Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) presents warrant of appoint/patta and administers Scout Guide Promise to new office bearers of UT Ladakh State Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Leh, March 4, 2025: The UT of Ladakh State Association of the Bharat Scouts and Guides was formally launched with the presentation of the warrant of appointment and honour of patta and administration of Scout Guide Promise to the officer bearers by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) in the presence of First Lady Smt Neelam Mishra; Chief National Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG), Dr KK Khandelwal and officials from UT Ladakh and BSG at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat.
The HLG is the Chief Patron and President of UT of Ladakh State Association of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, with Chief Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, as the Patron and Principal Secretary, Sanjiv Khirwar, IAS, as the Vice-Patron. The new office bearers of UT of Ladakh State Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides are Principal Secretary, Sanjiv Khirwar, IAS; Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Vikram Singh Malik, IAS; Director, School Education, Tsering Paldan, JKAS; Under Secretary, Education, Sumera Shafi, JKAS and Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Tahir Hussain, JKAS.
Speaking at the event, the HLG expressed his happiness to be a part of the programme as the new chapter of Bharat Scouts and Guides is being opened in Ladakh. Calling Bharat Scouts and Guides an ideal organisation, the HLG commended the organisation for promoting services before self and for promoting culture, cooperation and devotion towards the nation among others. Stating that scouting means intelligence collection in Army language, he mentioned that guiding means to help and reiterated the need to scout and provide help wherever required.
Commending for keeping the organisation’s status apolitical, the HLG praised Bharat Scouts and Guides for helping in personality and nation-building. He also asked the top officials of Bharat Scouts and Guides to raise awareness about the Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Indian constitution among its members. He also commended Bharat Scouts and Guides members for their role and contribution in organising national-level events.
On the occasion, the HLG highlighted the issue of feral dog menace in society and asked if Bharat Scouts and Guides members can help in raising awareness to tackle the issue. The HLG also assured to provide all possible assistance to promote the organisation as a movement and not merely as an organisation as it would help in the personality development of Ladakhi youth. He also thanked Bharat Scouts and Guides for opening its chapter in Ladakh.
The HLG also administered the Scout Guide Promise to the new office bearers of UT of Ladakh Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Chief National Commissioner, BSG, Dr KK Khandelwal, apprised the HLG of BSG being one of the largest youth organisations in the world, with the highest number of girls members in the world. He informed the HLG about the celebration of the diamond jubilee of Bharat Scouts and Guides as the organisation came into being on 7th November 1950 after the merger of the Boy Scouts Association in India and the Hindustan Scout Association. He also informed that members are provided military and life skills and trained in community services.
Dr KK Khandelwal expressed gratitude to the HLG for being the patron and president of UT of Ladakh State Association of the Bharat Scouts and Guides and hoped that the Ladakh chapter would thrive under his guidance.
Dr KK Khandelwal presented State byelaws and Charter of Affiliation of UT Ladakh State Association of Bharat Scouts and Guides to the HLG.
National Commissioner (Spl Programme), BSG, Wing Commander MM Joshi gave the vote of thanks.
A video on BSG Diamond Jubilee Jamboree activities was screened on the occasion.
Principal Secretary, Sanjiv Khirwar, IAS; Commissioner/Secretary to the HLG, Dr L Franklin, IAS; Under Secretary, Education, Sumera Shafi, JKAS; Joint Director, YSS, Tahir Hussain, JKAS; Chief Education Officer, Leh, Sonam Angchuk; OSD to Secretary YSS, Dr Stanzin Thakchos; District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Leh, Tsering Tashi; DYSSO Kargil, Abid Hussain and officials/members of Bharat Scouts and Guides were present in the meeting.