Scouts and Guides Must Come Forward to Protect the Environment and Play a Key Role in Safeguarding Water and Forests: Governor Ramen Deka

Governor Presents State Awards to 1,122 Scouts and Guides at Lok Bhavan; Scouters and Guiders Honoured for Outstanding Service

Raipur, October 29, 2026/ Governor Shri Ramen Deka said that environmental protection is one of the biggest challenges we face today and requires collective efforts to conserve water and forests. Scouts and Guides can play an important role in environmental conservation, water harvesting and forest protection. Appreciating the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, he said initiatives of this kind are proving effective in promoting environmental protection. The Governor was speaking as the chief guest at the State Award Ceremony organised by Bharat Scouts and Guides, Chhattisgarh, at Chhattisgarh Mandapam in Lok Bhavan today. On the occasion, he presented State Awards to 1,122 Scouts, Guides, Rovers and Rangers selected from across the state. The ceremony was presided over by Education Minister and President of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Chhattisgarh, Shri Gajendra Yadav.

Participants Should Actively Contribute to Community Service

Congratulating the award recipients, Governor Shri Deka said that the Scout and Guide motto, ‘Be Prepared’, inspires members to remain ready to face difficult circumstances and fulfil their responsibilities. He said that receiving an award is a matter of pride, but it also brings greater responsibility. He urged all participants to actively contribute to community service and become role models for others through their conduct.

Hard Work and Determination Are Essential to Achieving Goals

The Governor expressed happiness at the participation of Scouts and Guides from the Bastar region who had come to receive the State Awards. He said that with peace established in Bastar following the end of Naxalism, the region is progressing rapidly towards development. Motivating the youth, Shri Deka said that recognising the right moment and striving continuously towards betterment are essential to moving forward in life. He emphasised that goals could be achieved only through hard work and firm determination.

Scouting Inspires a Lifetime of Service: Education Minister Shri Yadav

Education Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav said that the rules and pledges of Bharat Scouts and Guides give its members a distinctive identity. The Scout uniform symbolises discipline, service and dedication. He said that people associated with scouting continue to serve society throughout their lives. The honour received from the Governor is an unforgettable achievement for the participants and would continue to inspire them to contribute to community service. He also extended his best wishes to Scouts and Guides across the state for achieving the President’s Award.

State Awards Conferred on 1,122 Participants

At the ceremony, Governor Shri Ramen Deka presented State Awards to 405 Scouts, 528 Guides, 64 Rovers and 125 Rangers selected from across Chhattisgarh.

For outstanding contributions to scouting, the following individuals were honoured: Best Scouter Yogeshwar Prasad Ganguly of Balod; Best Guiders Tanuja Banjare and Lata Vaishnav of Mahasamund; Best Rovers Rajmani Banjare and Chandrashekhar Pankaj; Best Rangers Kumari Vibhuti Verma and Kumari Kriti Bijour; Best Scouts Ish Sahu, Harish Kumar Khote and Rajveer Bhatt; and Best Guides Divya Patel and Deepti Patel.

In recognition of their long-standing service to scouting, Shailendra Mishra, Anand Ram Baghel, Pawan Kumar Nayak, Vinod Kumar Hathel, Shashi Banchhor and Rajni Reddy were presented with certificates of appreciation and cash awards. A pipping ceremony was also held during the programme, in which Shri Udit Pushkar (IPS), ADC posted at Lok Bhavan, was honoured with the presentation of his rank badge.

On the occasion, Governor’s Secretary Dr. C. R. Prasanna, Education Department Secretary Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, State Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Chhattisgarh, Shri Inderjeet Singh Khalsa, State Secretary Shri Amit Kumar Kshatriya, Programme In-charge Shri Shailendra Mishra, State Training Commissioner Dr. Poonam Singh Sahu, State Organising Commissioner (Guide) Jalwaati Sahu, State Training Commissioner (Guide) Sarita Pandey, and other office-bearers and officials of the organisation were also present.