NATIONAL GATHERING OF SCOUTS & GUIDES
The 13th National Boscoree, a gathering of the Don Bosco Scouts and Guides was in Nashik from 30 December 2018 to 03 January 2019. Organised by the Salesians of Don Bosco with the theme ‘Health, Harmony and Holiness’.
Scouts and guides from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Punjab, etc. including those from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Pondicherry andNepal are participating in the event.
A total of 141 units from 22 states and 2 Union territories from Salesianand FMA institutions belonging to the 12 provinces of India experienced living in 200 tents spread over 16 sub-camps. Don Bosco and Kilbil schools along with Divyadaan Salesian College of Philosophy, Salesian Training Institute, Sacred Heart Training Centre and Maria Vihar hosted this mega event.
The theme of this BOSCOREE 2018 focused on the impression that the scouts and guides leave on the society and environment around them. The Mumbai Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco is hosted this mega camp, which takes place once in four years.
The BOSCOREE Programme Committee had set out five objectives for the 13th National Boscoree: To promote a healthy lifestyle, to build harmonious bridges with people and environment, to become noble and holy souls, to radiate the Salesian charism of Don Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello, and most importantly to give the scouting movement greater visibility across India.
he entire BOSCOREE is an opportune moment to educate the youngsters about the ‘Great Commandment of Love’”. The Three Loves—Love of God, Love of Neighbour and Love of Self—resonates well in the 3-H formula: HEALTH-HARMONY-HOLINESS.”
The catchy BOSCOREE Anthem penned by Fr. Savio Silveira SDB is set to music by the famous musician Louis Banks. Singers Fr. Sunil Pinto, Ms. Archana, and the students of Don Bosco International School-Matunga blended their voices under the guidance of Sound Engineer Mr. Neil D’Souza. Dance steps were choreographed by the brothers of Divyadaan, Nashik.
The 13th National Boscoree began with great pomp and fanfare with 4058 scouts-guides and 477 officials and dignitaries gathered on the Father Sean McFerran Parade Ground, Divyadaan. The solemn inaugural ceremony showcased varied cultural performances portraying the grace and colour of the different regions of the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The scouts and guides from Dakor, Ahmednagar and Kawant enthralled the gathering as they danced to the beats of the dhol, the lezim and the cymbals. The students of Divyadaan enhanced the ceremonial extravaganza with their band pieces. The percussionists from Sacred Heart School, Nashik provided the local flavour with the feisty rhythmic Nashik Dhol.
The ceremony struck a solemn note as the colour party escorted the dignitaries to the stage. Then followed the flag break ceremony and the march past; 17 troops representing the SDB and FMA Provinces of South Asia marched to the beats of ‘Colonel Boogie’.
The Chief Guest, Ms Ann Choi, the Deputy District Commissioner of the Scout Association of Hong Kong, took the salute. The students of Kilbil St Joseph’s Nashik gave a prayerful touch with a prayer dance. Father Ian Doulton, the Boscoree Camp Chief, welcomed the gathering and encouraged the scouts-guides to be strong and self-reliant. “Scouting is a way of life that reminds you that today you are a young citizen of this great country but before long you will be a full-fledged adult citizen of India,” said Father Doulton.
Ms Choi released the Boscoree Souvenir. Some of the dignitaries addressed the camp: Sister Rita Dora, the Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Mumbai Province; Father Godfrey D’Souza, Salesian Provincial of Mumbai; Father Robert Simon, the DBYA Delegate for Social Experience; Bishop Lourdes Daniel of the Diocese of Nashik; Dr Ravinder Singhal, Commissioner of Police, Nashik City; and Ms Ann Choi.
“We need you to be ambassadors for Scouting,” said Choi as she encouraged the scouts-guides to continue the scouting legacy of instilling leadership, character and service. She then declared the 13th National Boscoree open. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the ‘I Love Boscoree’ selfie point by the Chief Guest.
The National Boscoree was a 5-day grand celebration of all the Don Bosco Scouts and Guides. It was a bliss to see so many young people involved in the event.
The 13th National Boscoree 2018 in numbers:
Units = 143
Scouts = 2057
Guides = 1549
Scoutmasters = 165
Guide Captains = 137
Salesians = 107
Salesian Nuns = 43
Total Participants = 4058
Total Guests/Dignitaries/Organisers = 477
