Governor Deka Urges Scouts and Guides to Lead Efforts to Protect Water and Forests

Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka presents State Award certificates to Scout and Guide representatives as Education Minister Gajendra Yadav and Bharat Scouts and Guides State Chief Commissioner Inderjit Singh Khalsa look on, at Chhattisgarh Mandapam, Lok Bhavan, in Raipur on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Photo: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

Governor presents State Awards to 1,122 Scouts, Guides, Rovers and Rangers at Lok Bhavan; outstanding service and long-standing contributions recognised

Key Highlights

• Governor Ramen Deka called for collective action on environmental protection, water conservation and forest preservation.
• 405 Scouts, 528 Guides, 64 Rovers and 125 Rangers received State Awards.
• Education Minister Gajendra Yadav highlighted scouting’s lifelong commitment to discipline and service.
• Outstanding members, adult leaders and long-serving contributors were honoured.

Raipur: Governor Ramen Deka urged Scouts and Guides to take an active role in protecting the environment, conserving water and safeguarding forests while addressing the State Award presentation ceremony at Chhattisgarh Mandapam in Lok Bhavan on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Organised by Bharat Scouts and Guides, Chhattisgarh, the ceremony recognised 1,122 Scouts, Guides, Rovers and Rangers selected from across the state.

Describing environmental protection as one of the most significant challenges facing society, the Governor said conserving water and forests required sustained collective efforts. He appreciated the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and said such initiatives could make a meaningful contribution to environmental conservation.

Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka addresses the State Award ceremony of Bharat Scouts and Guides as Education Minister Gajendra Yadav sits on the dais, at Chhattisgarh Mandapam, Lok Bhavan, in Raipur on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Photo: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

“Scouts and Guides can play an important role in environmental protection, water conservation and safeguarding forests,” Deka said.

Education Minister Gajendra Yadav, who also serves as president of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Chhattisgarh, presided over the ceremony.

Congratulating the award recipients, Deka said the scouting motto, ‘Be Prepared’, encouraged members to remain ready to face difficult circumstances and fulfil their responsibilities.

Governor Ramen Deka, Education Minister Gajendra Yadav and Bharat Scouts and Guides State Chief Commissioner Inderjit Singh Khalsa join Guides and organisation representatives for a group photograph during the State Award ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Raipur on Thursday, October 29, 2026. primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

He emphasised that recognition should strengthen their commitment to public service and inspire conduct that others could follow.

“Receiving an award is a matter of pride, but it also brings greater responsibility. Contribute actively to social service and become an inspiration through your conduct,” the Governor said.

Deka expressed particular happiness at the participation of Scouts and Guides from Bastar. Speaking about the region’s changing circumstances, he said peace and development were opening opportunities for its young people.

He encouraged participants to recognise opportunities, persevere through challenges and remain committed to their ambitions.

“Goals can be achieved through hard work and determination,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Yadav said the rules and promises of Bharat Scouts and Guides gave its members a distinctive identity. The uniform, he said, represented discipline, service and dedication.

Yadav said scouting instilled a lifelong spirit of service, adding that receiving recognition from the Governor would remain a memorable achievement and encourage participants to continue serving society.

He also expressed hope that more Scouts and Guides from Chhattisgarh would progress towards receiving the President’s Award.

Education Minister Gajendra Yadav affixes a rank badge to Udit Pushkar, IPS, Aide-de-Camp to the Governor, as Governor Ramen Deka and Bharat Scouts and Guides State Chief Commissioner Inderjit Singh Khalsa look on, during the pipping ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Raipur on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Photo: primelookindia.com CG/DPR

The State Awards recognised 405 Scouts, 528 Guides, 64 Rovers and 125 Rangers, bringing the total number of recipients to 1,122.

Special honours were also presented for outstanding contributions to scouting. These included best Scouter Yogeshwar Prasad Ganguly of Balod, and best Guiders Tanuja Banjare and Lata Vaishnav of Mahasamund.

Rajmani Banjare and Chandrashekhar Pankaj were recognised as best Rovers, while Vibhuti Verma and Kriti Bijour received recognition as best Rangers.

The best Scout honours went to Ish Sahu, Harish Kumar Khote and Rajveer Bhatt, while Divya Patel and Deepti Patel were recognised as best Guides.

For their long-standing service to scouting, Shailendra Mishra, Anand Ram Baghel, Pawan Kumar Nayak, Vinod Kumar Hathel, Shashi Banchor and Rajni Reddy received certificates of appreciation and monetary awards.

A pipping ceremony was also held, during which Udit Pushkar, IPS, Aide-de-Camp to the Governor, was conferred rank badges.

Those present included Secretary to the Governor Dr. C. R. Prasanna, Education Secretary Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, State Chief Commissioner Inderjit Singh Khalsa, State Secretary Amit Kumar Kshatriya, programme coordinator Shailendra Mishra, State Training Commissioner Dr. Poonam Singh Sahu, State Organising Commissioner (Guide) Jalwati Sahu, State Training Commissioner (Guide) Sarita Pandey, and other officials and office-bearers.