National Youth Day Summit Issues Clarion Call for ‘Positive Revolution’ to Tackle Youth Depression and India’s Water Crisis.

National Youth Day Summit Issues Clarion Call for ‘Positive Revolution’ to Tackle Youth Depression and India’s Water Crisis.

**NEW DELHI** — In a landmark digital summit organized to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a diverse panel of scientists, spiritual leaders, and social activists has called for a "Total Empowerment" of India’s youth to combat a rising national crisis of mental health and environmental degradation. The marathon webinar, hosted by the Ram Janaki Sansthan (RJS) Positive Broadcasting House (PBH) on January 12, established a new roadmap for a "Positive Revolution," linking the ancient spiritual manual of the Bhagavad Gita with modern environmental science and "Solution-based Journalism."

National Convenor and RJS founder Uday Kumar Manna opened the proceedings by defining the movement as a "Positive Struggle." Manna emphasized that in an era dominated by negative social media—which he termed "mental poison"—the role of positive media is to act as a "Satyagraha" for truth. He announced that the movement is transitioning into a global phase, with a formal press conference scheduled for January 19 to unveil international patrons and the launch of the sixth RJS book, *Real Success Stories*, which documents grassroots achievements across the Indian diaspora.

A high-priority segment of the summit focused on India’s burgeoning ecological security. Field biologist Dr. Dinesh Albertson linked the success of the central government’s "Skill India" and "Startup India" programs directly to environmental sustainability. "We talk about professional skills, but the most important skill for the next generation is managing our vanishing water resources," Dr. Albertson stated. He noted that the success of the nation depends on youth who are "physically strong, mentally alert, and morally right."

Dr. Albertson, whose upcoming book *Introduction to Plant Resources of India* explores the economic potential of under-explored vegetation, announced a specialized program for January 14 titled "Understanding Our Earth as a Biosphere." This initiative will address the critical depletion of groundwater and the water scarcity that plagues the nation during summer months. The program will feature Dr. G.B. Subramanian, a former advisor to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to provide a roadmap for youth-led conservation.

The spiritual foundation of the summit was established by Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji, founder of the GIEO Gita institution. In his keynote address, he reminded the audience that Swami Vivekananda’s global impact was rooted in an unbreakable "Will Power." Recounting Vivekananda’s historic defense of the Bhagavad Gita at the Chicago Parliament of Religions, Swami Gyananand noted that the scripture was presented as the foundation of all human wisdom. He introduced the central takeaway of the summit: the concept of "Daridra Narayan"—serving the Divine by serving the poor and marginalized.

"If the youth seek an addiction, let them be addicted to national pride and service," Swami Gyananand urged. He warned that the "Golden Age" of youth is often wasted on "tension and irritation," which prevents the mind from finding solutions. He advocated for a shift toward "Daridra Narayan," urging the youth to uplift the deprived rather than succumbing to the "slow poison" of substance abuse.

This spiritual vision was complemented by a searing analysis of modern education and urban living by Vyasmuni Chakabapa, Managing Trustee of Maha Amrit Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat. Speaking from the Aravalli forests, Chakabapa labeled modern schools as "factories of fear" that prioritize rote learning over the "laboratory of life." He argued that urban "flat culture" has demolished the emotional support systems once provided by joint families. "In cities, we have developed a culture where the neighbor does not know the neighbor. This isolation dries up the emotional exchange that sustains us," Chakabapa observed.

He shared poignant examples of the mental health crisis, including a medical student who fell into severe depression after a career setback, and a young cricketer who attempted suicide after losing his chance to play in the Ranji Trophy. As a remedy, Chakabapa proposed a return to nature-centric learning and "Prasad"—sanctified, healthy food—to replace the "Maggi culture" of instant, unhealthy results that he believes weakens the physical foundation of the next generation.

The responsibility of the household was highlighted by Dr. Kavita Parihar, who argued that social change must begin with both parents. She challenged the notion that only mothers are responsible for a child's values, stating that fathers must take an active role in monitoring lifestyle choices and junk food consumption. "Fathers must ensure that children are not lured by negative peer influences. We cannot blame the market if we do not provide the shield of ethics at home," she said.

The artistic community reinforced the link between physical purity and professional success. Co-organizer and folk singer Kamal Malviya, along with Dayaram Saroliya of Akashvani, warned that young artists must avoid smoking and excessive tea to preserve their "inner and outer voice." Saroliya noted that his own children, both doctors, strictly adhere to farm-fresh produce, proving that traditional living is compatible with modern professional excellence.

Dr. R.S. Misra, a Gita scholar, provided a final call to action by debunking the myth that the Bhagavad Gita is a text for the elderly. He argued that the scripture belongs on the "battlefield" of youth, where young people are fighting daily conflicts of fear and confusion. He clarified the concept of "Vikarma"—the vital knowledge of what not to do—as a necessary guide for the youngest nation on Earth.

In a series of major announcements, Uday Kumar Manna outlined the 2026 "Positive Revolution" roadmap. In addition to the January 14 Biosphere program, Manna noted that January 17 would feature a "Big Announcement" regarding the year's revolutionary goals. He also highlighted a new grassroots project involving "Public Address Systems" in local parks. Managed by Anil Kumar Maurya, this initiative will broadcast positive thinking and environmental tips directly to morning walkers to bridge the digital divide.

The summit concluded with a vote of thanks from Rekha Saroliya, who quoted the mystic poet Sant Kabir: "Eat your dry bread, drink cold water, and do not covet another's mansion." This message of contentment and simple living was framed as the ultimate spiritual solution to the greed driving environmental destruction.

As India enters its "Sakaaratmak Sankalp Varsh" (Year of Positive Resolve), the RJS PBH summit has established a cohesive platform where spiritual manual, scientific environmentalism, and grassroots journalism converge. The collective pledge of the participants remains clear: the youth of India must adopt the "Will Power" of Vivekananda to safeguard both their mental resilience and the very biosphere that sustains human life.