Scouts and Guides celebrate World Scout Day with Be Prepared motto

Girls in blue dresses with scarves around their necks and boys in steel-grey shirts with patch pockets — what do they have in common? A motto to be disciplined and game for any situation. Created in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell, the World Organization of the Scout Movement celebrates Founders’ Day on his birthday, February 22.

Four scouts and guides share their journey with Edugraph:

I joined Scouts in Class III. Scouting has taught me to be a team player and lead from the front, if necessary. Over the years, I have participated in several philanthropic activities like raising funds and organising food drives for the underprivileged at Paddapukur during the first wave of COVID. When the second wave hit us, we distributed over 250 food packets every day.

I had the best time at Summit Bechtel Reserve, West Virginia, during the 24th World Scout Jamboree. We met survivalist Bear Grylls, who was the global ambassador of Scouting. We spent weeks interacting and befriending scouts from across the world. After rigorous examinations and tasks, I have received Rajya Puraskar. Scouting has helped me stay calm in difficult situations and perform tasks more efficiently. Most importantly, it has made me self-sufficient.

Sunrit Panja, Class XII, Science, Garden High School

Scouts was a compulsory subject till Class VI. I loved how we were part of a team doing different group activities. I’ve attended annual camps where we were taught how to sustain ourselves in the wilderness. I’ve attended group meetings where we learned knotting, lashing and pioneering among other things. I had appeared for Rajya Puraskar in 2019. It is an overnight camp where one has to appear for exams over two days. I received the Rajya Puraskar in 2020. In the annual district competition and state competition, I’ve earned the gold medal for the First Aid category.

Our school has been consistent in taking online guide classes and conducting social service events during the pandemic like distribution of sanitary napkins and stationery to the girls of Piali Ashar Alo School, Baruipur.

— Samriddhi Guhathakurta, Class XII, Science, The BSS School

I joined the movement in Class II. My interest grew when I saw a group of Scouts marching in school. I was fascinated by the uniform and that’s what inspired me. Apart from camping, we have community services and helped students from Ekta – our institute’s evening school initiative for underprivileged children – with stationery items and books. In Class IX, we had a nature studies programme at the botanic garden.

In 2019, I took part in Dwitiya Sopan, a camp where they examined our cooking skills and communication skills with hand signals. Scouting mostly involves outdoor activities, but the ability to adapt to difficult times is one thing that helped me sail through the pandemic.

Scouting has taught me honesty and discipline. Being a Scout also gave me a sense of responsibility to bring something new to the table.

— Lakshya Kumar Jajoo, Class XII, Commerce, St. James’ School

I started Scouting five years ago. My mother was in the Guide Wing. Her uniform and the stories she would narrate inspired me.

In 2019, I joined the Rajya Puraskar Testing Camp Ganganagar STC, and I cleared the exam on my first attempt. I was supposed to receive my Rajya Puraskar in 2020 but the pandemic delayed it. In December 2021, I cleared the state-level testing for the Rashtrapati Scout Award. I am now preparing for the national-level testing camp.

I have been a part of camps, rallies on Van Mahotsav, World AIDS Day, and World Cancer Day.

During the pandemic, we distributed masks and food among underprivileged children. With the help of the corporation, we initiated sanitation of various areas and distributed pamphlets to spread awareness on COVID.

The motto of our movement is ‘Be Prepared’, which means to be ready mentally, physically and emotionally for any situation. With the skills taught, one can serve the community effectively. It made me disciplined, punctual, and confident.

— Prasham Agarwal, Class XII, Science, Techno India Group Public School, Hoogly