M'lore: Young Scouts and Guides in Tune with Nature at Kottari Island
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/NR)
Pics: Ganesh S Perla
Mangalore, Jan 30: All around young children are seen playing happily with nature, blissfully oblivious to the world outside. Although the river Netravati separates this exotic island from the other parts of the state, that is the least of the children's worries who don't seem to have the inclination to leave this place.
Kottari Kudru (island), which is close to National Highway 48 at Kannur near Adyar here has turned into a dreamland for the 750-odd school children who have come here from different parts of the state to participate in the state-level scouts and guides camp. The camp heads here are busy teaching the children to learn from mother nature. It is no wonder then that children here are so much in tune with nature, that they can, so to speak, smell its real fragrance, thus adding a touch of magic to the whole atmosphere here.
The Kottari Island covered with lush greenery and sparkling sand distributed evenly all over is actually spread over 100 acres of land, with its scenic beauty attracting myriad visitors in droves. The organizers here have worked ceaselessly for a whole month to make this place fit for the said scouts and guides camp. The island looks neat after clearing off all herbs and shrubs with the river flowing around it and the hills in the background. A large number of tents have been pitched and all arrangements done to precision. The camp got underway on Monday January 28.
The moot point is why Kottari Island for this kind of a camp ?
Well to begin with, if one were to trace back the history of the scouts and guides, it all began a 100 years ago precisely on the days between August 1 to 9 in the year 1907. It is recorded that the founder of this organization Briton Badon Powell conducted the first boys’ scouts camp in Brownsea Island in London, thereby paving the way for boys and girls for nation and world peace. Today the scouts and guides is a household name, having spread its wings all over the world. It is mainly to commemorate the first camp which was conducted at Brownsea Island a century ago, that this camp has now been organized at Kottari Island.
Scouts and guides from all parts of the state have therefore converged on this island to celebrate the scouting centenary and recreate the first camp organized way back in 1907. More than 750 students and hundreds of teachers have joined here to make the camp successful. All the necessary facilities including kitchen, tents for stay, stage etc have been arranged here. Even emergency medical service, fire fighters and police security has been provided to avoid any unforeseen crisis.
To give an idea about the camp children are seen busy arranging the things inside the tents, cleaning, playing and participating in group activities. In the evening, they showcased their talents by the camp fire side. For Shwetha of Kollegal in Chamarajnagar district, this camp is a totally new experience as Shwetha never even in her wildest dreams ever expected this kind of thrill and excitement. The water games, creation of different kinds of arts in sands and the wide variety of trees has totally fascinated her. The display of adventurous activities by the sniffer dogs have made many to sit up and take notice of the tremendous ability and the discipline of the dogs.
It was truly an opportunity given to the students by the camp heads to mingle with nature. According to M G Kaje, director of the camp, the children here are genuinely enjoying the camp. Moreover, for most of the students who come here, it is their first experience. Though huge expenditure and effort has been involved in conducting this camp, the heartfelt response of the children has made it truly worthwhile, he disclosed with pleasure.
This scouts and guide camp which was inaugurated on Monday January 28, will conclude on January 31 morning, with an all religion prayer. It seems pretty obvious that the sweet memories which the students will take home once they leave this place, will long remain etched in their memory which in fact can never ever be evaluated in terms of money.