Dr. Nikhil Yadav to Lead ‘VIVEKANANDA 125’ Initiative Connecting 50 Campuses and 75 Villages
Youth-focused initiative to run from September 11, 2026, to January 12, 2028, bringing Swami Vivekananda’s ideas into dialogue with young people and communities across India
New Delhi: A youth-oriented initiative titled “VIVEKANANDA 125 — From Campus to Community” will be undertaken from September 11, 2026, to January 12, 2028, marking the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Mahasamadhi (Punyatithi). The initiative aims to take conversations around Swami Vivekananda beyond conventional commemorative programmes and connect his ideas with contemporary questions facing young Indians.
The initiative, led by Dr. Nikhil Yadav, a Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, founder of Swami Vivekananda for GenZ and Deputy Head, Vivekananda Kendra Uttar Prant, plans to engage young people across 50 educational institutions and 75 villages and communities.
The central idea is to connect campuses with communities, encouraging young people to explore questions of self-discovery, character, leadership, purpose, education, service and nation-building through the ideas of Swami Vivekananda.
50 Campuses, 75 Communities
Under Campus 50, students will be engaged through lectures, interactive discussions, reading activities, creative outreach and digital initiatives. Conversations will focus on themes such as “Know Thyself,” strength, character, leadership, purpose and responsible use of technology.
Under Community 75, the initiative will engage with village youth, students, teachers and community leaders through interactions and Youth Chaupals. The programme will also document inspiring local personalities, village stories, traditions and community achievements.
A digital community, “Swami Vivekananda for Gen Z,” will provide continued engagement through short videos, writings, reading recommendations, discussions and simple youth challenges focused on areas such as digital discipline and Surya Namaskar.
“The objective is not simply to tell young people about Swami Vivekananda, but to create opportunities for them to question, reflect, discover and contribute. We want to explore how Swamiji’s ideas of strength, character, self-belief and service can become meaningful in the lives of young Indians today,” said Dr. Nikhil Yadav.
