India’s national Don Bosco Scouts jamboree in Dimapur

(Jan 03, 2011) Scouts and Girl Guides of Don Bosco institutions from all over India are celebrating a 5-day jamboree in northeast India’s Nagaland state. The 11th National Boscoree 2010 opened at the Don Bosco High School in Nagaland’s commercial capital of Dimapur on December 30, on the theme “Peace on Earth”. More than two thousand participants, including 1700 scouts and guides and around 300 scoutmasters and guide captains, teachers and volunteers from 70 schools from 18 states across the country are participating in the event that occurs every three years. “Make this world Greener, Cleaner and Happier” said Devinder Singh, Brigadier Artillery, a Sena Medalist, from Army Headquarters, Dimapur, while inaugurating the national event. Fr. James Poonthuruthil, the Salesian Provincial of Dimapur urged the Bosco Scouts and Guides to enlarge the circle of their friends and make the Boscoree an experience of living and learning together. Fr. Joe Almeida, Provincial of Guwahati, invited the Bosco Scouts and Guides to “know the diversity in North East India and to promote unity and peace in the country”. Boscoree aims at keeping alive the beliefs, convictions and the messages of Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting and Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesian society. The event displays the unique, creative talents of Bosco scouts and guides and includes competitions in folk songs, traditional dances, making of indigenous gadgets, handicrafts, model village, and lessons in leadership and group dynamics.