Ladies and Gentlemen,

I congratulate the Scouts and Guides, Rovers and Rangers as well as Adult Leaders who have received the Rashtrapati Award Certificates for the year 2009. Just now we heard some songs rendered by the Scouts, which showed our nation's cultural diversity. The Bharat Scouts and Guides is an organization which brings unity to the diversity. It is an important organization as it seeks to build the character of young people by encouraging them to be pure in thought, word and deed and to become conscientious citizens. Preparing the youth to act in a responsible manner is undoubtedly a valuable national service, and I wish the Scouts and Guides Movement all success in this work.

Youth, with their energy and dynamism, with their dreams and aspirations, are a force when channelised productively can make any nation proud. Swami Vivekananda had great faith in the younger generation and he used to say, "Give me a few men and women who are pure and selfless and I shall shake the world". The youth constitute the majority of India's population and for the next few decades, India will continue to have a large proportion of young people. I believe that when the 540 million youth of our country are educated, and they work determinedly in the spirit of service for the country, India's future will definitely be glorious. Young Indians have been demonstrating their capabilities and strengths in various fields of human activities in the country and across the world. Whether in the IT industry worldwide or international banks or global scientific organizations or multi-national business enterprises, there are young people from India who are joining their ranks. In sports, our youth have won international tournaments and brought laurels and medals to the country. However, we must not rest on our laurels. In this world of intense competition we need to continually strive for excellence.

Among our youth we have our future leaders, business persons and entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers, sportspersons and artists, lawyers and doctors of the country. The nation needs a variety of professionals and skilled workers for balanced and all round progress. It is important that whatever work one is involved in, is done with a deep sense of duty and commitment to complete it in a time bound manner. As students, you should study hard and when you study, it must be for true learning and understanding. Be disciplined and methodical in your daily lives. These qualities ensure that you attend to assigned tasks, and do what needs to be done on a daily basis. This helps in step-by-step progress in life and brings success. Fortune is an outcome of good work and can slip away, if laxity sets in. Therefore, be consistent in what you do.

Life is full of experiences - satisfaction when successful, joy during happy events, pride in having achieved a target. But, there will also be challenging moments. There will be times when victory will be elusive. Lack of success does not mean that we give up. It only means that we have to work harder, and that we have to persevere till our objective is achieved. There is the famous story about Thomas Edison, known for his path-breaking inventions. It is said that after trying 9,999 times to perfect the light bulb, Thomas Edison had not succeeded. Somebody asked Edison, "Are you going to have ten thousand failures"? Edison replied, "I have never failed even once. I have had thousands of learning experiences. I had to run through enough learning experiences to find a way that it did work." Edison did not let failure daunt him and his untiring efforts resulted in the invention of the bulb.

Today, we live in a knowledge society in which human progress relies on creativity and innovation. It will be new ideas and new creations that will change the world. It is for this reason that the Government has declared the next ten years as the Decade of Innovation in the country. Our people have the ability to innovate. This year in March, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, we had an exhibition of innovations principally from grassroots innovators. Many interesting exhibits were put up. Three young students also participated. Their innovations related to a breathing censor apparatus to assist physically challenged people, a bed that prevents the occurrence of bed sores for use in hospitals and for old people, as well as a motor system for drying clothes that could be used for household chores. These innovations were remarkable, but what impressed me most was that they were thinking of others. In the quest for progress we must never lose the sense of compassion towards others. This is the essence of humane societies. You should also work to eliminate social evils which cause discriminations and distortions in our society. There can be no place for dowry, female foeticide, female infanticide or child marriage.

Another aspect which every Indian must bear in mind is the importance of peace and harmony in the country. This can be achieved if we appreciate that our country has a vast variety of customs, food habits, languages, religious practices, traditions and cultures. I am glad that the Bharat Scouts and Guides organizes Youth Interstate Cultural Exchange Programmes and National Integration Programmes in different parts of the country. The organization was given the Indira Gandhi National Integration Award for the year 1987. It would, however, be well to remember that our Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi used to say that there can be no respite in the work of national integration. We must constantly strive to build understanding and a sense of collective pride in our Indianness and reject narrow and divisive agendas. The youth should pursue an agenda for growth and prosperity. They should be oriented in this direction. I am aware that the Bharat Scouts and Guides have a campaign called "Khari Kamai." It encourages the youth to go out into their localities and offer to work in return for some earnings. The money thus earned is utilized for activities of their unit in the Scouts and Guides. This teaches dignity of labour. Such concepts and values are the very bedrock of nation building activities.

Belonging to a civilization that has deep reverence towards nature, we must cherish its abundance. Planet Earth belongs to all of us, and we must judiciously use its resources, work to conserve its rich flora and fauna, as well as adopt environment friendly approaches. Global warming and climate change are major challenges confronting us. Every effort designed to make people environment friendly is a contribution to meet this challenge. Youth can help by planting trees, keeping their schools and homes neat and tidy, as well as developing a civic sense. Parents and school teachers can play an important role in guiding children. The Scouts, Guides, Rangers and Rovers are fortunate that they have the guidance of Adult Leaders. I am sure that they impart the values and qualities that prepare the youth for meaningful lives so that while excelling in professions, they also work for better societies and a stronger nation.

With these words, I once again convey my best wishes to the Scouts and Guides Movement and all those present here.

Thank You.

Jai Hind!

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SH/LV/RK