“Scouts And Guides President Award Rally,

5 th to 9 th December, 2015”

Every year, President Award Rally is organised to felicitate the Rashtrapati scouts and guides from each state, as an appreciation and acknowledgement of the sincere efforts that they have been doing towards making our society a better place to live, by serving others. One scout and one guide from each state is selected and given the privilege of attending the ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan and receive the award from His Excellency, President of India on behalf of all the awardees from their state, where all the dignitaries and high ranking officers of Navy, Army and Air force accompanied them.

I, Sakshi Gautam, the first Rashtrapati Guide from Montfort, Bhopal got the opportunity to represent the state of Madhya Pradesh. A badge and a certificate signed by The President was awarded as a motivation to do good and become a true Indian. The camp where we were trained was organised at The National Youth Complex, Gadpuri, Haryana, is a wonderful and well equipped camp site with a huge auditorium, ground, tents, medical faciliity and other required amenities. Here, we had the best trainers of our Scout Guide National Headquaters to assist and train us for the ceremony. On 5th December, after registration and lunch, Official Opening of the camp was done at the Flag. We were told about the objectives and rules of the camp and a tour of the camp site was given. After the Campfire and Dinner, we were briefed about the following day programmes and were told that it would be a hectic schedule thereafter.

On 6th and 7th December, after the B.P. exercise and breakfast, we had an inspection of our uniforms and marching. At the Flag, the improvements were suggested state-wise and we were given time to correct ourselves accordingly. While all this was going on, we were being called in between the practices to give interviews and share our experiences with the media, as our daily activities were being broadcasted at national and international levels. We were also supposed to perform two songs at the Bhavan. The first  was The World Scout Song in Assamese (Bishwa Bijoye Naojawan) and a Hindi community Song (Dulhan sa Pyaara Desh Banaenge). We devoted two days in practicing and rehearsing our parts for the function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Even the chilly weather could not suppress our voices of energy and enthusiasm. Be it day or night, there were young bloods running about completing tasks. On the evening of 7th, we had a Grand Camp Fire where we were accompanied by the chairman of the World Scouts Association and the chair of WAGGGS and other dignified personalities like the Director Of Bharat Scouts Guides and the hero of MOP program in APR etc. All states performed a dance or a song that night. It was a celebration of true spirit of scouting and a short break from the activities - a little entertainment before the big day.

8th Decemeber was the day we’ve been waiting for ever since we started scouting. Early morning at 7 a.m. after breakfast we left our campsite for the 2-hour journey to the President’s House. Though we all were tired due to the vigorous practices and sleeplessness but as soon as we saw the Darbar Hall where the ceremony was to be conducted, we were awestruck at the beauty and royalty of the place. It was better than what we could ever imagine it to be, it was huge and made of marble, its ceiling had sculptures and engravings, and it was decorated and arranged just for us - it was breathtakingly amazing. We all took our seats and watched everyone around us being so disciplined and smart. Everything was perfect.

The Program began at 1 o’clock with the arrival of Dr. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India while the Air force band played in the background. After the introductory session and procedures, the distribution of certificates to the different states began. We marched our way on the red carpet to the President, saluted him and received the award. It was indeed an honour to be among all those high ranking officers and other honoured personalities.

The president handed over the certificates and congratulated us. After getting his blessings and motivational speech, we went for lunch. It was a wonderful feeling, just being a part of it. After reaching the camp site, we all were filled with happiness and satisfaction.

9th December was the last day of the rally. At 7 am, we all had faith prayer, where we thanked God for everything that he has given us and for blessing our camp. After the Prayer and Flag, we had our breakfast and time was given to return the issued gears. A final session and inspection was conducted. With the lowering of the flag, The Rally was declared closed.

7 years back, when I joined Scouts and Guides in school, I could’ve never imagined the possibility of reaching here. I still remember my first camp, and still can’t believe that I’ve been a part of scouting for so long now, that it has become a part of me. Scouting not only gave me a platform to discover myself but also taught me the true meaning of patriotism, teamwork, leadership and honour. If anyone deserves this award more than me that could only be my loving parents, Mr. Rakesh Gautam and Mrs. Kiran Gautam, and other family members who always believed in me and gave me the strength to do my best.

All this would not have been possible without Rev. Bro. T. Alex, Principal, Montfort, Bhopal, who always supported and blessed all my scouting adventures. Rev. Bro. William was my first Scouting teacher and mentor, who selflessly helped me in becoming who I am today. I thank Asha Mam, without whose guidance and directions, the Rashtrapati award could never become reality for me.

I’m indebted to all my Other Guide Captains and Scout Masters who helped me through my journey along with all my teachers who always helped me cope with studies after camp. Every Montfortian, be it the non-teaching staff or my friends, motivated and inspired me to try my best in everything I do.

This achievement is not just mine, but everyone who helped me make it possible.

And as it was said to us at the closing of the camp:

“This is Not an End to a Journey but a New beginning towards Achieving even bigger goals like world peace and true patriotism. With this camp, your scouting doesn’t end, it begins at other level, a higher level. As our Founder Baden Powel rightly said: ONCE A SCOUT, ALWAYS A SCOUT.”