On August 14, Indonesian scouts celebrate Pramuka Day. It commemorates the founding of the national Scouting organization of Indonesia, Gerakan Pramuka, in 1961.

The Scout Movement came to Indonesia (then the Dutch East Indies) in 1912 as a branch of the Netherlands Pathfinder Organization. Scouting quickly became very popular in the colony, and new Scouting organizations began to emerge.

When Indonesia officially became independent from the Netherlands in 1949, there were over sixty Scouting organizations affiliated with certain social groups or political parties. It was decided to unify them into a single Scout organization.

In 1951, thirteen organizations held a meeting and founded a federating body, Ikatan Pandu Indonesia. In 1952, President Sukarno granted it government approval and became a patron of the National Scout Council. In 1953, Indonesia became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

A single Scout Movement in Indonesia was finally established in 1961. The first public parade of the organization was held on August 14 that same year; this day is now celebrated as Pramuka Day. Gerakan Pramuka incorporates both boy and girl Scouts.

The stamp shown above is a special commemoration stamp issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Gerakan Pramuka. The stamp was issued on 14th August 2011 with the denomination of 2,500 Indonesian rupiahs. The Stamp depicts young boy scout holding flag of Gerakan Pramuka.

Image Courtesy: https://colnect.com

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