The Bharat Scouts and Guides unit was inaugurated at Saint Aloysius International School, Harihar, on Monday. The event aimed to introduce students to the Scouts and Guides movement, which empowers young people with values, skills, and knowledge to become responsible citizens and leaders.
The chief guest, N G Mohan, managing director of Cancer-Dialysis Patients’ and Education Trust and authority at Pilikula Nisarga Dhama Development Centre (former assistant state commissioner of Scouts and Guides, Mangaluru), was escorted to the flag post by the Scouts and Guides, accompanied by the school band. The flag was hoisted while the Scouts and Guides song was sung. This part of the ceremony took place on the school grounds.
The formal program was held at Fr Stan Swamy Auditorium and began with an inter-religious prayer service by Class 4 students. Class 3 students performed a welcome dance, followed by the lighting of the lamp by dignitaries and Scouts-Guides leaders, formally inaugurating the event.
Kannada teacher Manjunath L S welcomed the gathering and felicitated the chief guest. Physical educator and scout training master Santosh K S provided an introduction to the Scouts and Guides movement, explaining its history and objectives.
Addressing the students, N G Mohan highlighted the movement’s core values, including honesty, loyalty, and respect for others. He emphasized the skills students could acquire, such as first aid, camping, and community service, and encouraged them to take on leadership roles, make decisions, and work as a team. He also motivated students to engage in activities like visiting the elderly, assisting during disasters, protecting the environment, planting trees, and maintaining parks.
Ningamma, captain of the Guides, led the oath-taking ceremony in Kannada. The school director, Fr Eric Matthias SJ, along with the chief guest, school principal Sr Shanthi David FSI, vice principal Fr Vinod AJ SJ, college vice principal Paschal Fernandes, Santosh, and Ningamma, distributed badges to students. This was followed by the singing of Bhawaikya Geete (Unity Song).
Fr Vinod led the oath-taking ceremony in English. The event was compered by Samriddhi and Abdul Basheed, Class 4 students, with a professional touch.
Class 1 students presented a dance performance, followed by an address from Fr Eric Matthias. He encouraged students to engage in selfless service and be a blessing to the nation and the world. He praised N G Mohan not only for his achievements but also for symbolizing energy and dedication (Shakti). He noted that the chief guest had contributed significantly to the education of many students through his initiatives.
Class 2 students delivered another dance performance, and Tanushree proposed the vote of thanks. The program concluded with the school anthem.