Udaipur: An 89-member divisional-level Scout and Guide contingent returned to Udaipur after participating in the 10-day (residential) 26th Rashtriya Katha Camp, held from December 27 to January 4 at Pransla (Rajkot), Gujarat. The camp was organized by the Vedic Mission Trust, Rajkot, in Pransla town of Rajkot district.

As per the orders of the Education Department and the Joint Director, School Education, Udaipur, students studying in various government schools across all districts of the division—who are trained in Scouts, NCC, and NSS—were selected and sent to the camp. Chandrashekhar Joshi, Nodal Officer and Joint Director, School Education, Udaipur, informed that the contingent included 31 boys and 30 girls from Hindustan Scouts of Udaipur district, along with three Scout in-charges and three Guide in-charges (total 67). In addition, a 10-member Hindustan Scout team from Chittorgarh district and a 12-member Bharat Scout team from Rajsamand district also participated, making the total strength 89 members.

Divisional Contingent In-charge and Physical Education Teacher Gopal Lal Mehta Menaria stated that the camp provided training and awareness to prepare students to face current and future threats to the nation. This was done through exhibitions and drills by the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary forces, presentations by ISRO, demonstrations of indigenously manufactured weapons and defense equipment used in warfare, and insights from agencies such as DRDO, along with interactions with national think tanks and senior defense officials.

On December 29, Scouts and Guides from the Udaipur Division and Sirohi district of Hindustan Scout and Guide Rajasthan State took responsibility for meal management and service duties during lunchtime, rendering dedicated service to participants.

During the camp, in-charge teachers from Rajasthan and all other states and Union Territories, who accompanied Scouts, NCC, and NSS students from across the country, were honored with shawls by the camp’s chief speaker, Retired Indian Army General G.D. Bakshi, along with other distinguished guests.

The camp featured guidance and addresses from several eminent personalities, including 26th Chief of the Indian Navy Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, Supreme Court Judge Dinesh Maheshwari, Dr. Raj Rajendran, Scientist at the Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Satellite Centre, an officer from the Central Revenue Department (Direct Taxes/ED) Meena, and renowned actor Mukesh Khanna, famous for his role in *Shaktimaan* and as Bhishma in the *Mahabharat* television series.

 

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