Ladies and gentlemen,
I am very proud to stand before you today on the occasion of my investiture as the Chief Patron of the Bharat Scouts & Guides, Mizoram. I accept this role with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility.

Today, I speak not only as the Governor of this beautiful and vibrant state, but also as someone who deeply respects the values, discipline, and service that the Scout and Guide movement represents.

Scouting and Guiding is one of the most impactful youth movements in the world. It is a voluntary, non-political, an educational movement dedicated to the all-round development of young people.

This movement, founded by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907, continues to inspire millions globally. Introduced to India in 1909, the movement has since grown into a nationwide force for character building and community service.

Today, it reaches over 67 million young people across 216 countries, a remarkable testament to its enduring values.

In India, the movement encompasses youth across various age groups -from Bunny to Cub/Bulbul, from Scout/Guide to Rover/Ranger- ensuring continuous growth and learning throughout their formative years.

The motto, “Once a Scout or Guide, always a Scout or Guide,” speaks volumes about the lifelong impact this movement leaves on its members.

Mizoram has a proud and rich history with Scouting. The journey began in 1932, when English missionaries formed the Lushai Scout Troop.

Since then, the movement has flourished, and today, under the guidance of the Sports & Youth Services Department, continues to touch lives across our hills and valleys.

I take a moment to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Mizoram Bharat Scouts & Guides over the past year
The Rajya Puraskar Testing Camp in May 2024 saw the successful completion of 130 Scouts and 173 Guides.

Training the trainers is key to sustainability, and I commend the Beginner and Basic Courses for Unit Leaders and Guide Captains.

At the district level, various Tritiya Sopan Training Camps were conducted — training hundreds of young Scouts and Guides with critical life skills.

Hosting the 8th North East Mini Jamboree in November 2024 with over 400 participants from different states was a proud moment for Mizoram.

Participation in the 8th North East Youth Festival in Gangtok earlier this year shows our commitment to regional collaboration and leadership.
Additional programs such as the Expedition for Unit Leaders, the Recreation programme for Commissioners, and continued training camps, reflect a vibrant and active movement.

These accomplishments highlight not just the hard work of the participants, but also the dedication of the volunteers, trainers, commissioners, and all stakeholders behind the scenes. I extend my sincere congratulations to each one of you.

Friends, this movement is not about uniforms or badges alone. It is about shaping responsible citizens who live by principles of service, respect, courage, and truth.

In a world increasingly driven by individualism and digital distractions, the Scout and Guide movement reminds us of community, resilience, and purpose.

As your Chief Patron, I assure you of my full support in helping this movement grow stronger in Mizoram.

Let us work together to bring Scouting and Guiding to every village, school, and district, so that no young person is left untouched by its transformative power.

Let us nurture these young minds, and help them blossom into the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow.

Thank you.
Jai Hind.