Associations' / Institutions' News

By Fr. Joslie Francis D'silva

Brahmavar, Oct 10 : The Bharat Scouts and Guides unit in Nirmala English Medium School was founded by Mrs Irine Pereira in the year 2007-08. At present NEMS has 42 Scouts and 27 Guides the total number is 69. They the 37 Scouts and 23 Guides along with two Scout Masters Fr. Joslie Francis D’silva and Mr Manu and two Guide Leaders Mrs. Irine Pereira and Mrs. Rama began their journey at 7.00 am on October 8, 2018 from Brahmavar to Moodbidri for hiking / trekking.

Saavira Kambada Basadi : When they reached temple town of Moodbidri at 9.30 am, they entered into a Historical place called Saavira Kambada Basadi (Jain temple noted for its 1000 pillars). The temple is also known as “Chandranatha Temple” since it honors the Tirthankara Chandraprabha, whose eight-foot idol is worshipped in this shrine. From here they proceed to Konaje Kallu.

Konaje Kallu : Konaje is a village in Dakshina Kannada (South Canara). It is located 41 km from Mangalore city and 7 km from Moodbidri, on the way to Shirthady-Naravi Road. Konaje Kallu is a large granite Monolith. One wonders how the British Sailors were able to see the peak of the stones from the Arabian Sea and called it as Ass's ears! It is a challenge for rock climbers since it has no footholds and will be a trekker’s paradise. The words that can best describe it would be beauty with green woods and brooks and the beast.

Their entire troop of Scouts and Guides reached at the foot of Konje kallu at 10.30 am and it was time for breakfast.

Their trekking began at 10.45 am. Though there were many foot paths in every direction yet it was not very difficult for them to find the path to the top. When they were climbing up 800 meter on the top they could find a beautiful pond with clean spring water and fish in it. It took an hour to reach the bottom of the huge rock. The Big Rock gives the shelter for some sages. Soon after reaching there, one of the ascetics asked them to have the water. They wondered at the huge rock caves as their shelter! They had built some rooms. they could see some electronic lights. they thought they were using the charging lights. But when they climbed up the same huge rock, could see a Solar Panel used for the Electronic Lights!

Climbing up on that Rock itself is a risky task. There is a thick forest on the rock and walking between the woods was a wonderful experience. They could see some monkeys on the rock. One of the girls opened her Tiffin-box to feed the monkeys but the monkey snatched the entire tiffin form her hand. The way at the bottom of rock peak has been blocked by the trees and other plants. All of them took a chance to climb up the huge rock but only few could make to the second phase. Indeed this is a beautiful place for a nature meditation. The sunrise and sunset view from the top of the Rock would be a super view!

When they sloped down form the rock as they were coming back, they took good rest at the water pond and had their snacks. All of them were tired and hungry when reached back at the bottom of the rock. At 1.45pm they came down the rock and had sumptuous meals.

Karkala Gomateshwara statue : At 3.30pm they reached to Karkala town. The town called Kari-kallu and later became known as Karkala. Bahubali is also called Gommateshwara because of the Gommateshwara statue dedicated to him. The statue was built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chavundaaya; it is a 40ft monolith tall on its hilltop perch. (Statue carved from a single piece of rock) situated above a hill top. It is wonderful experience to stand and see monolithic Gometeshwara on the top of the hill. They all enjoyed the beautiful scenery around the hill. One can drive up or take the steps up and down. If one is fit it is not so difficult to walk.

St. Lawrence Shrine Attur : At 4.30pm they were at Attur Shrine. It is a Roman Catholic Church in Karkala, it was built in 1759 and is known to be the site of many miracles. It is characterized by its Attur Jatre or Attur festival. The scouts and guides children went in and around the church and prayed. It was the last phase of their outing.

At around 6.30 they reached back to the Nirmala School Ground and the parents were eagerly waiting for the children. At the same time children also waiting to share their breathtaking moments with their parents. They thanked our Lady Queen Nirmala for conveying them safe back to home.

The mission of Scouting and guiding will contribute to the education of young people, through a value based system to build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

When Scouts and Guides engage in an activity like hiking and trekking that requires them to work together in order to satisfy an objective. Many of the Scouts and Guides skill challenges as well as many of the activities of this compilation provide a genuine team building opportunity.

In order to complete any of these activities, Scouts will need to use team work, pool their resources, and share leadership — all qualities of a well-working patrol and troop. When accepting all these team building challenges, a patrol that co-operatively works together can be considered a winner.

The important objectives of Scouts and Guides activities are fun with positive outcome. The compilation of Scouting and Guiding activities are made up of challenges and games which can be incorporated into troop activities to satisfy that objectives.

An individual Scout and Guide or entire troop can purposely enter into a situation that tests their abilities. By experimenting trekking and hiking they are accepting a challenge. The goal is to successfully complete the challenge in the best possible way. Accepting and completing a worth while challenge can be fun, in and of itself. When properly and appropriately presented, a Scouting activity should contribute to making Scout meetings fun. Good fun can be considered a positive outcome.

• put an acquired skill or skills into action
• experience a sense of achievement
• nurture their self-esteem
• exercise their resourcefulness
• exemplify teamwork
• share responsibility
• learn a life lesson

Effective Scout, Guides activities provide the grounds for both fun and learning. Even when specific Scout and Guides skills aren’t coming into play, there’s always an opportunity to participate cheerfully while fostering good sportsmanship. As often as possible, Scouts and Guides should come away from an activity feeling happy, invigorated—feeling good about Scouting and Guiding, and good about themselves.