Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday stressed the need for strengthening the Scout Movement involving each student as it will help make children worthy of leading Bangladesh towards a developed, prosperous and smart future by 2041.
She was addressing as the chief guest the 32nd Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree and the concluding ceremony of the 11th National Scout Jamboree 2023 at the National Scouts Training Centre in Gazipur's Mouchak.
“I want to groom every child into a worthy citizen of the country. The Scouts have given moral and life-oriented education to them. Members of the Scouts are being developed as patriotic and conscious citizens with a mentality of rendering services,” she said.
Dhaka TribuneThe prime minister added that she wanted to strengthen the Scout Movement by providing every student in each educational institution across the country with Scouts training as it helps build children with an open mind, which is required to stay away from militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption.
She is hoping to increases the number of Scouts to 3 million by 2030.
Briefly describing her government initiatives to strengthen the Scout Movement in the country, she said her government will build Scouts buildings and training centres in each upazila and district.
The prime minister hoped that the jamboree will be held in Bangladesh in future and asked all concerned to take preparations to this end.
Dhaka TribuneAt the function, the prime minister distributed the highest award for the Scouts, the Shapla Cub Award, which included a certificate signed by her and a badge, to 12 regional winners.
President of the Bangladesh Scouts Md Abul Kalam Azad and Chairman of the Jamboree Organizing Committee and Chief National Commissioner of the Bangladesh Scouts Dr Md Mozammel Haque Khan spoke at the function.
The prime minister also released a special postage stamp marking the regional and national Scouts jamboree.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman and Director General of the Directorate of Posts Md Harunur Rashid were present on the occasion.
Dhaka TribuneA total of 11,000 participants, including 8,000 scouts, 1,000 unit leaders, and International Service Team members from India, Nepal, the Maldives, the Philippines, Scout China (Taiwan), Thailand, South Korea, the US, Germany and Canada participated in the nine-day event which will conclude on January 27.
