This Scout Group is 93 years old

Awaiting its centenary, the oldest open scout units in Bangalore, Sri Chamundi Scout Group, celebrated its 93rd anniversary, remembering its landmark achievements.

It was a proud moment for all as one of the oldest open scout groups in the city celebrated its anniversary with a grand gathering at its own premises at West Park road, Malleshwaram. Started in the year 1918 by late M H Ramachandra Rao with Thirunarayana Iyengar as the first Scout Master, the group has been training young children since then.
Without any support or aid from the Government, the group has been functioning regularly and training children in first aid, swimming, scout crafts, camp crafts, etc. It was granted the premises in Malleshwaram in 1941 by the then Municipality of Bangalore and it is considered to be the only open unit in the country having its own premises.
Recalling its achievements in the past one year, Group leader Narasimha Murthy said, "The Sri Chamundi Scout Group, as everyone knows, has been a humming bee with varied activities for the children for all the 365 days in the year. During last year, the group enrolled many new faces, taking the strength on its role to 130 with almost 89 to 90 children attending every day for various activities. We were able to regularly train them for scouting and guiding skills and conducted annual camp at Kambada Narasimha Swami Betta near Chennapatna for three days with about 70 children attending the camp. The group also participated in different district level functions, local association rally, state level open units get-together, state level Cubs and Bul-buls Utsav and also celebrated various festivals in a grand manner."
Having received many accolades in the past, the children from the group also received many achievements in the past one year. Five Cubs of the age 6-10 years successfully completed the Chathurth Charan Award. Chi. Sunit from the group successfully completed his Rashtrapathy Award tests and became a Rashtrapathy Scout. Many bulbuls and cubs crossed over to guiding and scouting respectively.
Many cultural programmes were also organised by the children during the occasion. Bulbuls of the age 7-10 years performed a wonderful skit based on the theme of "Saying 'No' to plastic and conservation of environment", depicting the state of the country after 50 years from now. While the Cubs performed a skit on how one should know their limitations and aim for things depending on their resources, the scouts and guides performed skits on nature as the theme. Group dance, group song and patriotic song recitals were the other programmes for the evening.
With such a magnificent showcase of talent by the children, the anniversary celebration of the group and their services were well admired and acclaimed by all.

On the move
Without any support or aid from the Government, the Group has been functioning regularly and training children in first aid, swimming, scout crafts, camp crafts, etc. During last year, the Group enrolled many new faces, taking the strength on its role to 130 with almost 89 to 90 children attending every day for various activities.

--CITYPLUS NEWSDESK