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 !!!