Scouting years

For over eight years I ran a Boy Scout troop in my home city of Pune in India. My troop was one of the finest in the city, possibly in country. We have won many awards in National Jamborees and have been invited several times to build pioneering projects and demonstrate adventure activities. Eleven of of my scouts went on to win the top Scouting awards, the equivalent of Eagle Scout in the BSA.

Scouting is one of the finest movements for young adults. Started by Lord Baden-Powell (BP) of Gilwell in 1908, it has now become one of the largest youth organizations on the planet. I was lucky to be a scout in the oldest troop in India, one started by a close friend of BP, Captain Todd, just a few days after the first troop in England. I had the most wonderful scoutmaster, Mr. Tino Fernandez, who died in 2000 of a massive heart attack while organizing a feast-day for a local orphanage.

I started my own troop in 1993. It was sponsored by Jesuit Fathers of St.Vincent's, who kindly allowed us to use their grounds for our weekly meetings. My troop grew in numbers, and there were times when I had to turn boys away simply because I had too many scouts already. Our meetings were busy with a range of activities: adventure activities, pioneering projects, first-aid, camping, hiking, presentation competitions, fine literature, among other things, kept us on our toes. We hiked very often, even in the rainy season, visiting many hill forts in our state. I ran my troop on the original model proposed by Baden-Powell and found it more enjoyable than what often passes as "modern" or "reformed" scouting.

Scouting in India is rather different than in the US. Religion is not emphasized: in fact the Scout Promise explicitly makes provisions for people of different beliefs, or no belief in a personal God. Recently, mixed boy and girls troops have also been formed, with many such co-ed troops being led by women. Overall, it is more inclusive and accommodating than most Scouting organizations in the world.

I look back at my years running the troop fondly: I met some wonderful people, had some great adventures and made, I hope, a difference in the lives of many boys. I would like nothing better than to start such a troop again, this time in the US, which, given my own development in the past few years, would be much better than my old troop.


	Scouting years Scouting years For over eight years I ran a Boy Scout troop in my home city of Pune in India. My troop was one of the finest in the city, possibly in country. We have won many awards in National Jamborees and have been invited several times to build pioneering projects and demonstrate adventure activities. Eleven of of my scouts went on to win the top Scouting awards, the equivalent of Eagle Scout in the BSA. Scouting is one of the finest movements for young adults. Started by Lord Baden-Powell (BP) of Gilwell in 1908, it has now become one of the largest youth organizations on the planet. I was lucky to be a scout in the oldest troop in India, one started by a close friend of BP, Captain Todd, just a few days after the first troop in England. I had the most wonderful scoutmaster, Mr. Tino Fernandez, who died in 2000 of a massive heart attack while organizing a feast-day for a local orphanage. I started my own troop in 1993. It was sponsored by Jesuit Fathers of St.Vincent's, who kindly allowed us to use their grounds for our weekly meetings. My troop grew in numbers, and there were times when I had to turn boys away simply because I had too many scouts already. Our meetings were busy with a range of activities: adventure activities, pioneering projects, first-aid, camping, hiking, presentation competitions, fine literature, among other things, kept us on our toes. We hiked very often, even in the rainy season, visiting many hill forts in our state. I ran my troop on the original model proposed by Baden-Powell and found it more enjoyable than what often passes as "modern" or "reformed" scouting. Scouting in India is rather different than in the US. Religion is not emphasized: in fact the Scout Promise explicitly makes provisions for people of different beliefs, or no belief in a personal God. Recently, mixed boy and girls troops have also been formed, with many such co-ed troops being led by women. Overall, it is more inclusive and accommodating than most Scouting organizations in the world. I look back at my years running the troop fondly: I met some wonderful people, had some great adventures and made, I hope, a difference in the lives of many boys. I would like nothing better than to start such a troop again, this time in the US, which, given my own development in the past few years, would be much better than my old troop.