World Youth Conference to be Held in West Bengal

A world youth conference will be held in West Bengal this year to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

"The history, culture and the teachings of our eminent personalities like Swami Vivekananda, poet Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore will be highlighted in the youth conference," Banerjee said.

Declaring that she will observe National Youth Day on Swami Vivekananda's birthday at Maoist-hit Jungle Mahal areas, she said, "I will observe the day with the youths at Jungle Mahal. The departments of sports, tourism and youth welfare will organize sports and give training to the youths."

"We will spread the message and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. The future leaders will emerge from among the poor and farmers," he said.

The state government will highlight the contribution of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Sister Nivedita in particular during a year-long government sponsored celebration starting on the birth anniversary of the great spiritual leader on January 12.