The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

As international scout centenary celebration got off to a formal start in Bangladesh, President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Sunday called upon the scouts to earn leadership quality compatible with the ability to face challenges of the 21st century.

" The key obstacles on the way toward development and progress for the developing countries like Bangladesh are poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and superstition. The Scouts have to play a vital role in eradicating those hindrances," he said addressing the inaugural ceremony of the International Centenary of Scouts dubbed COMODECA (Community Development Camp) being held in the sea-resort district Cox's Bazar. The inauguration took place at a ceremony at Bangabhaban.

Praising scouts' humanitarian work for cyclone survivors in southwestern Bangladesh, the President hoped that Bangladesh Scouts would be able to brighten the image of Bangladesh in the world arena through implementing the programmes taken up under the COMODECA successfully.

The President, also the chief Scout, said government would continue its cooperation in scouting movement in Bangladesh like in the past.

Scout movement, founded by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 to develop juvenile as ideal citizens side by side for the humanity, completed a hundred years yesterday (Sunday), he noted.

"On this glorious day, I pay profound homage to the immortal memories of him (Lord Baden Powell)," Dr Ahmed said.

The President hoped that the ongoing scout movement would be strengthened further across the world and it would help in developing new generations as worthy citizens side by side creating opportunities for them to contribute to serving humanity in national and international arenas.

Dr Ahmed thanked the Bangladesh scouts for setting up six work camps in five coastal districts under sundarban sub-camp to conduct relief and rehabilitation works for cyclone victims.

The President congratulated the scouts and the officials of

Asia-Pacific region of World Scouts and hoped that the COMDECA would be very fruitful by their active participation and cooperation.

" I believe the bonds of friendship and fraternity among yourselves would be more tightened through this COMDECA. I wish your bright and prosperous future," he said.

Chief National Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts Md Fazlur Rahman, Secretary to the President's Office Sirajul Islam, Personal Secretary and Press Secretary to the President, and Director General of Bangladesh Television were present at Bangabhaban during the president's televised inaugural address.