Many of our Westchester reader know that we enjoy following, and reporting to you about young men who have completed the rank of Eagle Scout, after providing public service projects that come in a variety of sorts. Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner brought our attention to one outstanding local young man.
“Hari Channagiri is 18 years old and will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, majoring in electrical engineering this fall,” said Feiner. “(Recently) the town dedicated a bridge Hari constructed at East Rumbrook Park off of Dobbs Ferry Road – as part of his Eagle Scout project. Later that evening, the Greenburgh Town Board honored Hari at our Town Board meeting for his outstanding work.”
Unfortunately, Hari was not able to acquire the Eagle Scout rank despite completing all the requirements on time, including his project, explained Feiner. This was due to an Eagle Scout requirement, which stated that one must hold the rank of Life Scout for six months before their 18th birthday. Because Hari got his Life Scout rank in February, he was only a Life Scout for four months.
“During his years as a Boy Scout, he was able to reach the Life Scout rank – the second highest rank possible for a scout,” said the supervisor. “To reach the final rank of Eagle Scout, one must conduct a service project to benefit his community. Hari wanted to incorporate his passion for engineering and design into his project and decided he wanted to build a bridge.”
After contacting local authorities, he began work constructing a bridge over a stream at East Rumbrook Park. According to Feiner, the stream had been eroding the soil and was making it difficult for people to cross from one part of the trail to the other side without getting wet. Thus, a bridge would allow easy access to the other side.
“He began the project in the beginning of March 2018 and finished in the last week of May, also having completed an additional side-project of expanding the trail naturally to allow people to access the bridge through a scenic route,” explained the supervisor. “He enlisted some handymen who assisted in measuring, cutting, and mixing cement.”
Feiner said Hari would like to thank them, Parks Commissioner Gerard Byrne, Parks Superintendent Bobby Breen, and his Troopmates from Boy Scouts Troop 4 Scarsdale, for all their help.
“I am grateful for the support and encouragement offered by the town supervisor, the parks commissioner and the parks superintendent, and thankful for their help in finishing the project so quickly,” said Hari.
“Hari is an exceptional young man and the town is very grateful to him for his hard work, dedication and leadership skills,” said Feiner.
We know that the Boy Scouts of America are “sticklers” for the rules, but here you have an intelligent, dedicated young man who will certainly have a bright future, who wants the honor of having completed his Eagle Scout ranking. We also believe Hari will pass on his experiences as a Boy Scouts to future generations, with either his own children or other young scouts.
This is also the type of “feel good” story that the Scouts could use in this time of other Scout-related news occupying the media. We have passed on this request to our friends at the Boy Scouts of America-Hudson Valley.
“ Many of us feel that the Boy Scouts of America should make an exception and award Hari his Eagle Scout designation. An on line petition has been started and I was proud to add my name to the list of Hari’s supporters.” Said Feiner.
The link to the petition is
And best of luck in the future to Hari, and thanks for your service to your community.
