PM Sheikh Hasina directed authorities to set up Scout training centres

"There should have specific place to set up camp or centre in all divisions for imparting training and other activities. If such camp is established in all divisions, the scouting activities will be further expanded in the country," she said.

The Prime Minister gave the directives while formally inaugurating the 8th National Cub Camporee at the National Scouting Training Centre at Mouchak in Gazipur through videoconferencing from her official Ganobhaban residence here on Saturday morning.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki and president of Bangladesh Scouts and PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad spoke from Mouchak Camporee Ground.

Chief National Scout Commissioner and Camporee Chief Dr Md Mozammel Haque Khan presided over the function and delivered the welcome address at Ganobhaban, while some child scouts shared their experiences with the Premier from Mouchak Camporee Ground.

The six-day National Cub Camporee began at the National Scouting Training Centre at Mouchak in Gazipur on Friday with the participation of 8000 cub scouts and officials from all upazilas of the country.

The Prime Minister also handed over "Shapla Cub Awards" to 71 selected cub scouts from 10 regions at the inaugural function.

While talking about new "The Bangladesh Scouting Expansion and Scout Shatabdi Bhaban Construction Project " which is waiting for approval, the Premier put emphasis on placing the scheme immediately.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that she has already asked the authorities concerned to improve the quality of scouting activities by making it time-befitting from primary to secondary levels.

"I want this project be placed fast...I don't know why it is being delayed. The scheme would be approved immediately after its submission," she said.

The Premier said her government has allocated lands for setting up scout training centres and camp sites in Chittagong, Khulna, Bogra, Sylhet, Sirajganj, and Deviganj of Panchagarh.

To solve accommodation problems at the Mouchak National Scout Training Centre, she said, the centre was given permission to use 95 acres of forest land for running its activities smoothly.

Terming today's children as well as the scouts as the future of the country, the Prime Minister asked them to get ready for making any sacrifice for the people to build a prosperous and developed Bangladesh.

"You must love the country and the people...you must work for the countrymen to build a prosperous and developed Bangladesh," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also called upon the scouts to be honest, resolute and good charactered persons and to move with self confidence and said the country was liberated under the leadership of Bangabandhu after 23-year struggle and nine-month bloody war.

"We are a victorious nation and none could be able to suppress us. We would never retreat and it does not match with our character...we must march forward keeping our head high and I hope that the scouts would perform their responsibility with this thinking," she said.

Putting emphasis on further strengthening the scout movement, the Prime Minister said scouting gives huge opportunity to know oneself and creates strong self confidence among the new generations.

The Premier said the scouts are playing an important and effective role in facing any natural and national disasters with responsibility and dutifulness.

Terming this year's theme of 8th National Cub Camporee--"Amra Karbo Joy"-- as the most time befitting, Sheikh Hasina hoped that the experience of the camps would help develop the scouts as more efficient to face various challenges in building the country as Sonar Bangla.

Highlighting various programmes for the development of scouting, Sheikh Hasina said the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education have been working to extend all out support to Bangladesh Scouts in grooming new generations as skilled human resources through cubing and scouting.

Referring to Cubing Expansion Project under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Premier said this ministry is implementing the project to strengthen scouting and expand scouting activities.

She said Taka 11.37 crore were allocated for expansion of the cub scouting project from 2010 to 2016 through the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, adding 11,000 new Cubs have been formed through the scheme.

Besides, she said, the Education Ministry also implemented a project on "Human Resource Development Through Scouting" at a cost of Taka 17.07 crore during 2010-14 term.

Congratulating the scouts participating in the camporee, the Prime Minister hoped they would triumph with success all joyous and education-oriented programmes of the camp.

After opening the camporee, Sheikh Hasina released a commemorative postage stamp marking the centenary of the Bangladesh's scout movement that began its journey in 1914.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol