The Role of Bharat Scouts and Guides in Developing Leadership Skills among young Indians.

In?August 1907, Baden-Powell took 20 boys from different parts of England and ran a camp at Brownsea Island it was the very first?Scout experimental camp?in the world. The movement is spread across various parts of the globe under different National Service organizations (NSOs). The Bharat Scouts and Guides India like other NSOs are the driving force in the development of social leadership skills (Individual Values, Group Values, and Community Values) where children and youths are taught various skills under each value. The BS&G, India nurtures the skills and fosters the abilities, values, and potential of many young people in this country while bigger programs like National level and State level Jamborees grab the limelight.

Let's examine how this movement, which has a long history, is using gamification as one of the catalysts to change the way leadership skills are developed in this country at the school and college levels.

Lord Baden-Powell established the scouting movement in London in 1907 and during British India, the movement officially intensified its presence in the year 1909 when the?first scout group was established at the Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Bangalore, setting the groundwork for the future Bharat Scouts and Guides.

The movement saw a dramatic change in 1950 when the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts united to form the Bharat Scouts and Guides. This merger guaranteed that all young Indians could take advantage of the movement's programs and played a significant role in advancing gender equality and inclusivity within it.

Pragmatism Philosophy “Learning by Doing” in Scouting & Guiding Programs:

The American philosopher, John Dewey coined the term “Learning by doing” as?a theory that places heavy emphasis on student engagement and is a hands-on, task-oriented, process to education. The theory refers to the process in which students actively participate in more practical and imaginative ways of learning.

"Learning by doing" is a core tenet of the Bharat Scouts and Guides. Scouts and guides actively participate in real-world activities as an alternative to traditional classroom-based instruction. Many children and youths are involved in camping, trekking, hiking, and?community service initiatives, but they're also adventures when it comes to environmental protection. According to the Social Change Model, this practical method will?foster individual values, group values, and community values where it emphasizes more on how to be socially responsible, Collaborative, Processional not positional, Inclusive, and accessible to all people, Values-based, oriented around facilitating change. Where scouting and guiding programs can be compared with the 7 Cs of the Social Change Model (SCM),

• Collaboration -?Working with others in a common effort. Collaboration constitutes the cornerstone value of the group leadership effort because it empowers the self and others through trust.
• Common Purpose -?Working with shared aims and values. Common purpose facilitates the group’s ability to engage in collective analysis of the issues at hand and the task to be undertaken.
• Controversy with Civility -?Recognizes two fundamental realities of any creative group effort—differences in viewpoint are inevitable and these differences must be aired openly, but with respect.
• Consciousness of Self -?Awareness of the beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions that motivate one to act.
• Congruence -?Thinking, feeling, and behaving with consistency, genuineness, authenticity, and honesty.
• Commitment -?Motivational energy to serve and drive the collective effort. Commitment implies passion, intensity, and duration.
• Citizenship -?Process whereby the individual and the collaborative group become responsibly connected to the community and the society through the leadership development activity.

Source: https://srls.umd.edu/Resources

????????? “I can personally attest to the impact of the scouting and guiding movement on my life as a President Scout myself, at the age of 15 I received the “Rashtrapati Award” which is the highest national award in scouting and guiding programs from the then President of India,?Sri. K R Narayanan. I currently work as a professional in the cybersecurity IT domain and assist in skill development programs at Bharat Scouts and Guides, Karnataka. It has not only helped me become who I am now, but it has also had a long-lasting effect on the skilling movement at various platforms.” I have seen how the scouting and guiding movement has?changed?the lives of innumerable young people by developing their character, empathy, and sense of responsibility in addition to their skill set. This effect goes beyond personal development and has a direct?impact on India's skilling drive by producing a generation of competent, flexible, and civic-minded people?ready to advance their nation.

Leadership Skill Development Program through BSG India:

The Bharat Scouts and Guides' dedication to comprehensive leadership skill development lies at the core of their contribution to the various skills development movement. The National Service Organisation (NSO) like Bharat Scouts and Guides, provides a well-organized system of competency badges which is called Proficiency Badges covering a broad range of abilities. A scout or a Guide may obtain a Camping badge, for example, to show that they are skilled in attending camps, or a Cycling Badge, to show that they are proficient in outdoor cycling. These badges stand for concrete turning points in the development of new abilities and personality development. The four pillars of the scouting curriculum are outdoor skills, leadership, citizenship, and character development which overall emphasizes socially responsible leadership development.

Gamification vs Proficiency Badges:

The process of adding elements of games to non-gaming contexts to improve user engagement and motivation is known as gamification. Gamification has almost infinite applications that can be used in any kind of setting or industry. It can foster physical activity, raise workplace productivity, improve customer loyalty, and much more. The goal of gamification is to motivate users to interact with content and find enjoyment and satisfaction in otherwise boring tasks.

In 1908 – The Boy Scouts, the Boy Scout movement handed out achievement-based badges (Proficiency badges) to their members. Kids can earn special badges if they become proficient in an activity, they need to follow the rules of the?organization and show skills that set them apart from the rest. It's like playing a video game where you are targeted to finish the line first to get more points or to earn the rewards. Every badge serves as a clear symbol of an objective, inspiring scouts, and guides to pursue success. Gaining badges gives you a sense of advancement and success since it's like achieving a new skill. The collaborative and competitive aspect of earning badges pushes scouts and guides to perform well and impart their knowledge, which creates internal motivation for learning new skills. Some of the proficiency badges listed below are common for both scouts/guides which they will earn during the different levels of scouting/guiding programs.

1.???? Ambulance Man

2.???? Community Worker

3.???? Computer Awareness

4.???? Carpenter

5.???? Gardener

6.???? Citizenship

Scouting Programs vs Leadership Skills Development:

The movement actively fosters a sense of community and leadership in addition to other?skills?development. It encourages?scouts and guides to become leaders in their schools/units?and get involved in the community. They gain important life skills from this experience, some are highlighted below in the table,

Scouts and Guides of India are Lifelong learners:

The development of a spirit of lifelong learning is the Bharat Scouts and Guides' legacy. Scouts and guides can internalize the concept that learning is a continuous adventure through a variety of activities and the pursuit of proficiency badges. In a world where flexibility and the capacity to pick up new skills are essential for success; this way of thinking is priceless.

Let's remember the Bharat Scouts and Guides as we celebrate the advancements in skill development achieved through various programs and initiatives. This organization has been quietly but significantly advancing the story of skill development in India. It is ingrained in the country's fabric.

I am happy that I have contributed to this movement for the last 35 years I began my journey as a scout where I received the Rajyapuraskar Award, and the Rashtrapati Award then continued as a Rover, received again the Rajyapuraskar Rover Award. Now I am a Cybersecurity Engineer, educationist, researcher, blogger, and Scout Master with the additional responsibility of getting elected as a Scouter Representative for Bangalore South District and Basavanagudi Local Association of The Bharat Scouts and Guides, Karnataka. I am thankful to Sri Kondajji Basappa Scout Group -Open Unit.

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