The day
dedicated to the theme of ‘holiness’ focused on ‘peace’ as a way of life. The
rationale behind this was to spread the message of peace; spread the idea of
health, holiness, harmony; promote scouting in Nashik City; following of
traffic rules and respecting police officials when the young are on the roads.
Among the
dignitaries present for the function were Ranjana Bhansi, Mayor of Nashik; B.I.
Nagarale, the Bharat Scout and Guide State Chief Commissioner of Maharashtra
and other eminent scout trainers of India. Boman Irani Bollywood cine artiste
was the Chief Guest for the programme. Addressing the enthusiastic scouts and
guides assembled on the Father Sean McFerran parade ground, Irani said, “I have
traveled the world, I have been to so many places and seen so many different
cultures, but it is not often that I go to one place and see all the cultures
of India gathered in one place. You children please protect your innocence.
When money and fame comes, you will be lost. So please preserve your innocence
and remember nothing is too small, for even if you are just a few performing,
for later on this will help you in life. Build a better India, a harmonious
India, a peaceful India”
The live brass
band by the students of Divyadaan, Nashik and traditional dances of Karnataka,
west Bengal, Sikkim, Shilong kept the scouts and guides enthralled despite the
afternoon sun.
The peace rally
along the lanes and bylanes of Nashik City culminated in an inter-faith prayer session
on the grounds of Divyadaan: Salesian College of Philosophy post sunset. The
purpose of the prayer service was to foster a feeling of tolerance and
understanding among the scouts-guides from diverse religions.
The inter-faith prayer
session began by stating the fact that as human beings, all have a common
creator who is the source of all unity. Students dressed in their different
religious attires were invited onstage to lead the gathering in prayer. Each of
the students recited a few verses from their religious text and explained it to
those gathered. The prayers were followed by the prayer composed for the 13th
National Boscoree 2018 A grand choral ‘We shall overcome,’ in English and Hindi
brought the inter-faith service to a close, with the scouts and guides pledging
to build a better, peaceful, harmonious and holy India.
