Jammu and Kashmir: LG Manoj Sinha enhances grant-in-aid to J&K Bharat Scouts & Guides

The Lt Governor was speaking at the Jammu and Kashmir Bharat Scouts & Guides’ Rajya Puraskar AwardCeremony at Convention Centre here, where he felicitated the cadets from various schools with RajyaPuraskar Award Certificates, an official handout said. 

On the occasion, the Lt Governor announced that the J&K Bharat Scouts & Guides will get an annualGrant-in-Aid to the tune of Rs 20 lakh from now on, which is double the amount of the previous grants. 

The Lt Governor directed the Deputy Commissioners concerned to complete the process ofidentification and allotment of the land for establishing two Training Centres of J&K Bharat Scouts &Guides, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, as soon as possible. 

In order to facilitate the smooth functioning of the organization, the Education department is also beingpitched in with financial support, he added. 

During his address, the Lt Governor, who is also the Chief Patron of Jammu & Kashmir Bharat Scouts &Guides, lauded the cadets, trainers, officials and every individual associated with the Scouts and Guidesmovement for working at the forefront during COVID pandemic; in environment protectionprogrammes, Blood donation, Disaster Management etc. 

Speaking on the founding principles of Bharat Scouts & Guides, the Lt Governor observed that PanditMadan Mohan Malaviya, who was a great educationist, reformer and founder of the Banaras HinduUniversity paved the way for Indian edition of Scouts and Guides in 1918. 

At that time, Mahamana along with volunteers managed the heavy rush of people during Magh mela inPrayagraj. 

He also established Sewa Samiti society, by involving school students for selflessly serving thesociety. 

“We must take inspirations from Pandit Mohan Malaviya ji, and put our efforts towards the characterbuilding of the youth, which is the foundation of Bharat Scouts & Guides,” observed the Lt Governor. 

Growth and development of society depends more on character development of the individuals ratherthan the development of intellect, added the Lt Governor.

Bharat Scouts & Guides is keeping forward the principles of Unity in Diversity, Character building,environment protection, compassion, and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which also finds a high place in itstraining modules. 

These are the values which gave a different identity to the organization, hemaintained. 

The Lt Governor lauded the Bharat Scouts & Guides organization for imbibing the spirit ofAtmaNirbharta and selfless service in its cadets, and termed its role as important in effectiveimplementation of New Education Policy.Bharat Scouts and Guides is the best platform for developing individuality. 

It promotes competitivenesswithin, which goes a long way in knowing one-self, he added.Addressing the issues of J&K Bharat Scouts and Guides, the Lt Governor assured full support of the J&KAdministration to Bharat Scouts and Guides movement. All the genuine issues of the organization wouldbe resolved at the earliest, the Lt Governor maintained. 
In view of the ongoing “Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav” celebrations, the Lt Governor asked the J&K BharatScouts and Guides to include an awareness programme in the activities of the organization and reachout to the people with the stories of courage and sacrifice of role models like Brigadier Rajinder Singh,Maqbool Sherwani, and Mali – a female member of Gujjar Community who played a significant role insafeguarding the territorial integrity of Poonch. 

Later, the Lt Governor handed over a cheque amounting to Rs 50,000 to the organization. 

On the occasion, the Badge of Bharat Scouts & Guides was pinned to the Lt Governor. Quarterlymagazine of the organization ‘News Reporter’ was also released by the Lt Governor.Speaking on the occasion, Nasreen Khan, Administrator, Bharat Scouts & Guides, Jammu, Kashmir andLadakh, expressed gratitude towards the Lt Governor for addressing the long pending issues of theorganization. 

ID Soni, Pioneer of Scouts & Guides, highlighted the working and achievements of the organization andalso apprised the Lt Governor about various issues of Bharat Scouts & Guides. Wg Cdr, MM Joshipresented the Vote of Thanks.Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, Youth Services and Sports; Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretaryto the Government, Industries & Commerce Department; Dr. Saleem-Ur-Rehman, Director General,Youth Services and Sports; Ajay Singh Pathania, Air Officer Commanding; Anshul Garg, DeputyCommissioner Jammu; Dr. Ravi Shanker Sharma, Director School Education, Jammu; Teachers;Instructors and a large number of students from various schools attended the award ceremony