Governor awards Rajya Puraskars to Bharat Scouts and Guides

SRINAGAR: Governor N.N. Vohra, who is Patron of the J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides (S&G), presented Rajya Puraskars to 135 Scouts and Guides, and 20 Rovers and Rangers of the State, at an Award Presentation Ceremony held at Raj Bhavan here today.

Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady; Sh. Naeem Akhtar Andrabi, Minister for Public Works and President J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides (S&G), and other dignitaries were presented Scout Scarves on the occasion.

Governor congratulated the recipients of the Awards and wished them bright careers ahead. He lauded the valuable work being done by the functionaries of the J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor stressed the Government’s responsibility to allocate adequate funds for supporting the maintenance and growth of the Scouts & Guides movement in the State and to progressively bring a much larger number of youth under its ambit.

Governor observed that he would take up with Sh. Bukhari, Education Minister, the allocation of a suitably located unused Government School building for the accommodation of Scouts and Guides Headquarters. This will boost the Scouts and Guides activities in the State.

Governor noted that there is an urgent need to enlarge and strengthen this movement, involving all government and private schools. He stressed that involvement of students in such character building activities is as essential as securing good results in the examinations.

Emphasising the vital significance of involving youth in extramural activities, Governor observed that we have failed to do this, to the disadvantage of the upcoming generation.

Governor observed that if the political system and the society want our youth to be at the forefront in every arena then establishing a peaceful environment is imperative. He wished continuing success to the Scouts and Guides movement and to all their leaders and seniors.

Sh. Naeem Akhtar Andrabi, Minister for Public Works and President, J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides, shared his experiences of being associated with Scouts and Guides movement since his school days and highlighted the importance of such activities shaping  sound minds and healthy bodies. He assured the Movement of all required help to forge ahead.

Earlier, the Governor unfolded the Scouts and Guides Flag and the Scouts and Guides presented the Prayer and the Flag Song.

The students presented scintillating cultural programme and displayed their skills in First Aid Drill on this occasion.

Ms. Roma Wani, Senior Vice-President, J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides, presented the Progress Report of the Organisation.

The Welcome Address was presented by Sh. N.A. Khan, State Chief Commissioner, J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides and Sh. G.A. Parray,  Joint Commissioner J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides presented  the Vote of Thanks.

Sh. Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, MLA , Ganderbal; Sh. Piyush Singla, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, senior functionaries of Education Department, Department of Youth Services and Sports and nearly 220 Scouts and Guides and their leaders were present at the function.