A total of 58 Scouts and Guides received the Rajya Puraskar 2026 at the Nagaland State Bharat Scouts and Guides award ceremony in Kohima.
Governor links Scout values with Naga tradition of community responsibility
KOHIMA — A total of 58 Scouts and Guides received the Rajya Puraskar, also known as the Governor’s Award, at the Nagaland State Bharat Scouts and Guides (NSBSG) Award Ceremony held at Dr. Imkonglimba Memorial Hall, Lok Bhavan, Kohima, on Friday.
The award was presented to 24 Scouts and 34 Guides from Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Kohima and Wokha districts who successfully qualified for the Governor’s Award 2026.
In addition, 137 Scouts and Guides were awarded the Tritiya Sopan, comprising 45 Scouts and 92 Guides from Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung and Wokha.
The Rajya Puraskar awardees will subsequently prepare for higher-level awards at the national level.
Addressing the gathering, Nagaland Governor and Chief Patron of NSBSG Nand Kishore Yadav described the ceremony as a celebration of character, commitment and the spirit of service, apart from recognising the achievements of the awardees.
He said Bharat Scouts and Guides is a voluntary, non-political and educational movement aimed at helping young people realise their physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, become responsible citizens and contribute positively to their communities.
Referring to the movement’s growth in Nagaland, Yadav said its journey in the State began in 1967 and has since expanded to different parts of the state.
It has emerged as an important platform for nurturing young people through practical experiences, teamwork, outdoor activities, community service and leadership, he said.
The governor said the principles of service, discipline, cooperation, respect, courage and responsibility promoted through Scouting and Guiding were closely aligned with the traditions of Naga society, particularly its strong community spirit and culture of collective responsibility.
In a rapidly changing world shaped by technology, he stressed the need to preserve human values. Scouting and Guiding, he said, encourage young people to look beyond screens, work with others, experience nature, take responsibility, overcome challenges and serve society.
Congratulating the 58 Rajya Puraskar recipients, Yadav said the award represented not merely a certificate but the hours of training, discipline, effort and perseverance invested by the Scouts and Guides throughout their journey.
Emphasising that leadership begins with service, he said a good leader is not simply one who gives instructions but one who takes responsibility and helps others. He urged the awardees to carry the values of Scouting and Guiding into whatever professions they pursue.
Yadav said young people are at the centre of India’s transformation and that the vision of Viksit Bharat requires not only infrastructure and technology but also responsible, compassionate and disciplined citizens. He urged young people to become problem solvers, innovators, entrepreneurs and responsible citizens rather than merely job seekers.
He said the Scout and Guide Movement could contribute to this effort through programmes in leadership, first aid, disaster preparedness, environmental conservation, community service and teamwork, describing these as essential life skills.
The Governor also appealed to schools, educational institutions, parents and community leaders to encourage greater participation in Scouting and Guiding, stating that investment in the character development of young people is an investment in Nagaland’s future.
Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports and president of NSBSG S Keoshu Yimkhiung, in his presidential address, said the occasion recognised the dedication, discipline, service and achievements of young Scouts and Guides who had successfully completed important stages of their training.
He congratulated the Tritiya Sopan and Rajya Puraskar recipients, noting that Tritiya Sopan marked an important stage towards the Rajya Puraskar, the highest state-level award for Scouts and Guides.
Yimkhiung said the achievements reflected not only the recipients’ hard work and perseverance but also the guidance and support of their leaders and families.
Highlighting the movement’s motto, “Be Prepared”, he said it represented a philosophy for life and called upon young people to remain prepared to face challenges, help those in need, accept responsibility and stand for what is right.
He said young people require more than academic knowledge and must develop courage, compassion, discipline, leadership and a strong sense of responsibility towards society.
The Bharat Scouts and Guides, he added, provides an important platform for developing these qualities.
Yimkhiung urged the awardees to continue developing confidence, character and compassion, remain committed to the ideals of Scouting and Guiding, and become worthy ambassadors of Nagaland and responsible citizens of India.
Earlier, Commissioner and Secretary, Youth Resources & Sports, and vice president of NSBSG Anthony Ngullie delivered the keynote and welcome address.