A Brief History of Scouts and Guides

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The Scout Guide Movement is basically the Youth Movement. The program has been designed with amendments for the all-round development of the personality of the youth up to the age of twenty-five. This was also the dream and foresight of Lord Baden Powell, the founding father of the Movement.
Scouting and Guiding is a voluntary, non-political, secular, non-sectarian, uniformed youth movement. It was founded by Lord Baden Powell in England in 1907 and started in Indian in 1909. This movement was conceptualized in Intra by the founder, who had spent 10 years in this country as an army officer. It is an international organization spread over 155 countries and has a strength of 36 million members. It aims at the development of the personality of its members and trains them to serve the society.

 

There are 4 sections of members

• 1. Bunny (3-5 years)

• 2. Cub-Bulbul (6-10 years)

• 3. Scouts/ Guide (11-17 years)

• 4. Rover/Ranger (18- 25 years)

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Once a Scout/Guide is always a Scout/guide. Many famous nationalist leaders have worked for the growth of the Movement in the Pre-independent India. There were a number of Scouts/Guides organizations (prominent being the Hindustan Scouts Association, Boy Scout Association, Girl Guide Association). On the 7th November 1950, the 'Merger' took place and the BHARAT SCOUTS & GUIDES was formed. Girl Guides Association joined this organization on 15th August 1951.

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Bharat Scouts & Guides

The B.S. & G is the national organization of Scouts and Guides in India. It is a hierarchy of units, local/district/state associations. At present there are 43 state associations (Territorial - i.e. units of Indian Federation and functional viz., Nine Zones of Indian Railways, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti). There are 4 districts functioning under the direct control of NHQ (viz Muscat, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Central Tibetan schools Admn.) The Apex organization consists of the 'President of India' as the chief Patron and 'Vice-President of India' as the Patron. National Headquarters of the BS&G is housed in a multi-storeyed building (Lakshmi Mazumdar Bhavan, 16-M.G. Marg, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi-2.) The Scouts/Guides and their leaders undergo regular training and reorientation program.

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1. The National Training Centre, Pachmarhi (M.P. State).
2. National Youth complex, Gadpuri (Haryana).
3. National camping complex, New Ashok Nagar (Delhi).

 

Activities

Besides the skill development program in the local camps. scouts and Guides take part in the State, Regional events and National Jamborees. They earn badges for Learning skills. Members of the movement are involved in the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES such as sanitation drives, health campaigns, leprosy eradication, AIDS control awareness, anti-smoking and anti-drug campaign, environment education, tree plantation, traffic control, vocational training, service at fairs' and festivals, celebration of days, service at the calamity affected areas, happy family education, educational tours, national integration camps and international events.

Awards and Shields

Recognition for meritorious service and acquisition of skills is given through Advancement Badges, 'Rajya Puraskar' and 'Rashtrapati Award' and Gallantry Medals. Senior leaders receive 'SilverElephant', 'Bar - to - silver star' and 'Silver star each year'. These awards are given at the Rashtrapati Scout / Guide and Ranger/Rover rally. For excellence in community development activities 'Uprastrapati award' and 'Prime Minster Shield' are given to Scout / Guide units and Rover Crews / Ranger teams.

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Promise (Cub / Bulbul Promise)

• 1. I Promise to do my best. To do my duty to God and my Country

• 2. To keep the Cub / Bulbul law and To do a Good Turn every day

 

Scout / Guide Promise

1. On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
2. To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
3. To help other people
4. To help other people

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Law: Bunny Law

1. I shall try to be good boy / girl

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Cub / Bulbul Law

1. A Cub / Bulbul gives into the elders
2. A Cub / Bulbul is clean and courteous

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Scout / Guide Law

1. A scout / Guide is trust worthy
2. A scout / Guide is loyal
3. A scout / Guide is a friend to all and a brother / sister to every other Scout / Guide
4. A scout / Guide is courteous
5. A scout / Guide is a friend to animals and loves nature
6. A scout / Guide is disciplined and helps protect public property
7. A scout / Guide is courageous
8. A scout / Guide is thrifty
9. A scout / Guide is pure in thought, word and deed

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Motto

1. Keeping Smiling – Bunny
2. Do Your Best - Cub / Bulbul
3. Be Prepared - Scout / Guide
4. Service - Rover / Ranger

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Left Handshake

The left hand shake is a secret sign used throughout the scout Brother hood. It was originated by the founder who was offered the left hand after a battle by Zulu chief as a symbol of free man and sign of brotherhood, leaving right weapon) hand free and throwing away the shield from left hand, therefore the left hand shake is the supreme sign of trust.