Rajya Puruskar award ceremony held at Raj Bhavan

GANGTOK, : The prestigious Rajya Puruskar Award Ceremony was held on Monday at Raj Bhavan, Gangtok, where Governor Om Prakash Mathur graced the occasion as the chief guest.

The event saw the felicitation of outstanding Scouts and Guides from various schools across the State, who were honoured with the Rajya Puruskar Award for their exemplary dedication and service under the Bharat Scouts and Guides program, a Raj Bhavan release informs.

The Governor graciously presented the Rajya Puraskar Award to 20 guides and 4 scouts from various schools across the State in recognition of their outstanding achievements and a certificate to Mukund Dhungyel, who has completed the Leaders Trainers Course, the highest level of training in Scouts and Guides.

Addressing the award recipients, the Governor extended warm greetings to all attendees and congratulated the awardees for their commendable achievements. He expressed that it was both a joyful and proud moment to witness the spirit of patriotism and service exemplified by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, an organization deeply rooted in national values.

Highlighting the significance of such ceremonies, the Governor stated, “Events like these encourage our children to become valuable assets to the nation and contributors to the global human community. The core values of the Scouts and Guides discipline, dedication, and service reflect the belief that service itself is a form of religion, and today’s ceremony truly embodies that ethos.”

The Governor emphasized that receiving the Rajya Puruskar is not the end but a beginning, a stepping stone to greater achievements. He encouraged the students to aspire towards the President’s Award, the highest recognition in the Bharat Scouts and Guides movement.

“The children here today are not just the future of India, they are the very strength and hope of our nation,” he said. He further lauded the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has envisioned a Viksit Bharat @2047—a developed India by the 100th year of independence, with the youth as its foundation and torchbearers. He remarked that the Bharat Scouts and Guides serve as a shining example of this vision in action.

Furthermore, the Governor concluded by encouraging the Scouts and Guides to remain committed to societal and national service, and to carry the State and the country forward with pride and purpose.

Earlier, the program commenced with a welcome note and introduction to the Rajya Puraskar Award by Elizabeth Shyangbo. It was followed by cultural dances performed by St. Joseph Convent, Martam, and Sungdunglakaha School, and a patriotic song titled 'Neel Gagan Mein Ek Chand Hai'.

The vote of thanks was delivered by State Commissioner Guides, Meena Bhutia, the release informs.