President Abdur Rahman Biswas Tuesday commended I he scouts for their services in different areas and called for further strengthening their movement to motivate the young generations to work for country's continued development and people's welfare, reports BSS.

"The Juvenile community should be built up as a disci plined force through the scout movement so that they can dedicate themselves to the service of the humanity, he said.

President Biswas, who is also the chief scout, was inaugurating the 20th annual general meeting of the national council of Bangladesh Scouts at the Jatiya Scout Bhaban.

With president of Bangladesh Scouts Mohammad Mahbubuzzaman in the chair, the inaugural function was also addressed by chief national commissioner Manzur-Ul-Karim, and national commissioner (oi^dTAsaftqn) ^Bacftpt Rafynan, the president said progress of a nation could be

ensured through united efforts, based on creativity and constructive attitude.

He appreciated the role of scouts in disaster relief and rehabilitation. Implementing baby-health programmes and -maintaining environmental balance and afforestation.

"Simultaneously, they should be more active in spreading education and nation building task," he said adding, the nation expects a wide participation of scouts In the removal of illiteracy from the country.

President Biswas said, "as a nation we are proud although the size of our country is small. Our patriotism, sacrifices, history, culture and tradition have made us an independent nation."

He called upon all to rise above self Interest and put in their united endeavours to achieve national progress and prosperity.

He also called upon the ydti ng '-^briWaWW tb become imbued with the sense of patriotism and discipline

through scout movement to that they could do their best In leading the country towards its cherished goal.

President Biswas said the present government had incorporated Bangladesh Scouts tn the annual development plan considering its importance tn nation building activities.

He expressed his happiness at the formation of a committee, named "BangUtdesh Scouts Parliamentary Association" in March this year and said its activities would help the scout movement a lot.

About the new project of Bangladesh scouts, ‘scouting for the handicapped,' the President said its training programmes would be of a tremendous help to mentally and physically handicapped boys to improve their latent talents and also for their rehabilitation in society.

There Is no alternative to scouting to promote International brpther-hodl an amity,'’ he said and called up^n_Jhc scouts here to maintain good

relations with their counterparts In other countries of the world.

Chief patlonal commit stoner Manzur-ul- Karim urged all government and private organisations and phtlan throphists to come forward with both moral and financial help for the Bangladesh Scouts.

He said the construction the 15-storied Bangladesh scouts building was completed but there is paucity of funds to meet its construction cost.

The chief national commissioner congratulated the present government for Incorporating Bangladesh scouts in the annual development plan from the current fiscal year and expressed the hope that the crisis would be over in the next fiscal year.

Referring to the growth plan, Karim said Bangladesh scouts had embarked upon an ambitipusplan to jncrease the numbtUKMMMfetf'^CIakh jpfhe n«t Vpvyears from the "present level of 3.91 lakh.