'Rovers, Rangers play significant role in national integration'

"Dakshina Kannada is being tagged as 'communally sensitive' district. This is not the real image of the region. In fact, the district is the hub for the education and banking sectors," said district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai.

He was speaking after inaugurating the National-level Rovers and Rangers Moot at St Aloysius Primary School in Mangaluru on Thursday.

"Because of the negative tags, the police officials are not willing to be posted in Mangaluru. The calls given for social harmony, are being criticised," he pointed out.

Stating that the Rovers and Rangers play a significant role in strengthening the national integration, the minister said that the Rovers and Rangers inculcate discipline.

Bharat Scouts and Guides National Commissioner Analendra Sharma said that the convention will be held till January 1 and all the delegates will be divided into three groups. One group will go for coastal trekking from Thannirbavi till Coast Guard.

Another team will go for nature study at Pilikula. They will carry out the study at Guthumane, Samskrithika Grama and Ayurveda Vana at Pilikula.

Another team will be involved in various activities like training in disaster management, better world, surf smart and career counselling.

Further, there will be pioneering model competition and a youth forum for discussion. Each Rovers and Rangers team will present folk culture of their state in the evening. Ethnic fashion show will also be held.

Bharat Scouts and Guides District Commissioner Dr N G Mohan said that the convention is being organised on the birth centenary of Bharat Scouts and Guides former NationalCommissioner V P Deen Dayal Naidu.

Centenary celebrations convener M A Chellaiah delivered a keynote address.

Bharat Scouts and Guides National Commissioner (designated) M AKhalid and Bharat Scouts and Guides State Vice President Kondajji BShanmukhappa were felicitated on the occasion.

MLA J R Lobo presided over the programme.

A total of 739 participants from 14 states are taking part in the national convention, which will be concluded on January 1.