do good. But where are the youth of India who are also needed for other areas of development? Where are the young historians who are to discover the true history of India, using modern critical methods but without Western prejudices? Where are the young archaeologists who will uncover the data of India’s ancient past? Where are the Sanskritists who can rediscover the true meaning of the Vedas, as the Swami wanted? Where are the philosophers who can do more than repeat the antiquated arguments against the now silenced Nyayavadins and Mimanskas, and who can also do more