When we start any mission in life, we definitely have a vision and a purpose. In a similar way, the Bharat Scouts & Guides was formed as a mission with vision in order to achieve some purpose. If we look back at our history. we will know that the Boy Scout Movement took a start in the United Kingdom when Lord Baden Powell (Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell) organized a Scout Camp at Brown sea Island in 1907. The movement spread quickly in United Kingdom and other countries of the world.

The first Scout Troop in India, consisting of Indian Boys, was formed by a Scottish Missionary, in the Central Provinces (present Madhya Pradesh) in 1908. However, the troop was disbanded in 1910. The common confirmed date, however, for the start of Scouting in India is 1909, when three troops for British boys were started at Bangalore, Kirkee and Jabalpur.

The Girl Guide movement got a start in India at Jabal pur (M.P.) in 1911. It expanded enormously. There were about 50 girl guide companies with a membership of over 1,200 by 1915. Like other Scout organizations, these companies were directly registered with the Imperial Scout Headquarters, London. But an All India Girl Guides Association was formed in 1916.

In the first years after India's independence leading politicians, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Muulana Abul Kalam and Mangal Das Pakvasa, as well as Scout leaders tried to unify India's Scouts and Guides. A first success was the merger of the The " Boy Scouts Association in India" and the "Hindustan Scout Association" forming the Bharat Scouts and Guides on November 7, 1950. About a year later, on August 15, 1951, the "All India Girl Guides Association" joined this new organisation.

The Bharat Scouts & Guides is 'a voluntary, non-political, educational movement for young people, open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the Founder Lord Baden Powell in 1907

Dear beloved Bulbuls, Scouts/Guides, Rangers, Commissioners and friends, as a member of this movement, it is one's bounden duty and responsibility to adhere to the principles of this movement, follow its laws and maintain our promise so that together we will be able to achieve our purpose and contribute towards nation building. Let us always be prepared to do our best in the service of others and the country.

May God bless all. Jai Hind !

(Ranjan Chatterjee)
Chief Secretary, Govt. of
Meghalaya/President,
Meghalaya Bharat Scouts &
Guides