Record number of participants at the 17th National Jamboree

Mysuru: It is a record of sorts at the 17th National Jamboree, the seven-day event which was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Adakanahalli Industrial area here on Thursday with more than 27,000 Scouts and Guides participating.
President Pranab inaugurates scouts and guides Jamboree at Mysuru Over 27,000 scouts and guides from not only across the country but also from SAARC countries are taking part in the seven day event. The highest participants are from Karnataka numbering more than 7000 at the event which will conclude on January 4. During the inaugural event, Karnataka participants who are more in number showed highest energy followed by participants from Rajasthan. The participants, as a part of the inaugural event, presented jamboree song and colourful cultural events.

M A Chellaiah, who is witnessing his fourth national Jamboree said, “When compared to earlier national jamborees, the 17th edition is being conducted more systematically. Not only infrastructure but also the organisers have given more importance to cleanliness. This is for the first time, the event is being held in double road entrance and for the first time more than 25,000 participants are taking part in the seven day event.”

Dr Gurumurthy Kondajji Basappa, retired Professor of Medicine, Mysore Medical College Research Institute who is also into Scouts and Guides for the past 40 years and has witnessed the previous two National Jamborees in Karnataka that was in 1960 and1986 said, “The layout formation which is constructed with proper planning is extremely beautiful. In the earlier two National Jamborees held in Karnataka, the number of participants was less”. Few weeks ago, Dr Gurumurthy was awarded silver medal by President Pranab Mukherjee, which is third highest award in Scouts and Guides. Dr Gurumurthy’s elder brother Shanmukappa Kondajji was state chief commissioner of Scouts and Guides for nearly 14 years and younger brother Mohan Kumar Kondajji is also serving here in various capacities.