Scouting's service mantra should be spread across the country: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the Ministry of Education to arrange scout training for every student. He said, only then, suitable citizens will be created to build a smart Bangladesh.

He said this at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Asia Pacific and 11th National Scout Jamboree at Maucha in Gazipur on Wednesday morning.

The Prime Minister said

• Our goal is to take Bangladesh forward and we are working with that goal. I want every one of our students, just a select few from non-primary school to be scouted; Although we now have 2.2 million members, by 2030 there will be 3 million Scouts. Every student in all educational institutions should receive scout training. Then I believe, my country will become a suitable citizen to build Sonar Bangla or Smart Bangladesh.'

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"I hope, one day I can hold the World Scout Jamboree in Bangladesh. In that way, we have to take initiatives from now on,' he said.

The Prime Minister also said, 'The idea we have when we see Bangladesh today is that it was not Bangladesh once. Hunger and poverty were constant companions. Our effort is to build a hunger-poverty-free Bangladesh. Today's Bangladesh is Digital Bangladesh.'

Appreciating the scout movement, the Prime Minister said that scouting gives moral and life training to the new generation. And modern progressive, creative qualities are developed in the youth. As a result Scout members are being initiated into the mantra of service, developing themselves as conscious and patriotic citizens.

He said

• Scout members are philanthropists making a special contribution to social service, leaving a commendable role. We see that be it during natural disasters or during covid. We have seen the sincerity of the scouts at various times. I want this scout movement to develop more widely in our country.

Highlighting various initiatives of the government to spread the scout movement in the country, the Prime Minister said that we have taken various initiatives to strengthen the scout movement in the country. For example, under the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh Scout Centenary Building Construction Project at a cost of Tk 140 crore, Scout Building Construction Project in Moulvibazar District at a cost of Tk 482.3 million, Regional Scout Training Center Lalmai Development Project at a cost of Tk 485.53 million is being implemented. Moreover, through the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the fourth phase project of expansion of cub scouting is being implemented at a cost of 355 crore forty lakh taka. 95 acres of land has been allotted in favor of National Scout Training Center Mouchak Gazipur.

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He announced the construction of scout buildings and training centers in every district and upazila of the country.

Calling everyone to stay away from drugs and terrorism, Sheikh Hasina said, everyone should be open minded. All forms of corruption, superstition, bigotry, terrorism should be free.

Calling to engage themselves in the service of humanity, the Prime Minister said that service to humanity is the greatest service. The greatest satisfaction comes from working for people.