January 18, 2011
Amritapuri Campus
 

National Youth Day is observed all over India on Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary. At the Amritapuri campus this year, Chancellor Amma’s senior disciple, Br. Shubamrita Chaitanya spoke to first-year students on this occasion.
 

Using the teachings and philosophies of both Swami Vivekananda and Chancellor Amma, Shubamrita ji encouraged students to believe in themselves, serve Mother India and all of humanity.
 

“Youngsters are confused, they are going astray,” he noted. “They can’t handle the slightest pressures.”
 

Shubamrita ji cited the example of reality shows where youngsters lose confidence, feel depressed and cannot conscientiously accept judges’ comments.
 

“We have infinite strength within each one of us,” he reminded his audience. “But we are not aware. That is the greatest tragedy.”
 

To clarify his point, he narrated a small story. Once, a truck carrying goods caught fire in a remote spot. The driver called upon fire fighters to rescue the goods. By the time the fire fighting team reached the spot, half of the truck was burned. But, to everyone’s surprise, fire extinguishers were seen inside the truck.
 

“Look within one’s own self. Believe in yourself. Never think you are weak,” he reiterated.
 

Referring to Chancellor Amma’s words, he emphasized, “This is not the privilege of a few. Everyone has that power in themselves.”
 

Shubamrita ji spoke also about the power of goodness and contended that one must believe in it at a time when wickedness rules the world.
 

“The good shall survive!” he said, with a smile.
 

He reminded students that we needed to become good from within, and not just look good externally. Citing the examples of Swami Vivekananda and Chancellor Amma, he drew attention to the sacrificial lives they led.
 

Finally, speaking about the glory of India and her culture, he asked students to stop blindly imitating the West and absorb instead, the best from both cultures.
 

“You have to take the initiative to make our country stronger,” he stated. “Small efforts taken by us will add up. We have a long way to go. You must be the problem solvers rather than the problems to be solved.”
 

“Hold on to the path of dharma.”