PESHAWAR, Dec 12: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has stressed the need for widening the scope of scout movement with special focus on its re-activation and revitalization to enable it to meet the requirements and needs of the hour.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the 10th three-day bi-annul National Training and Programme Conference, 2003, at the Provincial Institute of Teachers Education here on Friday, the governor said only such dynamic and motivated persons should be entrusted with the responsibilities in the movement who have the spirit to disseminate its agenda in accordance with its basic objectives.

The governor said unfortunately the movement, particularly in this province, had been suffering from stagnation for the last few years and it had failed to face the challenges in accordance with to the need of the hour.

Therefore, he remarked that such tired and negligent people should be avoided who joined this movement just to pass the time.

In fact, he said, motivated, determined and honest people should be encouraged who had the spirit to serve the people in real sense, and to come forward and contribute in giving a real life to the movement in accordance with its motto.

While referring to the policy formulation process, the governor, who is also the provincial chief scout, said first of all we had to identify such people who had the ability to prepare such a generation which could carry further the basic object of the movement to create an ideal society.

Today, he said the society was suffering from tension and confrontation and visible differences were found everywhere under different pretexts and the scout movement could significantly contribute to tackle the issue efficiently.

The governor also expressed concern over the lack of training aspect in the teaching process of students in educational institutions and said due importance should also be given to that aspect.

In this connection, the governor said, the role of scout leaders was indispensable as they must disseminate the message to every tier downward. In fact, the governor said, the basic object of the movement was to promote and flourish a sense of realization among each and every member of the society towards the fulfilment of their social responsibilities as well as to take care of the rights of their fellows.

The governor expressed dissatisfaction over the number of scouts in the province being 140,000 at present and urged that efforts must be made to double the figure within a year and later ensure gradual increase so that the basic spirit of this movement could reach every citizen.