NIZAMABAD: Blood donation camps, cultural programmes, distribution of fruits to patients at hospitals and competitions in sports and games marked the International Youth Day celebrations held in connection with the 154th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts on Thursday.
Participants earlier garlanded the statues and portraits of Vivekananda and observed a two minute silence in his honor. Mayor Akula Sujatha led the residents here in paying tributes to Swamiji who spread the glory of Hindu philosophy across the world with his speeches.
At an official function jointly organized by the Nehru Yuva Kendra and District Youth Welfare Department Joint Collector A. Ravinder Reddy called upon the youth to emulate the ideals of Swami Vivekananda to steer the country in the right direction.
He suggested to the youth to read Vivekananda messages to keep themselves away from the bad habits and also to make a bright future for themselves.
Swamiji’s ideals were essential to avoid the wasting of precious time and lead a happy and prosperous life, he said adding that as his messages inspired the people of entire world his birth anniversary was being celebrated as the International Youth Day, the Joint Collector said.
Among those who participated in the celebrations included former national vice-president of Indian Association of Pediatricians N. Ramchander, Red Cross Society national award winner Tota Rajashekhar, Nehru Yuva Kendra district coordinator M. Ramchander Rao, Youth Welfare Officer Muthenna and Vivekananda Society president Sai Prasad.
Volunteers donated blood at a blood donation camp organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra IRCS blood bank on the occasion.
