Mysuru: President Pranab Mukherjee said, studies have proved that developing countries can benefit from a non-formal education system like Scouting and hence Scouting has a global responsibility to meet the challenges of development.

Delivering his inaugural speech, during the 17th national jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides at Adakanahalli, on KIADB Industrial Area, on the Nanjangud road, 17 km from the city, on Thursday, he said, “India is a land of ancient civilisation, but has a young population. By 2020 India will be the youngest country with around 50% of the people below 25 years of age, which will be a big asset. However, it will be a true asset only if the youth are skilled and oriented towards the service of the nation.”

“Jamborees are occasions when an organisation reaffirms, redeems and reorients, so the participants should develop leadership qualities, cooperative spirit and moral values. It is a good opportunity to exchange ideas and exhibit skills and talents, and help create awareness among the youth about the values of national integration, service, discipline, patriotism and peaceful co-existence,” he said.

Stating that there are five crore Scouts and Guides across the world, in 216 nations, he said, the enrolment in India is not proportionate with its population. “In India, there are 57 lakh Scouts and Guides at present. It should grow to at least one crore by 2020,” he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, the theme of the Jamboree ‘Together for a Better Tomorrow’ can be realised by following three commandments of the Scout and Guide movement — dedication, determination and discipline.

“With more than 3.5 lakh Scouts and Guides, Karnataka has carved a niche in the annals of Scouts and Guides movement. The receiving of the highest national award of the Scout and Guide movement in India, the Silver Elephant, for 2015, for Karnataka was a proud moment. Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scouting movement, said, ‘Scouting is a man’s job, cut down to a boy’s size’. The week-long jamboree will help realise the truth of this inspiring quote,” he said.

Over 25,000 Scouts and Guides, Rovers and Rangers and unit leaders (teachers) from 52 contingents are taking part in the jamboree. Young students are accompanied by parents.

A temporary township with 3,000 tents for accommodation of the participants has been developed on 350 acres earmarked for the proposed film city in the KIADB Industrial Area. Karnataka has the biggest contingent with 7,000 participants. Contingents have also arrived from Bangladesh, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, national jamborees have been held in Bengaluru in 1960 and 1986 and this is the first time Mysuru is hosting the event.