HISTORY OF PRATHAP SCOUT GROUP
First Group Leader
Mr. H. Ramanathan
First Group Leader (Scouts) It was in the year 1938, I passes out of Pachiyappa’s college as an Honours Graduate and was seeking for a suitable job. I was also involving myself in social activities. Thiru M.A.Nagarajan and Thiru T.S. Mani were active Scouters and they approached me with a request to head a scout group which they proposed to start, I was at first hesistant to take up the responsibility of leading a scout unit. My friends would not leave me and they persuaded me to get into scout uniform and attend the inaugural function which was held at the hallowed grounds of Vasantha Mandapam Chitrakulam west ward street, Mylapore, The start itself was very heady. Thiru S.R. Venkatraman, Headquarters commr. Hindustan scout Assocation and a leading light of the servants of India society invested me. From then on, I began to involve myself in Scouting in all earnestness. Close to our Headquarters at Mosque Street, Mylapore, Shivaji Scout Group was functioning very effectively under the astute leadership of Thiru Maitreya Dasan and his talented sister Smt. Shanthalakshmi Though late in the field the Prathap Scout Group was coming up quite rapidly and was soon on equal level with the Hindustan Scout Association. The high ups in Scouting with international repute were paying regular visits to the Prathap Scout Group and were impressed with the progress of the group Dame Laslie Whateley, Director, the World Bureau of girl Guides met the members of the group on 22-11-52 and complimented them on their fine record of work Later on, thanks to the move by the then Cub master Thiru T.S. Mani and Thiru R. Natesan, a Guide wing was added. The Guide Wings within a short time rose to commendable heights. Guiders Lilly Josephine, M. Rosali, Akila Natesan and S.V. Leela strove their best and paved the way for its pre-emience. The stalwarts with legendary fame, Thiru. V.S. Rathnasabapathy, Provincial Secretary wrote in the visitor’s Book. “The Prathap Scout Group is one of the best groups in the Presidency”. Thiru T.V. Neelakantam, the National Camp Chief has “The Prathap plan well and work it also well, the boys are under the splendid leadership and they are having real glimpses of Scouting. Sri K.A. Nachiappa Gounder, Provincial Commissioner observed “I am fully confident that merged All India Body, The Bharat Scouts & Guides. Wish all success to the group which produced four Hind Scouts out of the ten that can be claimed by the Madras States. Pandit Sri Ram Bajpal National Organising Commissioner was very close to the group and his laudatory references enthused the Scouters to hectic activity. They group had for its sectional officers Scouters with firm commitment in Scouting and with far reaching vision had foresight. M/s. A.S. Kasturi Rangan, T. Nagabhushanam, R.V. Raghavan, V.S. Srinivasan, T.K. Devadas, P. Panchanathan, D. Vedagiri, T.V. Krishnaswamy, R. Nagaswamy, R. Sankaran, A.V. Jeyachandran Ravi, A.V. Santhanam, A.V. Ranga Rajan, were its former Scouters who did their best to step up the efficiency of the group. The Officer’s Council was noted for its frank expression of views and every one had a say in decisions arrived at. The Patrol system was observed intensively. The Patrol Leaders earned encomiums all around for the superb way in which they conducted themselves. Among the ideal Patrol leaders mention may be made of K.S. Venkataraman R. Gopalakrishnan, M. Rama Rao, K. Rajagopalan, T. Nagabhushanam, R. Rajagopalan, V. Krishnaswami, A.V. Krishnamoorthy and T. Rama Gupta. The Group had the benefit of expert advice for senior advocated Thiru T.S. Vaidyanatha Iyer and S.V. Venkatasubramanian who were President of the Group Committee. The Group figured very prominently in the First All India Jamboree at Race Course Grounds, Secundrabad from 29th December 1953 to 2nd January 1954. The Group leader (S) had the privilege of serving as the Depty Leader of the Auxilary Camp of Jamboree. Since then the Group has been deputing its Scouts and Rovers to take part in all the Jamborees until now In the XI Jamboree that was recently held in Bhopal from 3rd to 9th Jan 1990 our scouts including Thiru G. Palaniappan Thiru R. Raju and Thiru M. Venkatagiri took part. The group is noted for its balanced yearly programme of work, study, play, adventure and service. A lot of responsibility is now cast upon the shoulders of Thiru. K. Rajagopalan its present scout Master who works with meticulous care and precision and has sustained the group with amazing consistency. With the grace of the Lord the Group with its accumulated tradition is continuing its onward wail without break making the element of scouting real in the lives of hundreds of boys and girls who have come under its loving care Second Group Leader
Mr. K. Rajagopalan
The heart beat of Mr. K. Rajagopalan was scouting. He was in Class VIII studying in P.S. Secondary School, when he joined the Scouting movement. Born on 25th August, 1924, he was a person totally involved and dedicated to scouting. A person who joined Prathaps Scout group, worked for Prathaps and died as Prathapian. Till he did his S.S.L.C he was an active scout of Prathaps, doing services and learning a lot from his group leaders and members. He did his Intermediate at St. Joseph’s college, Trichy, and continued his scout activities during weekends in Chennai.
Then there was a break for almost 2 years when he joined a job. He got a government job in All India Radio and was posted in Mumbai. In Mumbai he was eager to work as a scout and finally he managed to get a group of people and they started the scouting at two schools (for Tamilians) at Matunga and Mulund. Though he was working in shifts, he still managed to contribute a lot of time for scouting. For nearly 11 years (1956 – 1967) he had a group of active scouts. Again there was a break for 2 years when he got transferred to Goa. There he could not get hold of any school to start scouting. Before he could adjust himself in Goa, he got transferred to Trichy. Now as a happy person he always found time to travel to Chennai to meet his old scout friends and class mates. As he had to travel a long way to his office in Trichy, he could not contact many schools to promote scouting. In 1974, he got transferred to Guwahati (Assam). Here after one year, he contacted the Kendriya Vidyalaya (in the city) to start scouting. To his surprise, scouting already existed there but there was nobody to guide them. He took this opportunity seriously and sincerely conducted classes to both scouts and guides. Being a hilly region, he actually trained the Scout master and the Guide captain also to organize number of hikes, camps and trekking. I, Rajashree Rajagopalan, his daughter had the opportunity to get training under him as a guide during this period. All the scouts and guides enjoyed the period of 3 years and under this guidance learn to live with what is available. This has helped me in leading a peaceful family life now. Many of them got first class badge and nearly 5 – 10 proficiency badges. Now, again God changed his life by transferring him to Chennai in 1978. Here he started training the scouts and guides at Kendriya Vidyalaya, HVF, Avadi. The Principal Mr. Shanmugam was so impressed with my father that he introduced him to many other scout masters of various other Kendriya Vidyalas. Later this led to a strong relationship with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangattan. Slowly, he was reaching his retirement age and he started to meet his old friends thus entering into Prathaps around 1982. He wanted to revive this group completely and he succeeded with the help of his old classmates, friends and other Prathap scouters. He made them attend the meetings, camps – especially camp fires and also collected a sum which was invested in fixed deposits – the interest being used for scout activities. The list of his old friends is huge and I donot want to mention a few as all were equal to him. To enroll students for cubs/bulbuls, scouts/guides and rovers/rangers, he started meeting many school Principals, convincing them about the importance of scouting. This started to revive Prathaps with new youngsters of which many are still active as Rovers and are the leaders of todays Prathaps scout group. My father also served as the District Commissioner (Scouts) and developed scouting in a good number of private schools in and around Chennai. “Thaiyar” was a magazine published in 1960’s but discontinued through the years. He revived this and published it regularly giving information about the activities happening during the period. He also published books on estimation and compass which was useful for the students to obtain proficiency badges in that field. He started services during important occasions like Arubhathi Moovar Utsavam at Kapaleeswarar temple, Music season at Mylapore Fine Arts Club, etc. His capacity of organizing camps is extremely amazing. He plans and executes it. He was a very good cook. His capacity to use various knots for innovative creations was adorable. He motivated scouts and guides with his blissful yells. People never felt his old age as he was always very active. He was not a President scout but he trained many President scouts. He has attended Jambooree’s and won the Himalayan wood badge. Rajagopalan was a person who obeyed all the scout laws. He was trustworthy, loyal, friend to all, brother to every other scout and guide, courteous, friend to animals, nature lover, disciplined, protects public property, courageous, thrifty, pure in thought, word and deed. A lot more can be spoken about him, but a small remembrance about him made me write this. I am so lucky to be his daughter. A person who never spoke ill of anybody, never spoke unnecessarily, a good planner, sincere in his work and punctual to everything, died as a Prathapian on 25th October, 2009. The 75th year of Prathap Scout group’s celebrations shows that His wish of taking Prathaps to a high level is truly happening. My wishes to all the Prathaps and I pray to God that they celebrate the 100th year also. RAJASHREE .R MAHARANA PRATHAP - OUR HEROIntroduction
Maharana Pratap Singh, is a name worth remembering to begin one’s day with. His name is engraved with gold among the list of valiant kings who protected the Nation, Dharma, Culture and Freedom ofthis country by sacrificing his life ! This is a holy remembrance of his valour ! Who does not know the name of the great king of Mewar, Maharana Pratap Singh? In the history ofIndia, this name has always proved to be motivating for qualities like valour, bravery, sacrifice andmartyrdom. Many brave warriors like Bappa Rawal, Rana Hamir, Rana Sang were born unto the Sisodiya family of Mewar and were given the title of ‘Rana’ but the title of ‘Maharana’ was only bestowed on Pratap Singh. Childhood Maharana Pratap was born in 1540. Rana Uday Singh, the Second, of Mewar had 33 children. Amongthem, the eldest was Pratap Singh. Self-respect and virtuous behaviour were the main qualities of Pratap Singh. He was bold and brave right from his childhood and everyone was sure that he was going to be a very valiant person as he grew up. He was more interested in sports and learning towield weapons rather than general education. Coronation During Maharana Pratap Singh’s time, Akbar was the Mughal Ruler in Delhi. His policy was to makeuse of the strength of Hindu kings to bring other Hindu Kings under his control. Many Rajput kings, abandoning their glorious traditions and fighting spirit, sent their daughters and daughters-in-law to the harem of Akbar with the purpose of gaining rewards and honour from Akbar. Uday Singh appointed before his death, Jagammal, the son of his youngest wife as his heir although Pratap Singh was elder to Jagammal but he was ready to give up his rights like Prabhu Ramchandra and go away from Mewar but the chieftains did not at all agree with their king’s decision. Besides they were of the opinion that Jagammal did not possess qualities like courage and self-respect which were essential in a leader and king. Hence it was collectively decided that Jagammal would have to sacrifice the throne. Maharana Pratap Singh too gave due respect to the wish of the chieftains and the people and accepted the responsibility of leading the people of Mewar. The enemy had surrounded Mewar at all its’ boundaries. Shakti Singh and Jagammal, the two brothers of Maharana Pratap had joined Akbar. The first problem was to gather enough soldiers to fight a face-to-face war which would have required vast money but Maharana Pratap’s coffers were empty whereas Akbar had a large army, a lot of wealth and a lot more at his disposal. Maharana Pratap, however, did not get distracted or lose heart nor did he ever say that he was weak as compared to Akbar. His only concern was to immediately free his motherland from the clutches of the Mughals. One day, he called a meeting of his trusted chieftains and made an appeal to them in his serious and lustrous speech. He said, “My brave warrior brothers, our Motherland, this holy land of Mewar, is still under the clutches of the Mughals. Today, I take an oath in front of all of you that till Chittod is freed, I will not have food in gold and silver plates, will not sleep on a soft bed and will not stay in the palace; instead I will eat food on a leaf-platter, sleep on the floor and stay in a hut. I will also not shave till Chittod is freed. My brave warriors, I am sure that you will support me in every way sacrificing your mind, body and wealth till this oath is fulfilled.” All the chieftains were inspired with the oath of their king and they too promised him that till their last drop of blood, they would help Rana Pratap Singh to free Chittod and join him in fighting the Mughals; they would not retreat from their goal. They assured him, “Rana, be sure that we all are with you; waiting only for your signal and we are ready to sacrifice our life.” Battle of Haldighat Akbar tried his best to bring Rana Pratap under his clutches; but all in vain. Akbar got angry as no compromise could be arrived at with Rana Pratap and he declared a war. Rana Pratap also started preparations. He shifted his capital to Kumbhalgad in the Aravalli range of mountains which was difficult to access. He recruited tribal people and people dwelling in forests in his army. These people had no experience of fighting any war; but he trained them. He appealed to all Rajput chieftains to come under one flag for Mewar’s independence. Rana Pratap’s army of 22,000 soldiers met 2,00,000 soldiers of Akbar at Haldighat. Rana Pratap and his soldiers exhibited great valour in this battle although he had to retreat but Akbar’s army was not successful in completely defeating Rana Pratap. Along with Rana Pratap, his faithful horse named ‘Chetak’ also became immortal in this battle. ‘Chetak’ was seriously injured in the battle of Haldighat but to save his master’s life, it jumped over a big canal. As soon as the canal was crossed, ‘Chetak’ fell down and died thus it saved Rana Pratap, risking its own life. The strong Maharana cried like a child over the death of his faithful horse. Later he constructed a beautiful garden at the place where Chetak had breathed its last. Then Akbar himself attacked Rana Pratap but even after 6 months of fighting the battle, Akbar could not defeat Rana Pratap and went back to Delhi. As a last resort, Akbar sent another great warrior General Jagannath in the year 1584 with a huge army to Mewar but after trying relentlessly for 2 years, even he could not catch Rana Pratap. Severe destiny Wandering in the jungles and valleys of the mountains, Maharana Pratap used to take even his family with him. There always used to be the danger of the enemy attacking at anytime from anywhere. Getting proper food to eat was an ordeal in the forests. Many times, they had to go without food; they had to wander from one place to another without food and sleep in the mountains and forests. They had to leave the food and immediately proceed to another place on receiving information about the enemy’s arrival. They were constantly trapped in some catastrophe or the other. Once the Maharani was roasting ‘bhakris (Indian bread)’ in the forest; after eating their share, she asked her daughter to keep the left over ‘bhakri’ for dinner but at that time, a wild cat attacked and took away the piece of ‘bhakri’ from her hand leaving the princess crying helplessly. That piece of ‘bhakri’ was also not in her destiny. Rana Pratap felt sorry to see the daughter in such state; he got angry with his valour, bravery and self-respect and started thinking whether all his fighting and bravery was worth it. In such a wavering state of mind, he agreed to call a truce with Akbar. A poet named Pruthviraj from Akbar’s court, who was an admirer of Maharana Pratap, wrote a long letter in the form of a poem to him in Rajasthani language boosting his morale and dissuading him from calling a truce with Akbar. With that letter, Rana Pratap felt as if he had acquired the strength of 10,000 soldiers. His mind became calm and stable. He gave up the thought of surrendering to Akbar, on the contrary, he started strengthening his army with more intensity and once again immersed himself in accomplishing his goal. Devotion of Bhamashah There was a Rajput chieftain serving as a minister in the regime of forefathers of Maharana Pratap. He was very much disturbed with the thought that his king had to wander in forests and was going through such hardships. He felt sorry to know about the difficult times Rana Pratap was going through. He offered a lot of wealth to Maharana Pratap that would allow him to maintain 25,000 soldiers for 12 years. Rana Pratap was very happy and felt very grateful. Initially, he refused to accept the wealth offered by Bhamashah but at his constant insistence, he accepted the offering. After receiving wealth from Bhamashah, Rana Pratap started receiving money from other sources. He used all the money to expand his army and freed Mewar except Chittod which was still under the control of the Mughals. Last wish Maharana Pratap was lying on the bed made of grass even when he was dying as his oath of freeing Chittod was not still fulfilled. At the last moment, he took his son Amar Singh’s hand and handed over the responsibility of freeing Chittod to his son and died in peace. There is no comparison in history to his fight with a cruel emperor like Akbar. When almost the whole of Rajasthan was under the control of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, Maharana Pratap fought for 12 years to save Mewar. Akbar tried various means to defeat Maharana but he remained unbeatable till the end. Besides, he also freed a large portion of land in Rajasthan from the Mughals. He underwent so much of hardship but he preserved the name of his family and his Motherland from facing defeat. His life was so bright that the other name for freedom could have been ‘Maharana Pratap’. We pay tribute in his valiant memory! B-P - Chief Scout of the World
Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell (1857-1941) was a decorated soldier, talented artist, actor and free-thinker. Best known during his military career for his spirited defense of the small South African township of Mafeking during the Boer War, he was soon to be propelled to extraordinary fame as the Founder of Scouting.GROWING UPRobert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, known as B-P, was born at 6 Stanhope Street (now 11, Stanhope Terrace) Paddington, London on 22nd February 1857. He was the sixth son and the eighth of ten children of the Reverend Baden Powell, a Professor at Oxford University.
His father died when B-P was only three years old and the family were left none too well off.B-P was given his first lessons by his mother and later attended Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells, where he gained a scholarship for admittance to Charterhouse School. Charterhouse School was in London when B-P first attended but whilst he was there it moved to Godalming in Surrey, a factor which had great influence later in his life. He was always eager to learn new skills and played the piano and the violin. While at Charterhouse he began to exploit his interest in the arts of scouting and woodcraft.In the woods around the school B-P would hide from his masters as well as catch and cook rabbits, being careful not to let tell-tale smoke give his position away. The holidays were not wasted either. With his brothers he was always in search of adventure. One holiday they made a yachting expedition round the south coast of England. On another, they traced the Thames to its source by canoe. Through all this Baden-Powell was learning the arts and crafts which were to prove so useful to him professionally.Not known for his high marks at school, B-P nevertheless took an examination for the Army and placed second among several hundred applicants. He was commissioned straight into the 13th Hussars, bypassing the officer training establishments. Later he became their Honorary Colonel.MILITARY LIFEIn 1876 he went to India as a young army officer and specialised in scouting, map-making and reconnaissance. His success soon led to his training other soldiers. B-P's methods were unorthodox for those days; small units or patrols working together under one leader, with special recognition for those who did well. For proficiency, B-P awarded his trainees badges resembling the traditional design of the north compass point. Today's universal Scout badge is very similar.Later he was stationed in the Balkans, South Africa and Malta. He returned to Africa to help defend Mafeking during its 217-day siege at the start of the Boer war. It provided crucial tests for B-P's scouting skills. The courage and resourcefulness shown by the boys in the corps of messengers at Mafeking made a lasting impression on him. In turn, his deeds made a lasting impression in England.Returning home in 1903 he found that he had become a national hero. He also found that the small handbook he had written for soldiers ("Aids to Scouting") was being used by youth leaders and teachers all over the country to teach observation and woodcraft.He spoke at meetings and rallies and whilst at a Boys' Brigade gathering he was asked by its Founder, Sir William Smith, to work out a scheme for giving greater variety in the training of boys in good citizenship.BEGINNINGS OF THE MOVEMENTB-P set to work rewriting "Aids to Scouting", this time for a younger audience. In 1907 he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, to try out his ideas. He brought together 22 boys, some from private schools and some from working class homes, and took them camping under his leadership. The whole world now knows the results of that camp."Scouting for Boys" was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts. Sales of the book were tremendous. Boys formed themselves into Scout Patrols to try out ideas. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organisations became the handbook of a new and ultimately worldwide Movement. B-P's great understanding of boys obviously touched something fundamental in the youth of England and worldwide. "Scouting for Boys" has since been translated into more than 35 languages.Without fuss, without ceremony and completely spontaneously, boys began to form Scout Troops all over the country. In September 1908 Baden-Powell had set up an office to deal with the large number of enquiries which were pouring in.Scouting spread quickly throughout the British Empire and to other countries until it was established in practically all parts of the world.He retired from the army in 1910, at the age of 53, on the advice of King Edward VII who suggested that he could now do more valuable service for his country within the Scout Movement.With all his enthusiasm and energy were now directed to the development of Boy Scouting and Girl Guiding, he travelled to all parts of the world, wherever he was most needed, to encourage growth and give inspiration.In 1912 he married Olave Soames who was his constant help and companion in all this work. They had three children (Peter, Heather and Betty). Lady Olave Baden-Powell was later known as World Chief Guide.CHIEF SCOUT OF THE WORLDThe first international Scout Jamboree took place at Olympia, London in 1920. At its closing scene B-P was unanimously acclaimed as Chief Scout of the World.At the third World Jamboree, held in Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, England, the Prince of Wales announced that B-P would be given Peerage by H.M. the King. The news was received with great rejoicing. B-P took the title of Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell; Gilwell Park being the international training centre he had created for Scout leaders.B-P wrote no fewer than 32 books. He received honorary degrees from at least six Universities. In addition, 28 foreign orders and decorations and 19 foreign Scout awards were bestowed upon him.In 1938, suffering from ill-health, B-P returned to Africa, which had meant so much in his life, to live in semi-retirement at Nyeri, Kenya. Even there he found it difficult to curb his energies, and he continued to produce books and sketches.On January 8th, 1941, at 83 years of age, B-P died. He was buried in a simple grave at Nyeri within sight of Mount Kenya. On his head-stone are the words "Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the World" surmounted by the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Badges. Lady Olave Baden-Powell carried on his work, promoting Scouting and Girl Guiding around the world until her death in 1977. She is buried alongside Lord Baden-Powell at Nyeri |
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