Mysuru: The present generation, popularly referred to as Gen Z, possesses the same courage and strength that Swami Vivekananda saw in the youth of his time and society must create the right environment to channel that energy for nation-building, noted orator Chakravarty Sulibele said.

He was speaking at ‘Viveka Smaraka – Kruthajnata Samarpana’ programme held at the Viveka Smaraka – Amphitheatre in city yesterday.

Rejecting the notion that the younger generation is on the wrong path, Sulibele said, it was unfair to judge all of Gen Z based on a few isolated incidents. Most young people, he observed, are sincerely concerned about their education, careers, families and future.

“Swami Vivekananda reposed immense faith in the youth of his time. The same trust should be placed in today’s generation. What they need is credible leadership and proper guidance to realise their full potential,” he said.

Sulibele also urged young people to exercise caution while consuming information on social media. Blindly accepting everything shared on platforms such as Instagram or circulated online without verification was a dangerous trend, he said, stressing the importance of fact-checking, critical thinking and questioning information before accepting it as true.

Speaking on the occasion, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram’s Junior Pontiff Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji said that Viveka Smaraka should become a vibrant centre for spreading Swami Vivekananda’s teachings among the youth.

He said, the Memorial should serve as a platform for promoting personality development, self-confidence, patriotism and social responsibility. Emphasising the universal relevance of Vivekananda’s message, he said that the spiritual leader belonged to all sections of society and that his teachings continued to inspire people across the world.

Ramakrishna Mission National Secretary Swami Sarvalokanandaji, Swami Shuddidanandaji, Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Mysuru President Swami Muktidanandaji, Swami Gnanayoganandaji, Swami Sarvajayanandaji, MLA T.S. Srivatsa and others were present.