Purpose
The purpose of Hindustan Scouts and Guides is to foster the mental, physical, and spiritual development of youth, shaping them into complete individuals. Through scouting and guiding, they engage in various activities such as community development, social service, adventure, yoga, meditation, environmental conservation, vocational skills, national integration, patriotism, brotherhood, loyalty, discipline, and leadership. These endeavours cultivate responsible citizenship and character.
About us
This Association is a Society, registered under The Society Registration Act XXI of 1860 and is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-communal, non-profitable Educational Organization in character. It is open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed.
What Is Scouting
In our opinion Scouting is not only a physical exercise but is a way to uplift the soul of a human being to reach god. It is a play-way method of building a person into a perfect human being from childhood to the time of going home to god. Once a Scout always a Scout.
Origin of Scouting and Guiding
The term ‘Scout’ originated in the military, with each country having its scout wing. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a retired top British military officer, won the Boer War in South Africa in 1900 with the help of boys related to military personnel. He wrote ‘Aids to Scouting,’ popularizing it among English youth associations. This led to ‘Scouting for Boys’ in 1907, marking the global inception of Scouting. Hindustan Scouts and Guides
After his retirement, Baden-Powell conducted an experimental but successful training camp on Brownsea Island in England from July 29 to August 9, 1907, with 22 boys. This camp is considered the official start of Scouting for Boys.
For girls, it began in 1910 under the Leadership of Lord Baden Powell’s unmarried sister Agnes Baden Powell with the name of “Girl Scouting”. After 2 years when Agnes was married, on the other hand, Lord Baden Powell married Miss Olave in 1912, She took charge of Girl Scouting and change its name to “Girl Guiding”. Even to say both names are running. The world Organisation is called “World Boy Scouts & Girl Guides Association”.
SCOUTING IN INDIA
Scouting came in India under the banner “Boys Scouts of India” in 1909 and Girl Guiding in 1913. But they were meant only for European and Anglo-Indian boys and girls.
The doors of these organizations were never opened for Indian boys and girls. There was resentment among Indians for it and in 1921, when World Chief Scout, Lord Baden Powell came to India, under the Leadership of Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya, a well-known Leader of India, approved and requested to open the doors for Indian boys and girls but he refused brutally. It was published in newspapers all around the World and it was disclosed due to great resentment among Indians, new Scout troops were being opened throughout India. Till 1928 about 9 new troops were working in the field even Dr. Annie Besent, an English Lady, worked with Mahatma Gandhi Ji and opened a Girl Company in Madras.
In 1928, Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya requested all Indian groups to come under one Banner. Everyone agreed and a new National Association named “HINDUSTAN SCOUTS ASSOCIATION”, came into existence, they ran “The Sewa Smiti Scouts Group” and prepared Indian literature for the same, and were appointed as 1st National Organising Commissioner of the Hindustan Scouts Association, under the Leadership of Shri Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya and Pt. Hridya Nath Kunjroo, Vivian Bose, G.S. Arundale, Mohan Singh Mehta, and several other prominent figures of India.
SCOUTING IN ANDHRA PRADESH STATE
Hindustan Scouts & Guides Andhra Pradesh is an association registered under the Societies Registration Act of 2001, with registration number 144/2020. Its jurisdiction covers the entire state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The association is affiliated with the “Hindustan Scouts and Guides Association” and received its affiliation on March 16, 2019. It began its activities in June of the same year, marked by the first national camp held in the Ongole District of Andhra Pradesh.
The association’s leadership in Andhra Pradesh includes Sri Raavi Mutyala Raju Garu as the first State Chief Commissioner (Scouts) & State Chairman. This team was elected by the National Executive Committee. The registered office and state headquarters are located at Door No. 7-104, B-Block, Ibrahimpatnam, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
An Extra Ordinary Incident
In 1938, Lord Baden-Powell, the World Chief Scout, visited India for the second time. A grand rally was organized by the Boy Scouts of India in Allahabad to mark the occasion. Pt. Shri Ram Bajpai attended the rally with a group from the Hindustan Scouts Association, all in uniform. During the event, Lord Baden-Powell, serving as the Chief Guest, attempted to hoist the flag, but it failed to unfurl. Despite the efforts of the English Scouts and Scouters, the flag remained stuck.
Seeing this, Pt. Shri Ram Bajpai instructed one of his Scouts to climb the flagpole and fix the problem. The Hindustan Scout climbed the pole, but as he reached the top, the pole broke, causing him to fall with the broken piece. Undeterred, he climbed again, using his Scout rope to lash the broken piece to the fixed part of the pole. He successfully secured the flag, enabling it to be unfurled.
After descending, the Scout saluted Pt. Shri Ram Bajpai, who then requested Lord Baden-Powell to hoist the flag. Impressed by the Scout’s bravery and resourcefulness, Lord Baden-Powell praised the Indian Scout for his daring act. In his speech, he retracted his previous statements from 1921 regarding Indians and urged the Viceroy of India to recognize the Hindustan Scout Association at the national level, with government grant-in-aid. He also requested the Viceroy to sponsor Pt. Shri Ram Bajpai’s attendance at the Wood Badge Training Camp at Gilwell Park in England, with government financial support.