GCU revivifies scouting in Lahore

Lahore: The Government College University, Lahore Rovers Club Thursday revivified the scouting in Lahore by organizing the four-day All Pakistan Scouts and Volunteers Gala 2014 in collaboration with Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Punjab and Civil Defense Lahore.

The GCU Rovers Club established ‘Camp City’ at the university’s Cricket Ground, where more than 500 scouts from all over Pakistan `are attending the national festival being held on theme “let’s change our destiny through social services.”

This is the biggest scout event in Lahore after National Scout Jamboree which was held in 1985 in the Nishtar Park Lahore,” said GCU Rovers Club Advisor Dr Moshin Javed while addressing the opening of Scouts and Volunteers Gala. He added that no major scouting event was held in the city during the last two decades.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman inaugurated the Scouts’ Camp City where 44 scout teams have set up their camps to participate in trainings for four days. Deputy Inspector General Jawad Ahmad Dogar, who was the President of GCU Rovers Club in 1991, was the ‘Guest of Honor’ at the opening ceremony which was also attended by a large number of former scouts of GCU.

GCU Rovers Club President Hafiz Ateeq-ur-Rahman said it was the first time that scouts would be imparted civil defence, rescue, first aid and national disaster management training during their camping. “Usually, only scout training is provided to them,” he added.

He said a group of the physically-impaired students of Al-Ajam Welfare was also participating in the event besides the scouts of Agriculture University, Faisalabad, UET Lahore, Punjab University, BZU Multan, UVAS Lahore and Kurram Agency, Fata.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Rahman regretted that in this age of computers and mobiles, students had lost their interest in social services and welfare activities. However, he said, GCU would continue play its role of the character building of students. He said he was himself a scout in his school age and had great interest that his students should also participate in social service activities.

He also called upon the Red Crescent Society to make itself more vibrant and involve university students in its humanitarian actives.

The Vice Chancellor, to encourage his students, took the life-time membership of Red Crescent Society.

Speaking on the occasion, DIG Jawad Ahmad Dogar said that scouting was complete practical education in itself and increased physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual potentials of individuals and made them responsible citizens. He believed that scouting should be made compulsory for all the students.