It is a "great achievement” that Sethna’s 18th West Bombay Scout Group was established within seven years of the scout movement being formed in the United Kingdom, stated chief guest Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) Trusts. He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Sethna’s Cub Pack and the completion of 110 years of the Scout Troop and 62 years of its Sea Scout Troop at Allbless Baug on January 26, 2024.
Officials and guests celebrating the centenary of Sethna’s Cub Pack
Lauding the scouting movement that "enables youth to develop discipline, self-confidence, ethics, academic and leadership skills” and the voluntary and honorary services provided by scout masters, cub masters and rover leaders, Tamboly stated that his experience showed those who were associated with scouting in their youth were "focussed and disciplined.” He held up three shining examples from the WZO office: scouters Yezdi Randelia and Hoshedar Parakh, and girl guide Nazneen Parakh. Guests of honor Dr Cyrus Wadia and veteran scouter Parvez Irani too extolled the virtues of scouting.
A film portraying the 100-year journey of the Pack drew appreciation, stated the Group’s note to Parsiana. On display at the event were gadgets built with the help of scouters and rovers, including a raft and a flagpole. The cubs and scouters performed dances from the film Jungle Book with live commentary by cub master Neville Mistry. The function was kicked off with group leader scouter Capt Lavji Mistry’s address while scouter Cyrus Khambatta was the master of ceremonies. Those felicitated included, besides the chief guest and the guests of honor, past and present cub masters.
The Scout Group was started by scouter Rustomji Sethna. "Later on the Cub Pack was started in 1923 and the Sea Scout Troop in 1962 under the leadership of scouter Soli R. Daroona,” states their note. Reportedly the oldest functioning scout group in India, according to the note, "we would not be surprised if we are one of the oldest continuous running scout groups in the world.” Their Sea Scout Troop is the only such active troop in Bombay.
Group camps take place in May and December; year-round activities are hikes, outings, picnics, treasure hunts, cycling, excursions and sailing. Meetings take place on Saturdays (4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.) and Sundays (7.45 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.) at C. J. Colony Recreation Centre grounds, Tardeo. "Boys between six and 17 years of age can join the Group to learn new skills, improve their health and increase ability to focus and have a good time while doing so… It gives them experiences outside of their television screens, computers, smart phones,” stated the note. Parents who want their kids to join can contact Lavji Mistry on 09820401992.
In response to Parsiana’s queries, Randelia informed us that other Parsi-established scout troops are Talati’s Scout Group (established 1920); 16th East Bombay Zoroastrian Bharat Scout Group (1920); 32nd West Mumbai Pioneer Scouts (1927); Homavazir’s 11th Scout Group (1927). F. J.