Telangana Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao today urged the youth not to be afraid of death, which is inevitable, but be afraid of an unlived life. Participating as chief guest at the National Youth Day celebrations held in Ramakrishna Math to mark the 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, he said that Vivekananda’s teachings are ideal to guide today’s youth to take the right path for the country.

He suggested the youth to set a goal for themselves and work toward it. There is a constant battle between hope and despair within us and young people should never get bogged down by despair,” he added.

Stating that youth in the country today are daring to dream big, the minister said that they are not satisfied with the tag of mediocrity and want to achieve more. “Close to 50 per cent of our population is just below 29 years and the huge population that India is not more seen as a hindrance to economy. We are a nation that is getting younger and we should make full use of it,” said Rama Rao.

Asking them not to get bogged down by negativity and despair, he said that the country as a whole was on the cusp of breaking into the big league in the world.

Ramakrishna Math president Swami Jnanadananda said that the values of Vivekananda were vital in this day and age. “Vivekananda was a personification of values like truthfulness, compassion, self-confidence and fearlessness. These values are very important for today’s youth, who are the backbone of our country and have to play a crucial role in the country’s development,” he added.

Director of Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence (VIHE), Swami Bodhamayananda said Swami Vivekananda was the first thinker who introduced ‘Indian culture’ to the West.