Minister for higher and technical education, Temjen Imna Along, while asserting the importance of national integration has called upon Bharat Scouts & Guides (BS&G) to contribute towards achieving it.
He was addressing BS&G, students, teachers and others at the inaugural ceremony of “Camporee 2018” held under the theme “Holiness, Harmony and Health” on Friday at Don Bosco ground, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS) Dimapur, as chief guest.
Along said every little step taken, today, towards breaking down the boundaries and social walls that segregate the people was a “great step” in achieving national integration.
The minister said BS&G could play a crucial role in breaking down the boundaries by coming together in a true nature of oneness and by spreading the message of oneness in their respective places.
He said the “strong bond, relationship and comradeship” shared by BS&G was valuable and that the scouts and guides should exhibit this oneness in their day to day lives.
The minister also urged the scouts and guides to make use of the camporee as a platform to know each other and equip themselves with knowledge, discipline and self determination to build a family not only as BS&G but as one people.
Encouraging the students to “dream big” and work towards achieving their goals, Along said, “If you dream big, work hard with discipline and strong determination then nothing is impossible.”
The minister also lauded Nagaland Bharat Scout and Guides (NBS&G) for their immense contribution in building a strong and peaceful state, region and nation.
Along, an alumni of DBHSS Dimapur, also acknowledged his former teachers and the school for moulding him and attributed his success to them. He also acknowledged the services of the Don Bosco family, the Salesian fathers, brothers and sisters for their immense contribution in the field of education.
The four-day “Camporee 2018”, attended by BS&G representing 13 schools from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, began with a prayer song and flag break.
In the inaugural ceremony, the welcome speech was delivered by Fr. Rector and an impressive aerobics was performed by Bosconians (students of classes IV & V) which was followed by a march past ceremony wherein marches were presented by BS&G representing different schools from the three states.
A short speech was delivered by Fr, Nestor Guria of Provincial of Salesian Province Dimapur; a special song was presented by Sanjana Rai while the vote of thanks was delivered by DBHSS principal, Fr. Joshua.