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1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group

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1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group
HeadquartersLake View Park International Scout Centre
CountrySri Lanka
Founded1913
FounderJ. H. de Seram
Membership1,297
 Scouting portal

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group (Sinhala: පළමුවන මහනුවර ධර්මරාජ බාලදක්ෂ සමූහය) is the Scout Group of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is known to be the oldest continuous scout group in the Sri Lanka Scout Association.

History

Origin

In 1913, six years after Robert Baden-Powell introduced scouting to the world, scouting arrived at Dharmaraja College. The 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group is the second Scout Troop in Ceylon and the 1st group in Kandy District founded by late Mr.John Henry De Saram under the Principalship of late Mr.K.F. Billimoria[1][2][3][4] .

First great achievement

The 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group's very first great achievement, the "King's Flag" which they won for three consecutive years, that is in 1917, 1918 and 1919. This flag was traditionally awarded to a troop in the British Colonies that had the largest number of King Scouts on September 30 in each year. In those years the number of colonies in the British Empire was quite a considerable number and no other troop in the Colonies could emulate that achievement.

Honour the Founder

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scouts had the rare opportunity to honour the founder, Lord Baden Powell when he paid a visit to Dharmaraja College in 1921. Dharmaraja scouts had felicitated the founder on three different occasions when he visited Sri Lanka.

World of Old Scouts

Forming first ever old scout association in Sri Lanka the "Old Rajans Scout Association" in 1978, November 12 th.

Centenary JIM

When Dharmaraja College celebrated the Centenary year in 1987, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and the Old Rajans Scout Association organized the 'Centenary JIM 1987' to commemorate 100 years.[5]

Island Merit Flag

From 1993 up to 2006, Dharmaraja Scouts won the Island Merit Flag for being the Best Scout Group in Sri Lanka, consecutively.[6]

Himalayan Expeditions

Dharmaraja scouts climbed the Himalaya mountains seven times from 1985 to 2007.[7] [8] [9] [10]

International Events

Dharmaraja Centenary Jim 1987

When Dharmaraja College celebrated the Centenary year in 1987, 1st Kandy Scout Group and the Old Rajans Scout Association organized the "'‘Centenary JIM 1987’'" to commemorate 100 years in grand style.[5]

DESAI Jamborette 1994

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group celebrated 80 years of scouting with DESAI (Dharmaraja Eighieth Scout Anniversary International) Jamborette 1994.[11] DESAI organized jointly by the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association.

Rajans Venture '97

Dharmaraja College celebrated its 110th Anniversary in year 1997 by organizing a series of events. As part of that, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association jointly organized the "Rajans Venture '97". It is the first adventure program to be held in Sri Lanka with, Water Activities. Hiking, Ground Activities.[11]

Rajans Millennum Jamboree 2000

1st Kandy Dharamaraja Scout Group together with Old Rajans Scout Association organized the Rajans Millennium Jamboree 2000, to commemorate the dawn of new millennium and to celebrate the winning of Island Merit flag for best scout group in Sri Lanka for consecutively from 1996.[11]

Rajans Jim 2003

Year 2003 marked the 90 years of scouting at 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. To celebrate the 90 years, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association jointly organized the "Rajans Jim 2003". This was the 5th International Scout Program to be organized and held at the Lake View Scout Centre.[11]

Ransai 2008

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2008 by organizing an adventure and leadership program named "RANSAI 2008", Rajans Ninety-fifth Scout Anniversary International.[12]

RISGO Centennial 2013

[13] RISGO Centennial 2013 (Rajans International Scout Gathering Of Centennial ) 2013, is an International Scout Jamboree to mark the Centenary Celebrations of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group.[14]

Guinness World Records

As part of centenary celebration, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout group established a Guinness world record by creating the world largest neckerchief measures 53.7 m x 37.1 m x 37.1 m (176 ft 2.4 in x 121 ft 8.4 in x 121 ft 8.4 in) and the largest woggle measures 1.03 m (3 ft 4.55 in) in diameter and 1 m (3 ft 3.37 in) in height on 20 February 2014.[15][16]

Annual Programme

In each year 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group is maintain annual programme. As a tradition, Dharmaraja Scout Group started off its annual calendar with obtaining blessings from Maha Sanga and offering Dhana. Following events also normally part of the annual programme.

  • B.P Day Celebration - February
  • Awurudu Pola and Awurudu Ulela - April
  • Scout Job Week
  • Founders Day Celebrations - June
  • Annual Health Camp
  • Parents and Old Scout day Competitions - October
  • Parents and Old Scout day - November
  • Annual Camp Fire - December

Group Structure

The group is composed of Cub scouts, Junior scouts, Senior Scouts, Rover Scouts, Assistant Scout Leaders, Scout Leaders.

  • From grade 07 to 11   -   Cubs Scouts
  • From grade 11 to 15   -   Junior Scouts
  • From grade 15 to 18   -   Senior Scouts
  • From grade 18 to 24   -   Rover Scouts

Group Scout Leaders

  • 1913 – 1931    Mr. J.H.De Seram
  • 1931 – 1934    Mr. J.N.Thomas
  • 1934 – 1967    Mr. B.A.S.Wimalachandra
  • 1967 – 1970    Mr. S.Rajakaruna
  • 1970 – 1978    Mr. B.N.B.Dolapihilla
  • 1978 – 1993    Mr. M.B.Weerasekara
  • 1993 – 2007    Mr. S.K.P.Mataraarachchi
  • 2007 – 2008    Mr. S.M.Keerthiratne
  • 2008 – 2009    Mr. S.K.B.Weerakoon
  • 2009 – 2015    Mr. M.Wijesiriwardhane

Old Rajans Scout Association

Main article: Old Rajans Scout Association

Old Rajans Scout Association (ORSA) is the gathering of past scouts of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. ORSA was formed on 12 November 1978. Primary objective of the association is to maintain strong ties with the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and work towards the betterment of Scouting at Dharamaraja College.[17]

Lake View Park International Scout Centre

Main article: Lake View Park International Scout Centre

Lake View Park International Scout Centre is home for the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. It is modeled on the Gilwell Park in London, and consists of rally grounds, camp sites, a campfire circle, the den, kitchen complex, lecture rooms and dormitories.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ananda Melpitiya (December 21, 2008). "Dharmaraja scouts score many firsts". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  2. ^ "RISGO International Scout Jamboree in Kandy from Feb 18". Sunday Observer. January 20, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  3. ^ "'RANSAI 2008' at Lakeview Park, Kandy from Dec. 26". Sunday Observer. November 30, 2008. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  4. ^ "The Legends Since 1913.....!". Wallpaper. Dharmaraja Alumni Association of North America. October 15, 2009. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  5. ^ a b "Dharmaraja Centenary Jim 1987". 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  6. ^ Ananda Melpitiya (June 24, 2012). "Dharmaraja College". Sunday Observer. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  7. ^ "Himalayan Expedition 2007". The Sunday Times. August 12, 2007. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  8. ^ Randima Attygalle (November 12, 2006). "First men on Baden-Powell". The Nation. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  9. ^ "Scouts return from Himalayan peak climb". The Sunday Times. October 1, 2006. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  10. ^ Randima Attygalle. "He did stand tall". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  11. ^ a b c d "'RANSAI 2008' at Lakeview Park, Kandy from Dec. 26". Sunday Observer. November 30, 2008. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  12. ^ Organizing Committee of RANSAI 2008. "RANSAI Official Web". Retrieved 2013-06-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "RISGO Centennial 2013". Sri Lanka Scout Association. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  14. ^ "Rajans to hold Int'l scouts' meeting next year". Sunday Observer. 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  15. ^ "World largest neckerchief and woggle". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  16. ^ "Dharmaraja scouts create history with a Guinness World Record". The Island. July 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  17. ^ "History of Dharamaraja Scouting". Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  18. ^ "Lake View Park International Scout Centre". Retrieved 2013-01-12.
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