Railways has made a significant contribution towards the growth of Scouting and Guiding in the country, Union Minister of State for Railways, E. Ahamed, said on Tuesday.
Scouting and Guiding in the Indian Railways is of high standard and it is a matter of pride that the Railway Scouts and Guides have always risen to the occasion and done appreciable work during major accidents and disasters, Mr. Ahamed said while inaugurating the 14th Indian Railways Jamborette on Railway Grounds at Golden Rock here.
Saying society was plagued with negative values such as increasing crime rate, drug abuse, alcoholism and suicides, the Minister said the Scout and Guide movement had the answer to these evils.
“If parents could enrol their sons and daughters in the Scout and Guide movement, they can remain confident and be relaxed that their children will gain a lot of knowledge and skills that would turn them to be useful citizens, be stress-free and serve as role models.” The fact that several heads of States, noble laureates, industrialists, sports persons and astronauts had been in the Scouts and attributed their success primarily to Scout training very clearly indicates the worth of Scout movement, he said.
The fundamental principles of Scouting and Guiding, the variety and purpose of each activity, and the training content for adult leaders in the movement signify the quality, appropriateness and the depth of the movement.
Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scout movement, had conceived a scheme to keep the youth involved in a wide variety of activities enabling them to get trained in citizenship, leadership and team work, the Minister said.
Funds granted
In appreciation of the services of Scouts and Guides, the Minister announced Rs. 3 lakh for the Southern Railway State Bharat Scouts and Guides for organising the Jamborette.
Chief Mechanical Engineer, Southern Railway, Chennai, and State Chief Commissioner of Southern Railway State Bharat Scouts and Guides V. Carmelus said about 2,200 Scouts and Guides members were taking part in the Jamborette whose theme was ‘Protect Environment and Promote Peace.’
The State Commissioner / Guides Eausebious Carmelus; former Deputy Chief Commissioner / Guides and retired Financial Commissioner, Railway Board, Vijayalakshmi Viswanathan; Chief Security Commissioner, Railway Protection Force, Southern Railway, G.M.P Reddy; Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, S. Subramhanyan; Chief Workshop Manager, Golden Rock Railway Workshop, J. Digi, and senior railway officials participated in the function.
