Be Prepared – The Spirit of the Bharat Guides
At St. Ignatius Convent Hr. Sec. School, Palayamkottai, the Bharat Guides movement plays a vital role in shaping the character, courage, and confidence of young girls.
Rooted in discipline and service, the program trains students to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight — living true to their motto, “Be Prepared.”
Basic Principles
The Bharat Guides program is built upon three guiding principles that define the spirit of every Guide:
- Duty to God and Country
- Duty to Others
- Duty to Self
Through every activity, our Guides strive to live these principles daily — blending faith, service, and self-reliance into their lives.
Motto:
“Be Prepared”
To be ready at all times by being physically strong, mentally alert, and morally upright.
Promise:
“On my honour, I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country,
To help other people and to obey the Guide Law.”
This sacred promise inspires every Guide to live with integrity, serve with compassion, and uphold the true values of leadership and service.
Investiture Ceremony
The Investiture marks the beginning of every girl’s journey into the global sisterhood of Girl Guides.
After successfully completing her Pravesh Test, each recruit — prepared under the guidance of her Patrol Leader — is officially enrolled as a proud member of the Bharat Guides.
The ceremony instills pride, belonging, and the spirit of teamwork among the young Guides.
Training & Syllabus
The Bharat Guides training at St. Ignatius focuses on holistic skill-building that strengthens both character and competence.
The syllabus includes:
- Prayer Song & Flag Song
- Law and Promise
- Flags, Sign, Salute & Handshake
- First Aid & Estimation
- Mapping & Pioneering
- Campcraft, Wiping & Cooking
Each element of training is designed to help students develop survival skills, leadership abilities, and service-oriented mindsets.
Service Activities
Service is at the heart of the Bharat Guides movement.
Our Guides actively participate in community development projects both locally and in collaboration with national campaigns.
They also create useful handcrafted articles for Sangam – The World Centre as part of fundraising and service initiatives, reflecting their dedication to global sisterhood and social responsibility.
Rajyapuraskar Award – A Mark of Excellence
It is a matter of great pride that every year, 24 of our Bharat Guides receive the prestigious Rajyapuraskar Award, a recognition of excellence in discipline, service, and leadership.
This consistent achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and guidance of our school’s Guide captains and mentors.
Field Trips & Rallies
Every year, around 100 students participate in field trips and rallies, creating public awareness on social, environmental, and civic issues.
These experiences encourage teamwork, leadership, and a sense of national responsibility among our Guides.
Leading with Courage, Serving with Joy
The Bharat Guides at St. Ignatius Convent Hr. Sec. School, Palayamkottai embody the spirit of service, friendship, and faith.
By being ever prepared to serve, they carry forward the Ignatian tradition of leadership through love and action — becoming role models of strength, compassion, and integrity.