Nagaland governor Nikhil Kumar Monday asserted that the worldwide movement of Scouts and Guides laid valuable foundations of commitment towards service to society in young boys and girls.
The governor was speaking as chief guest at Rajya Puraskar award ceremony and release of Rashtrapati award certificate to Nagaland State Bharat Scouts & Guides (NSBS&G) held at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima.
The occasion commemorates the foundation day of Bharat Scouts & Guides, also called as ‘Flag Day’. Two Scouts and eight girl Guides from the state were awarded Rashtrapati certificates while 21 Scouts and 28 Guides were conferred the state level Rajya Puraskar award.
Describing the movement founded by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 as a movement of selflessness, compassion and spirit of service to society, Nikhil Kumar said there was no better place to start one’s life with mission as that of Scouts and Guides’.
Lauding the recipients of the awards, the governor stated that they have proven their worth if they were found worthy of the recognition. He said being honoured with the Rashtrapati award spoke well of the Naga youth at the national echelons.
Exhorting young Scouts and Guides that whatever they learnt as part of the movement would prove very useful throughout their lives, the governor said they would eventually be in a position to appreciate the need of the people and society.
He stated that as they were part of a worldwide movement with a commitment to do good to others, they would one day feel proud and content when they met the needs of the society through the proficiency of their skills.
He expressed hope that young members of NSBS&G would not only take the movement forward but also rise up to the expectations of the people of Nagaland as well as of the country. The governor further stated that he would be delighted to hear about the feats and good deeds of young Naga boys and girls even when he is no longer in the state.
Minister for HTE & urban development Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, who is also the president of NSBS&G chaired the award ceremony. He expressed pride that although the Scouts and Guides movement reached Nagaland late, the state’s movement was performing well and growing from strength to strength.
Terming the movement a “worldwide education movement”, the minister said it trained students in various ways through the practice of service to God and service to the country; to inculcate good habits so as to produce good citizens; learn the art of respecting others and their fundamental values etc.
He also announced that all the schools in the state would be involved with NSBS&G by 2013. Dr. Shürhozelie called upon churches, NGOs and civil societies to spread awareness about the movement so that more students could join the movement.
Earlier, welcome speech was delivered by addl. District sessions judge/FTC Kohima and NSBS&G state commissioner (G) Nino L. Iralu. Significance of the BS&G foundation day was given by NSBS&G state commissioner and ex-MP Khyomo Lotha and Er. Vikuotuolie proposed the vote of thanks.
Rajya Puraskar awardees include 10 guides from Christian Higher Secondary School Dimapur, 3 guides and 6 scouts from Christ King Higher Secondary School Kohima, 3 guides from Little Flower Higher Secondary School Kohima, 7 guides and 4 scouts from Mezhür Higher Secondary School Kohima, 2 guides and 2 scouts from Regimental School Wokha, 2 scouts from Christian Model High School Wokha and 1 scout from GHSS Zunheboto.