Chandpur: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed the ministries and divisions concerned to increase infrastructural facilities for the expansion, development and strengthening the monitoring of scouting in every district.

The Prime Minister also promised to provide necessary government assistance to make scouts as eligible citizens of Bangladesh and lead the nation in the future and continue the country’s development programmes.

‘You must get yourselves ready as eligible citizens and work imbued with patriotism,’ she asked scouts while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 5-day long 6th National Community Development Camp (COMDECA) of Bangladesh Scouts at Haimchar, Chandpur.

She asked the rovers and scouts to further strengthen their service-oriented activities as well as reach the fruits of scouting at all levels through expanding scouting in educational institutions and community-based scouting.

Sheikh Hasina said directives have already been given to the authorities concerned to introduce at least two cub scout, scout and rover scout units in every educational institution as well as one girl-in- scout unit in each of the girls’ educational institutions and the institutions having co-education system.

She said the government wants the children to be well-educated with innovative ideas and good mentality as well as to root out terrorism, militancy and drug from society.

The Prime Minister said she renewed her call to guardians, parents, teachers, religious teachers and all concerned to create awareness so that the children could in no way be engaged in terrorism and drug addiction.

Terming today’s children and juveniles as the future leaders of the country, Hasina advised all to develop themselves as qualified citizens to lead the nation in the days to come.

The Prime Minister said the COMDECA is being held at a glorious moment when Bangladesh earned the international recognition of its graduation as a developing country.

Bangladesh has advanced another step ahead on the path of materialising the dream of the Father of the Nation and it is the result of hard work and long struggle of people, she said.

Elaborating various steps of her government for the development and expansion of Scout activities, Hasina said projects involving Tk 122 crore are underway to construct Shotabdi Bhaban and expand scouting.

Another project to expand CABBING in primary schools will be approved soon, she said adding that permission has also been given to use 95 acres of forest land for the purpose of National Scout Training.

The Prime Minister highly praised the role of scouts in various disasters and accidents and said their successful participation in various service-oriented activities and camps abroad brightened the image of the country.

She mentioned that Bangladesh achieved ‘Growth Award’ in the world Scout Conference 2017 for the growing number of scouts in the country.

Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on continuation of efforts to achieve further progress.

President of Bangladesh National Scouts and Principal Coordinator on SDG Abul Kalam Azad and Chief National

Commissioner and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr Mozammel Haque Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Ministers, PM’s Advisers, parliament members, local political leaders and officials of the local administration were present.

Later, the Prime Minister formally inaugurated the 6^th National COMDECA through releasing pigeons and balloons. On the occasion, she also released commemorative postage stamp, and also witnessed the displays of scouts.

Earlier on her arrival at the venue, a smart contingent of scouts gave the Prime Minister a flag-salute.

Some 70,000 scouts and rover scouts are taking part in this year’s COMDECA.