The Indian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam yesterday organised a tree planting session at Berakas Beach to mark the National Youth Day of India and as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Seventy-five saplings were planted to mark 75 years of India’s independence.
Legislative Council member cum Brunei Youth Council President Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab joined 70 others in planting the saplings.
High Commissioner of India to Brunei Darussalam Ajaneesh Kumar thanked the MPRT for its support in enabling the high commission to organise the event, and for facilitating the Banyan tree mural painting at the Commonwealth Canopy.
The Banyan tree is the national tree of India, associated with prosperity and is considered as a wish fulfilling tree, he explained.
Touching on the importance of National Youth Day, the high commissioner said, “The India government in 1984 made the decision to celebrate the birthday of Indian philosopher and visionary Swami Vivekananda (on January 12) as the National Youth Day. He is a source of inspiration for millions of youth across the world.
“’Man is born to conquer nature and not to follow it’ – this quote by Swami Vivekananda still reverberates in the ears of every individual who wishes to overcome any difficulty with their fearless attitude.
“The teachings of Swami Vivekananda are all the more relevant in today’s world as it extolled the virtues of creative thinking and risk taking attitude of the youth for a better future. It was Swami Vivekananda who had said that ‘Take risks in your life, if you win, you can lead! If you lose, you can guide’,” Ajaneesh Kumar said.
