Swami Vivekananda

In 1893, a young monk in an orange robe walked onto a stage in Chicago and looked out at a huge audience. He smiled and began, 'Sisters and brothers of America!' The whole hall stood up and clapped for almost two whole minutes.

That monk was Swami Vivekananda, and he had come from India to tell the world that all religions, in their own ways, lead to truth and love. He taught young people to stand tall, to think for themselves, and to serve others without fear.

Narendranath Datta was born in 1863 in Calcutta and became a disciple of the mystic Sri Ramakrishna. After his teacher's death he took the monk's name Swami Vivekananda and travelled across India on foot, meeting kings, workers and villagers alike.

He was moved by both the deep spirituality of India and the great poverty many people lived in.

In September 1893 he represented Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. His speech, opening with 'Sisters and brothers of America', introduced Vedanta and Yoga to the West and became one of the most famous talks of the nineteenth century.

In 1897 he founded the Ramakrishna Mission, which still runs schools, hospitals and relief work across India today. He died young, at just thirty-nine, but his energetic teachings inspired generations of Indian reformers and freedom fighters.

India celebrates his birthday, 12 January, as National Youth Day.