At 91, Alamelu stands tall in spreading the ideals of Scouts and Guides movement

“Be prepared” is the motto of Bharat Scouts and Guides, thereby warranting its members to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight

“Be prepared” is the motto of Bharat Scouts and Guides, thereby warranting its members to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. The 91-year-old K. Alamelu, a resident of Indira Nagar at Adayar in Chennai, stands as a torch-bearer of the motto, aims and principles of the movement’s post Independence period. 

She was a cynosure of all at the Bharat Scouts and Guides Diamond Jubilee and Kalaignar Centenary Jamboree held at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) complex near Manapparai last week. Her advanced age did not deter her in supervising the arrangements right from providing accommodation to regulating the young participants, most of them in teen and adolescent age groups, and ensuring discipline. The jamboree that attracted over 20,000 Scouts and Guides from different parts of the country and South East Asian and West Asian countries, was held from January 28 to February 2. But Ms. Alamelu was among the first to make it to the venue. She reached the arena on January 20, eight days prior to the start of the event, and left for Chennai only on Tuesday, thereby demonstrating her love and attachment to the movement. She spent her days in tents and shared food with others.

She has attended 12 jamborees, usually held once in four years, in the post-Independence period, and numerous ‘camporees’ held in different States. She attended the silver jubilee of the movement in Haryana, golden jubilee in Chennai and diamond jubilee in Tiruchi. 

“Age does not deter Alamelu from attending events of the movement that happen in any corner of the country. Her heart and soul is always with the movement. She is the best resource person and authority on the rules of it. She is the crown of the movement. I really admire her commitment, dedication, and sincerity to the movement,” says G. Arivoli, former Director of School Education and State Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides. 

Born on September 8, 1934 in Chennai, Ms. Alamelu joined the movement in 1964 when she was a teacher in Rani Meyyammai Higher Secondary School in Chennai. She took voluntary retirement in 1984 only to join as Deputy Director of the movement in New Delhi and retired as Joint Director in the year 2000. She was honoured with the prestigious Silver Star Award in 1986 and Silver Elephant Award, the highest national award of the movement, in 1999. She represented the country in the conferences held in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Thailand. 

“I am proud to be a Guide as the movement taught me patriotism, service to humanity, discipline, good character, courage, self belief, and perseverance, in addition to physical and mental strength. I vow to continue the service to nation building till my last breath,” says Ms. Alamelu, who holds the position of State Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides.