Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Mar 5: The Union Territory of Ladakh has officially launched the State Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides in a ceremony held at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat. The event featured the presentation of appointment warrants and honorific patta to the newly appointed office bearers, alongside the administration of the Scout Guide Promise administered by Lieutenant Governor Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd). First Lady Neelam Mishra, Chief National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) Dr KK Khandelwal, and other officials from both the UT Ladakh and BSG were in attendance.
Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra serves as the Chief Patron and President of the UT Ladakh State Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal assumes the role of Patron, while Principal Secretary Sanjiv Khirwar takes on the position of Vice-Patron. The new office bearers of the association include Principal Secretary Sanjiv Khirwar; Secretary of Youth Services and Sports, Vikram Singh Malik; Director of School Education, Tsering Paldan; Under Secretary for Education, Sumera Shafi; and Joint Director of Youth Services and Sports, Tahir Hussain.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed his pleasure regarding the establishment of the Bharat Scouts and Guides chapter in Ladakh, praising the organization for its efforts in promoting values such as service before self, cultural cooperation, and national devotion. He noted that in military contexts, scouting pertains to intelligence gathering, while guiding pertains to offering assistance, stressing the critical roles they play in providing support when necessary.
Applauding Bharat Scouts and Guides for upholding an apolitical stance, the LG acknowledged the organization’s contribution to personality development and nation building. He encouraged members to raise awareness of the Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Indian Constitution and emphasized the organization’s role in tackling societal issues, including the problem of feral dogs.
The Lieutenant Governor assured his complete support for advancing Bharat Scouts and Guides as a movement in Ladakh, beyond merely being an organization. He asserted that this initiative would foster the development of Ladakh’s youth and enhance their leadership capabilities.
Dr KK Khandelwal, Chief National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, discussed the global impact of the organization.
He expressed his appreciation to the Lieutenant Governor for serving as the patron and president of the UT Ladakh State Association and expressed hope that the Ladakh chapter would thrive under his leadership. He presented the State byelaws and Charter of Affiliation to the Lieutenant Governor for the UT Ladakh State Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Wing Commander MM Joshi, National Commissioner (Special Programme) of Bharat Scouts and Guides.
