My thoughts ... The Education system in Maldives (1) - Privatization, A road to class differentiation ?

Privatization a road to class differentiation ?

I ended up lucky to have been among the generations in Maldives that went to school with people from all classes, backgrounds and moral standards ... I had the opportunity to go to the same school where the son of the richest man went .... to the school where the daughter of a Ministerial family went ... to the school where the poorest man's son went .... to the school where the ordinary friendly next door neighbor's daughter went ... to the same school where the president sends his children ...

Wonder whether this will be the situation in Maldives in 2030 ???

The government introducing privatization in education system may have benefits, and I must say I fairly do agree to those advantages as any other in the nation. But my thoughts take me to a place where I don't expect most people go into ...

Well, my thinking maybe a bit "radical" or bit too "extreme" as some may put it, but I guess no harm in listening to what a barely 20 year old thinks!

Now there are different levels or standards in PRIVATIZED SCHOOL:

Lets start with the rich guy, now when he takes up a school and runs it, he will bring in quite standard professionals to manage the school, probably from Australia or UK, with the quality service and amazing professional management, comes expensive tuition fees.

7th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Leaders Summit

24-27 June 2010
Bangalore, Karnataka, India

This important regional event will bring together the key Scout Leaders of all member Scout organizations in the Asia-Pacific Region to analyze the developments since the 6th APR Scout Leaders Summit in 2009 and to provide direction for the region. Ideally, each NSO should be represented by the:

• Chief Commissioner or equivalent
• International Commissioner
• Chief Scout Executive or equivalent

Conference Venue
The venue for the Summit is the Atria Hotel, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The hotel is strategically located in palace road in the heart of the city. It is easily accessible to MG Road - the corporate hub of Bangalore which is just 5 km away. It is also accessible from the airport in 45 minutes and less than 10 minutes from the city railway station. For more information, you may visit the website at http://www.atriahotel.com

Sub-Committee
Prior to the summit, all sub-committees will have their respective meetings:meetings from 21-22 June and details of these meetings will be circulated.

More Information

http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/asia_pacific/information_events/apr_events/7th_asia_pacific_regional_scout_leaders_summit

ECOCARE MALDIVES; to aware, protect and sustain the environment.

Being a member of this NGO I just want to give some Introduction and some idea of the sort of work the NGO has been doing. Hope this gives a clear picture of ECOCARE MALDIVES in general.

ECOCARE Maldives was registered under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 15 Nov. 1994. This is an independent non-profit-making non-governmental organization, which works for the protection and sustainable development of the environment. The main current issues undertaken are environmental awareness issues.

The co-founders of ECOCARE Maldives Mohamed Zahir and Ibrahim Waheed “Ogaru”, two young persons from very different backgrounds were thrown together frequently not in their professional areas of work but in area where certain personal interests coverage- that of writing on issues of social concern. While Mohamed Zahir was a professional photographer who worked for a legal newspaper, Ibrahim Waheed “Ogaru” worked in the area of education. An almost continuous threat that ran in their contribution to local dailies and periodicals, first unwittingly and later with purpose, was the protection of the fragile environment of the Maldives in its delightful entirety. Formally untrained, and certainly lacking formal education in the area of environmental protection, these two young persons utilized their courage, determination and inventiveness to develop into the complex world of environment protection. Their writings and other efforts supplemented and augmented official efforts made at a national level to increase environmental awareness in the nation. Their efforts were so rewarding and successful that they decided to commit themselves to the environment of the Maldives by formally registering ECOCARE Maldives.

Today, ECOCARE Maldives remains small and humble. The two co-founders and a very dedicated General Secretary Mr Moosa Manik, also self-taught professional, make up the permanent individual membership of ECOCARE Maldives. This helps the organization remain focused and committed to its highly practical approach to promoting environmental awareness in an active manner in the Maldives. However, whenever the need arises in the carrying out of an active exercise, ECOCARE Maldives has the unique privilege of calling upon a formidable reserve of volunteer partners from all profession walks of life. It is a matter of organizational pride that most who work with the organization for the first time on a given assignment choose to remain on call for a second opportunity. ECOCARE Maldives is much in their debt. ECOCARE Maldives also owes a great debt to a selected group of gracious and valued sponsors that have bolstered the organization in its practical undertakings.

Programs & Projects

A strong campaign, in earnest, was launched in 1994 to protect the marine turtle. Under this campaign, an educational awareness kit including three post-cards, firsthand information card and an educational booklet was distributed in the tourism sector to stop the turtle trade in the Maldives. His Excellency The EX President of The Republic of Maldives Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom also helped this project financially. In addition, appeals were sent to members of parliament to ban turtle trade in the Maldives. Mass media was used to create awareness among the general public of the same. In 1995 the government declared a total ban on catching, killing and any form of turtle trade in the Maldives.

Posters were distributed to create awareness in government offices, schools and the general public in the use of paper. More than 50,000 posters were distributed this way.

On days like the World Environment Day and World Cleanup Day ECOCARE Maldives had actively participated in programs organized by the government and schools.

Under the Two Million Tree-planting program and Independent Maldives, Clean Maldives ECOCARE Maldives had participated actively and prepared awareness materials such as posters to create awareness among the public.

Members of ECOCARE Maldives give advice on running environmental programs and lecture on environmental issues in both schools and tourist resorts to create awareness.

ECOCARE Maldives provides photographs, gives guidance to government authorities, private organizations and foreign parties in publishing books, printing calendars and reports on the environment of the Maldives.

International environmental organizations such as Environment Investigation Agency (London), CIDAM International (USA) have visited the Maldives and have run joint environment awareness programs with ECOCARE Maldives.

ECOCARE Maldives runs a small library on general environmental aspects. This library is extensively used by school children. Foreign experts use the library for their reference in writing their thesis and reports on their studies.

Reprints were made of the 50,000 booklets printed initially on turtle awareness in 1994 and are being distributed presently. The reprint was made on request from some concerned authorities.

Similar campaign to that of the Save the Turtle was started to SAVE THE SHARK in the year 2000. The awareness booklets on Save the Shark are being distributed.

Beginning of the year 2000 an ongoing environmental awareness program was launched to create awareness among the school children of Malé and Baa Atoll. Baa Atoll lies about 96 miles to the north of Malé. Hence, arranging transportation for 50 participants including school children and teachers to the atoll is organized in each of these trips. School children from Malé and islands in Baa atoll work as colleagues to study the environmental issues such as mangrove ecosystem, coral reefs, beach erosion, biodiversity, natural vegetation, waste, etc. in the atoll. Two such programs, of five days each, are run every year during the school holidays. This is done to use the school holidays effectively and in a useful manner.

ECOCARE Maldives organizes sessions for school children and public through the help of international expertise on some highly pressing environmental issues such as climate change.

Scented flowering plants common in Malé in the past, but are no longer seen, are re-introduced with the help of devoted parties and are distributed in Malé once or twice a year.

Work has been started to collect and compile a complete inventory of all the plants that are grown and found in the Maldives. These plants include indigenous and exotic varieties. This led to another piece of work that is of great interest, which is to take a complete inventory of the medicinal plants and parts of the plants found in the Maldives. Once this work has been completed in full, it will be presented in the form of a database that would accessible to any parties who are interested.

ECOCARE Maldives envisages compiling a database of Insects and Birds of Maldives.

Since plastic containers and bags are an environmental hazard to coral reefs and its life alike, ECOCARE Maldives has carried out special awareness programs to school children and general public through media and visiting schools in person. Paper bags of different sizes and varieties are brought to Maldives and are distributed to schools and other NGO’s as samples to promote the use of paper bags to replace the use of plastic bags.

Environmental videos and slides are made available in ECOCARE Maldives for the use of environmental awareness programs run by both Malé and atoll schools and government authorities alike.

A series of lectures was given to primary schools in Malé from 1998 to 2000 under a program called Awareness 2000. Resident and expatriate resource personnel gave these lectures. In addition, these lectures were facilitated by videos and slides.

ECOCARE Maldives hosted numerous events as a part of climate action on the distributed day of events (October 24, 2009) coordinated by 350.org.

Mentioned above are the major activities run by ECOCARE Maldives to enhance environmental awareness. All of these services provided to whoever has the need is free of charge and its users are not required to be members of ECOCARE Maldives. Sonevafushi Tourist Resort have provided funding for most of these programs and activities. For the awareness 2000 program Canadian Embassy provided financial assistance to purchase some audiovisual equipments. In addition, some local business parties also provide financial assistance to some programs run by ECOCARE Maldives.

Log on to there website and find more:

http://ecocare.mv

Some Historic Scout Photos part 3!!!

'Scouting began in Maldives 19th Shawal 1375 H, 30th May 1956. This date the day Scouting was registered in the Government of Maldives. And the patron of Scouting was then the Prime Minister Sumul Ameer Ibrahim Famuladheri Kilegefaan and the Scout Commissioner was Sahibul Saadha Ibrahim Nasir and the Chief Scout was Wazeerul Maarif (Minister of Education) Hon. Ibrahim Shihab

and the Scout Master was Bandhu Mohamed Kalefanu.'

This information is recorded in a book called “Vihivana Sathaa ah Balailun” in the Historical and Linguistic Research Center.

Top most

1. Rest in Peace - Late Chief Commissioner Hon. Ahmed Shathir as a Rover Scout in Egypt.

2. Longest Bridge - Guraidhoo Bridge

3. Asia Pacific Regional Course for leader Trainers 1992

4. Maldivian contingent to the First SAARC Jamboree in Sri Lanka with Commissioner and Staff.

5. Maldivian Contingent at Islamic Jamboree - Islam Aabad - Pakistan

Photo's collected by Ahmed Imad Mohamed ... thank you sir for sharing ...

fleur-de-lys; the World Scout Emblem

After his second stay in India, Baden Powell created a fleur-de-lys badge for his Scout Group. Just as in maritime maps this symbolises North, the Scouts of the world make it the symbol which identifies them.

The Scout emblem which has been worn by an estimated 250 million Scouts since the Movement was founded and is today still used by 16 million Scouts in 150 countries and territories, is one of the world's best known symbols. But Scouts and members of the public often ask how the emblem originated.

Lord Baden-Powell himself gave the answer, "Our badge we took from the 'North Point' used on maps for orienteering them with North". Lady Baden-Powell said later, "It shows the true way to go."

So, the emblem helps to remind Scouts to be as true and reliable as a compass in keeping to their Scouting ideals and showing others the way.

In Scouting, we take the three tips of the emblem to represent the three main points of the Scout Promise. The two decorative five-pointed stars are taken in some countries to stand for truth and knowledge.

In the World Scout Emblem, the basic motif is encircled by a rope tied with a reef or square knot symbolizing the unity and brotherhood of the Movement throughout the world. Even as one cannot undo a reef knot no matter how hard one pulls on it so, as it expands, the Movement remains united.

The colour of the World Scout Badge is a white on a royal purple background. These, too, are symbolic. In heraldry white represents purity and royal purple denotes leadership and helping other people.

The basic design was in use for centuries before it came to indicate North on a compass. The Chinese are known to have used it as a direction symbol as early as 2000BC. The Larousse Encyclopedia notes that some Etruscan bronzes and Roman ornaments carried the design, and it has been found on ancient monuments in Egypt and India.

Its use as a navigation aid in Europe probably dates from the end of the 13th Century when Marco Polo brought back a compass from Cathay. The Grand Encyclopedia credits an Italian marine pilot, Flavio Gioja of Amalfi, for drawing it as a North Point on a primitive compass he built.

The Encyclopedia Britannica gives another interesting version of the origin of the design. This is that it derives from the "Wind Rose" which is much older than the magnetic compass and first appeared on the charts of Mediterranean sea pilots. The eight main wind directions were shown by Greek letters and the North Wind marked "T" for Tramontana. In time, the "T" was embellished or combined with an arrowhead so that it was no longer recognisable as "T".

The design is much used elsewhere. It appears in ornate versions on heraldic coats of arms, and in many decorative designs. Sometimes it is meant to represent a lance or spearhead, a lily (Fleur de Lys) and even a bee or a toad.

So, today, as the symbol continues to point the way for navigators so, all over the world, it points the way to service and brotherhood for all members of the Scout Movement.

Image taken from Ahmed Imad Mohamed. Information from WOSM site, & http://www.pinetreeweb.com/.

Suggestions for a Better Scouting in Maldives

Being a person who have learned a lot of values, skills and knowledge from the Scout Movement there is very little I can give back to the movement. But I want to express some ideas, suggestions and opinion. I just want to bring some of the issues to your attention!

The Scout Association of Maldives (SAM) needs dramatic change!! and these changes need to be FAST!! The Present Constitution and by laws of the Scout association needs to be amended as soon as possible!! I am aware that there had once been a strong enthusiastic work done to bring amendments to the Constitution and By-laws, however:

The present By Laws and Constitution followed by SAM which I believe is the one Adopted on 28th January 1984 and amended 23rd July 1993, 24th September 1994 and May 2001 ( I hope i am correct):
In this: CONSTITUTION OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF MALDIVES, Article 5 (Powers and Duties), Clause (b) say:

The Association has Power: - To Form Local Branches and Committees in all parts of Maldives, and to Organize courses, workshops, seminars, activities and Publish and sell or distribute papers, books, pamphlets and information for the purpose of stimulating interest in, and promoting the objects of the Association, and to take all other measures which may seem necessary for providing and maintaining an efficient organization for the purpose of the Association.

I think it is high time that the Scout Association Start decentralizing the organization. The Scout Association needs to broaden its activities and strengthen its program, to do so Local Branches need to be set up as soon as possible. Provincial Scout Headquarters with provincial Scout commissioners need to elected/appointed to over see, coordinate and organize Scout activities at a provisional/Local level. This will also attract more scout leaders and ultimately results will include increase in membership growth and attractive program etc... It can only then be an efficient organization.
Also,

The By-Laws are also required to be amended in order to exercise a more Democratic procedure in bringing together the National Executive Committee.

currently it states in

BY-LAWS, Article 4 (Chief commissioner) Clause (a) say:

The Chief Commissioner shall be elected by the National Scout Council and Shall be a person holding the wood badge or who has formerly served the National Movement in an Executive post for a medium of Six years. The appointment shall be for a term of three years and may at the end of that term be extended by resolution of the National Scout council for a second term of three years. Such appointment shall not exceed two consecutive terms. The Chief Commissioner shall be accountable to the president and the National Scout Council, and be responsible for the management of the affairs of the Association in accordance with its established policy.
BY-LAWS, Article 29 (Election of National Commisoners) Clause (a) say:

National Commissioners shall be elected by the Council and nominations shall be made by the executive committee. In case of any vacancy or due retirement from office of any National Commissioners, the Executive Committee shall send one nomination for each vacancy for elections to the Council within 21 days after any such vacancy or 45 days prior to any retirement. Such nominations must be sent to the council members in writing through the secretary and should state the name of office for which nominations are made and include the resume and and written consent of the nominee. The president shall then convene a meeting of the council within 15 days but 7 days after advising the nominations to all members, to hold elections.

I believe the election of the NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE should be held in the Annual General meeting where representatives/delegates from each and every registered scout group in Maldives should vote!! This a more democratic procedure. The current By-laws does not allow this. Therefore amending this is needed as soon as possible.
Also,

Involving Young Adults in decision making level is one of the priorities and resolutions passed in the World Scout Conference, it is important that there be a Youth representative/Young Adult member in all levels of decision making process in Scouting. Therefore there should also be amendments made to include Young Adults (18-26) in both the National Scout council and the National Executive Committee of the Association.

There are 5 Youth Advisers elected by the World Youth Forum to represent the Youth at world level. And there are 7 Young Adult Members elected from the APR Youth forum to represent the APR Youth at regional Level. this is also a best practice in many other NSO's as well!!

Also,

I believe there should be more powers vested on to the Annual General Meeting since this is the body where SCOUTING IN MALDIVES is actually represented! More powers should be vested upon it!!

Under BY-LAWS Article 15 (Annual General Meeting Of the Council) Clause (e) (the Business of the Annual General Meeting of the Scout Council Shall be:-) this has six sub Clauses.
Theis gives very limited job to the Annual general meeting.

If we look at the structure of the WOSM it clearly shows us that the decision making body is the World Scout Conference! Same goes in APR the APR regional Scout Conference is the top in Hierarchy. This is also the best practice of governing in most of the NSO's and it is a successful structure.

This should not only be applied for the National Executive Committee but also to the National Scout Council itself.

however first its necessary to draw up a guideline and rules of procedure for the AGM. (There should also be Local/provincial annual general meetings as well)

Also,

One major issue faced with the Association today is lack of resources, personnel and facility to run Scouting. We need to establish a more attractive program including the Youth section as well. There are not many Rovers in the country because of this. And a lot of leaders are leaving the movement.

Sub-committees need to function under each Commissioner!! this will provide more opportunity to both leaders and rovers to get involved in SAM. this is already on the By-Laws but I think the only effective sub-committee is the training team.

I also believe that the reason why some commissioners are INEFFECTIVE is due to this!! This can be achieved I believe as I have mentioned above by DECENTRALIZING SAM.

Also,

Rover scouts are among leaders, Rover Scouts are especially the young adult leaders aged between 18 and 24. They contribute themselves in units or troops by supporting unit leaders. On the other hands, they can organize their own Rover Scout Unit/Crew by themselves and do several challenging Rover Scout projects/program.

A National Rover Scout Committee/Council should be established in the SAM.
And it should consist of Young Adults as the decision making of young people is very important. The objective of this committee would be to set up and operate Rover Scout projects in the country. The committee can also be established both in national and local/provisional level. It becomes the bridge to recruit future leaders. This is a followed in many NSO's as well. This will increase the number of Rovers and prepare a more responsible generation of youth members to lead the Association in future.

There had also been a recommendation passed from the earlier Youth forum in Japan which recommended NSO's to organize National Youth Forums in the countries. Members to the National Rover Scout Committee/Council can be elected at the National Youth forum.

Also,

SAM should open up a National Scout fund so that it would help finance more scout activities in the country on national, provisional and individual group level. I am sure there are going to be a lot of people more than willing to contribute to a Scout fund if it is opened. Proper auditing and financial reports could be made. This is also successfully practiced in many NSO's.

Well these are not the only suggestions or things we need to look into, the list goes on. My point here is, Scouting in Maldives need HOPE!!! we need things to get better!!

I am just an admirer of the Scout Movement, All i want is to see Maldivian Scouting Bright and shinning as it once was.

Give Earth a Hand

3 hours in Queue -- BANG slammed the door -- LUNCH BREAK

Another beautiful Friday morning in Mysore, a calm usual day like any other, energetic lads enthusiastically heading to their busy occupations ...

10:24 ... and there was me making the usual the unusual ... fast steps ... almost running heading to College.

10:28 ... Ohh for gods sake ... there it was, couldn't believe my eyes!! it was "THE QUEUE" all the way down the hallway ... there must have been somewhat at least 70 - 80 in line. Didn't have much option there, it was either PAY EXAM FEES TODAY or expect the QUEUE to grow day by day up till the deadline!!!

10:30... the office door opens and it begins !!!

A guy comes ... "hey, get back you !! get back !!! Make sure its a single line !! wait for your turn !! no one out of the line get it!!" now that was a very clear command!! and so I waited in the line ... waiting for my turn ... Waiting in the single line ...... waiting ... waiting for my turn ... and waiting ....

10:50 ... Now I have a classmate who is actually the only other Maldivian in first year at the College, now this certain someone is a SHE!! she walks into the hallway waves at me and joins the "LADIES QUEUE" now this here is the part I really want to criticize on rights and equality... I have always been hearing WOMENS RIGHTS and EMANCIPATION of WOMEN .. EQUAL RIGHTS ... but here in this case the female species get served faster and quicker while the so called dominant male species stands in the line not being treated special!! 11:30 ... off she goes again waving me bye bye this time, her job done.

11: 31 ... One Hour and a minute in Queue and waiting .... waiting and more waiting ....

Something I found rather amazing being in the queue standing in a single line without being able to move about and without being able to move forward, not even a footstep. This happens to be a very normal thing for the locals here! apparently it looked as if they were enjoying it. Reminded me of the Maldivian saying said when a person or somepeople keep standing without sitting :-"hmm Sit down dude!! Are you standing there so that you can join the Army??" Well in this case here you ll have dozens ready for the Army!!

11:55 ... At last I was able to get 2 steps forward in line ... yey!! this was actually the first time I felt the queue even move...

Was so bored thought of sending a SMS to Haneef in Bangalore

my sms:

2 hours in line ... yet only 4 steps forward .. :(

Haneef's reply:

Fast steps in the field of development might lead to failure .. be optimistic :)

Yea right!!!

12:30 ... Two hours and and yet only 4 steps did the queue move .... Boring .... Slight movement ... very boring .... feeling hungry .... didn't have breakfast (wanted to go first in line and get it over and then come back home to have a good meal ... screw the idea) .... Ohh and I am suppose to have an ENGLISH Class NOW!!! ... hmmm ... English can wait ... Fees first!!!

12:45 ... waiting ..... waiting .... still waiting ... hmmmm .... zZzZZZzzzzZZz .... hmmm .... waiting and still waiting .... more waiting

13:05 ... lines moving ... getting a bit fast now!!!! good sign I guess !!

13:15 ... a guy walks marking a number on each students paper ... I happen to get 11 ... this was the queue up number ?? pretty soon to get one ...

13:20 ... "BANG" !!! DOORS SLAM SHUT .... "OFFICE CLOSED!! LUNCH BREAK!!" re-opening at 14:30!! all in queue please disperse !!!

..... what the **** ..... and there I was after 3 hours in the Queue ...

wasted 3 hours missed class and breakfast .... truly a broken man left the college heading home ....

Ohh I did come back latter anyway ... 13:05 tired and legs shaking after paying the fees and getting the application form ... sigh ... tomorrow yet again need to join the 'FORM SUBMITTING QUEUE" ...

President Mohamed Nasheed; CLIMATE HERO?

GREENPEACE .. Maldives, Island Kingdom Under Siege

Scout Association of Maldives Victim of Vandalism

I just got these Pictures from Male' from a very concerned friend. It seems the Scout Association has became a new Victim of Vandalism.

The Sign Board which read "The Scout Association of Maldives" (as seen from the top most picture which i took in early 2009)had been removed from the wall and now it finds it self leaning on to the wall resting on the ground.

The building "Bandaara Villa" happens over 50 years old and it is used both Majeediyya School; to house the School Principal on one side and by the Scout Association of Maldives as its main office in the country on the other side.

Earlier the walls of this building had graffiti all over it, being a Scout I remember in 2008 or 2007 (not very sure) I my self was part of a team of Scouts that re-painted the Association yet graffiti finds it self very prone to the walls of this very building.

I have also got information that the Scout Association did have an intention of replacing the board renaming it as the "National Headquarters of the Scout Association of Maldives". With the vandalized board the Association could put up the new board up soon.

However, I must say that these acts of Vandalism specially targeted to such Associations, Schools and government offices should be stopped and should not be encouraged. It is sad to see such acts becoming common in Maldives.

:)

Top most picture is a picture I had taken earlier 2009... the last three pictures were emailed to me from a concerned friend !!!

World Guiding Celebrates its Centenary (Mysore; The Baharat Scouts and Guides inaugurates Centenary Events)

The World Guiding Movement celebrates a centenary of Guiding today.

Sep 5, 1909 - On September 5th 1909 a small group of young women gate crashed the Boy scout rally at Crystal Palace Park in London and lobbied Robert Baden-Powell for ' something for the girls' and so started the Guiding movement.

1910 - Following its launch in 1910, the Guide Association grew not just into Girl guiding UK, the largest youth organisation for girls and young women in the UK, but also into a worldwide organisation with members in 145 countries.

In the early years of the 20th century, Robert Baden-Powell, a famous army general, tried out his ideas for training boys at a camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 and the following year published them in a book, Scouting for Boys. The book was an instant success and boys throughout the UK enthusiastically took up Scouting. As a result, Baden-Powell soon found himself organising the Boy Scout Movement.

At the Scouts' first rally, at the Crystal Palace in 1909, several small groups of girls turned up. They represented hundreds of other girls and insisted that they wanted to be Scouts too.

In an age when skirts were ankle length and young ladies never ran, the idea of girls being involved in camping, hiking and similar activities received a mixed response. Angry critics denounced 'girl scouting' as a 'mischievous new development', a 'foolish and pernicious movement' and an 'idiotic sport'.

However, Baden-Powell's letters from this time show that he had a scheme for girls in mind.
The pioneers who turned up at the 1909 Crystal Palace rally called themselves Girl Scouts, but when he founded the girls' movement, Baden-Powell decided that the name should change. He wanted to create a separate identity for the girls so that they could work for self-development independently, not in imitation of their brothers.

Baden - Powell remembered that he had been particularly impressed with some 'Guides' in India. These men had operated on the north-west frontier and their main task was to go on very dangerous expeditions. Even when they were off duty the Guides were still training their minds and bodies. With this in mind, he decided that 'Girl Guides' would be a good name for these pioneering young women.

In 1910 he formed the Girl Guides, asking his sister Agnes to look after the new organisation. A few years later his wife Olave became involved and, in 1918, was appointed Chief Guide.
Such was the enthusiasm for guiding that it soon spread worldwide and since those early days countless millions have made the Guide Promise. Today there are ten million girls and women involved in guiding worldwide.

Baharat Scouts and Guides Inaugurates Centenary Events in Mysore.

I was invited by the Baharat Scouts and Guides to their Centenary Inauguration Ceremony, in India Scouting and Guiding comes under one Association which is recognized by both WOSM and WAGGS . The Mysore District office announced that they will be conducting a series of events in the coming 3 years to mark the guiding centenary.

I was asked to address in this ceremony, where I wished all guides a very warm Greetings on this special centenary Celebrations. I have given my full support to the District office to give any assistance to Scouts and guides here.

I was also invited to attend to Bangalore inauguration event as well which was held at the Raj Bhavan Karnataka the official residency of the Governor, But Since today happense to be a College day i was unable to attend the ceremony, however fellow brother Scouter Hussain Mohamed Haneef did take part in the events and he tells me it was wonderful.

Centenary Celebrations in Maldives

This Morning it seems that the Guides started the celebrations by burying a Memorial Capsule at Aminiyya School.

Maldives Girl Guides Association is holding a Rally to Mark the 100 years Centenary celebrations and I was told by Haneef that tomorrow all Guiders will be wearing their Guide Uniform to work etc... and this will lead by Chief Guide the First lady of Maldives.

Once again I ll like wish all the Guides and Guiders around the world a very happy Centenary of Guiding !!!