CULTURAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
2,500th Buddha Jayanti Celebrations The year 1956 marks the 2,500th birth anniversary of Buddha. It has been decided to observe on the occasion a cultural programme consisting of various items.
A provision of Rs. 15 lakhs has been made in the Ministry's budget for 1956-57 to meet expenditure on the items with which the Ministry of Education is concerned.
In addition to the cultural programme, large construction works have been undertaken jointly by the Government of India and the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bhopal at important Buddhist centres for the benefit of the Indian and foreign pilgrims who are expected to visit these places in large numbers. (Demand No. 19).
INDIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO
Second Conference of Indian National Commission for UNESCO The Second Conference of the Indian National Commission for UNESCO was held at New Delhi on 6th and 7th February, 1956. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad presided over the Inaugural Session and delivered the Presidential Address. The Assistant Director-General of Unesco, who was present, also addressed the Session. The Conference considered Unesco's programme and adopted important recommendations and resolutions regarding the future programme of Unesco and the Commission.
Ninth General Conference of UnescoThe Government of India's invitation to hold the Ninth Session of Unesco General Conference in India was unanimously accepted at the Eighth Session of the General Conference. The Session will be held at New Delhi in November-December 1956. As host country, India will be required to provide various services and facilities.
EDUCATION The Ministry of Education and the Indian National Commission for Unesco continued to supply Unesco with such information and
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literature as the Organisation needed from time to time. The Gov- ernment also cooperated in Unesco's Programme of educational and cultural missions.
International Understanding Cooperation was extended to Unesco in the implementation of its programme of popularising the objectives and purposes of the United Nations and its specialised agencies. The United Nations Day and Human Rights Day were widely celebrated in educational institutions and by the public in general.
The Government is also participating in Unesco's Programme of Coordinated Experimental Activities in Schools which is designed to encourage the teachings of the aims and objectives of the United Nations and its Specialised Agencies. Eight Indian schools are participating in this Project at present.
Fundamental Education Unesco's Programme in the field of Fundamental Education is being fully utilised for the development of education in the country. It has been decided to set up a National Fundamental Education Centre in cooperation with Unesco. For this purpose Unesco is offering assistance in the form of four fellowships, experts and equipment.
Seminars A Seminar on the problems of Maladjustment of Adolescent Students to their Academic and Social Surroundings was organised at Hyderabad in April, 1955. The Seminar discussed various problems and made important recommendations.
The Government of India acted as host country for the Unesco Seminar on the Development of Public Libraries in Delhi in September, 1955.
Plans are now in progress to organise a Seminar on the Role of Arts and Crafts in Education and Community Development under the auspices of the Indian National Commission. During the next financial year, it is proposed to organise a Regional Seminar on Folk Arts.
Projects In collaboration with Unesco, the Government of India are orga- nising a Pilot Project on the Development of Radio Forum as a means of Fundamental education in Bombay.
A Project on Production of Reading Materials for neo-literates hag been undertaken by Unesco with a view to assisting Member
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States in the planning and the production of reading materials es- pecially designed for neo-literates.
Fellowships and Travel Grants Necessary facilities were afforded for study and research at Indian Universities and educational institutions to scholars from Egypt, Japan, Liberia, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand, who came to India under Unesco Fellowship Schemes. Fellowships were also awarded to Indian Nationals for training abroad, under the Unesco Exchange of Persons Programme.
Unesco awarded Travel Grants to Indian Youth leaders and students to enable them to participate in international conferences, seminars and work camps organised by international organisations abroad.
SCIENCE
Humid Tropical Zone Research Programme The Government of India collaborated with Unesco in their Pro- gramme of Humid Tropical Zone Research. Indian experts were nominated on Unesco Panel of honorary consultants for Humid Tropics Research. Information and literature on the subject, asked for by Unesco, was supplied to them.
Oceanographical and Marine Biological Research The Government of India participated in Unesco's Regional Meeting of Representatives of Marine Science Institutions of Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council, Regional Symposium on Physical Oceanography and First Session of the Interim International Advisory Committee on Marine Sciences.
Unesco Research Centre for Southern Asia on Social Implications of
Industrialisation The Government of India's request to set up the Centre in India has been accepted by the Executive Board of Unesco. The Centre will be located at Calcutta. Its main object would be to assist the participating countries in developing the social science resources of the study of social implications of economic development with special reference to technological change and planning.
CULTURE
Translation of Indian Classics The Government of India have been participating in Unesco's Project of Translation of Eastern Classics into Western Languages since 1953. Arrangements for the translation of some of the Classics
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recommended by the Indian National Commission have already been made and work is now in progress. A further list of Indian Classics in various languages has been sent to Unesco on the recommendation of the Sahitya Akademi.
Translation of Inter-Asian Classics One of the recommendations of the First Conference of the Indian National Commission was on the dissemination of culture on a regional basis through reciprocal translations of Asian and African classics into different languages of the region. It is proposed to undertake this programme during the next financial year.
International Campaign for Museums It is proposed to cooperate with Unesco, in their Campaign for Museums in 1956 which is designed to emphasise the importance of the role of Museums in the life of national community and in promoting international understanding.
Exhibitions The following exhibitions were circulated in India-
(i) Unesco Second Travelling Exhibition of Colour Reproductions (Paintings prior to 1860).
(ii) Unesco Travelling Exhibition of Japanese Art Woodcuts.
(iii) Unesco Travelling Exhibition of Reproductions of Chinese Art.
Unesco's offer to circulate a Travelling Library of Visual Aids for Fundamental Education in India has been accepted.
Twenty-five paintings by Indian Children have been sent to Oslo in connection with the International Jubilee Exhibition organised by the Norwegian Association of Art Teachers in Oslo in collaboration with the Norwegian National Commission for Unesco.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Unesco Coupon Scheme The Government of India are continuing to participate in the Unesco Coupon Scheme which enables the participating universities and other educational and scientific institutions and organisations in the country to obtain their requirements of books, scientific material and equipment and educational and scientific films from other countries by making payment in the national currency and free of import restrictions. Coupons worth $265,278.28 for books, $335,257.41 for scientific material and equipment and $ 34,446.28 for films have so far been distributed to institutions etc.
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Translation of Unesco Literature The Indian National Commission has undertaken translation of Unesco, literature in Hindi with financial assistance from Unesco. It is also proposed to translate some of the Unesco publications into other Indian languages.
Unesco Questionnaires and Surveys In response to questionnaires and enquiries from Unesco and for information in the fields of education, science and culture in India, available information has been compiled and furnished to the Orga- nisation.
Unesco Cooperation Office It is proposed to set up at New Delhi a Unesco Cooperation Office for South Asia, in collaboration with the National Commissions of Burma, Ceylon, Indonesia and Nepal. This Office is intended to promote closer cooperation and understanding between the Member States of this region, to assist Unesco in formulating programmes and projects suited to the needs and aspirations of the region, and to assist Unesco in implementation of their projects and programmes.
Expanded Technical Assistance Programme The Government of India continued participation in the Unesco Technical Assistance Programme during the year under report. Under this programme experts, fellowships and equipment were made available by Unesco for various scientific and technological institutions in India.
Under this Programme, the Government of the U.S.S.R. have agreed in principle to help India in the establishment of the Western Higher Technological Institute at Bombay. A joint Government of India-Unesco Mission visited Moscow in September-October, 1955. It is expected that the Institution will start functioning in 1957.
Technical Aid under Normal Programme of Unesco Under this programme for 1955-56, Unesco will be rendering as- sistance by way of supplying experts, fellowships and equipment for the proposed Science Museum in the National Physical Laboratory, INSDOC and the Central Bureau of Textbook Research.
The following budget provision has been made for 1956-57:
(i) Rs. 1,00,000 for the Indian National Commission for Unesco.
(ii) Rs. 1,67,000 for the Unesco Research Centre for Southern Asia on the Social Implications of Industrialisation.
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(iii) Rs. 60,000 for Unesco Cooperation Office for South Asia.
(iv) Rs. 10,00,000 for Ninth General Conference.
Conferences Abroad The Government of India participated in the 18th International Conference on Public Education held at Geneva in July, 1955, which discussed the questions of financing education and teaching visual arts in Primary and Secondary schools. They also participated in the meeting of the International Advisory Committee on Natural Sciences Research and in the Consultation Conference of Government Officials from Youth Services and Representatives of Youth Organisations and various other Expert Committees meetings held by Unesco.
For 1956-57 a sum of Rs. 30,000 has been provided for participation in the 19th International Conference on Public Education and other important Conferences and Seminars to be convened by Unesco in implementation of their programme.
Tensions Project The research work under this project was previously conducted through prominent research scholars. In 1955, grants were paid to eight universities to enable them to undertake research on various aspects of social tensions. This project has been transferred to the University Grants Commission. (Demand No. 19)
Contribution to Unesco India has been a member of Unesco since its inception and has all along played an important part in moulding its policies and programmes with a view to promoting better understanding. cooperation and peace in the world. The membership of the Organisation has now reached 74.
As a member of the Unesco, the Government of India are committed to pay such yearly contribution as the General Conference may decide from time to time. A sum of Rs. 14,87,000 has been provided in the budget for 1956-57 for payment of India's contribution to Unesco for 1956. (Demand No. 20)
London University institute of Education Fellowships The fellowships envisage a special investigation into current educational problems of the country at the London University Institute of Education for one year. The value of each fellowship is $ 550 (including $ 50 for travel within the United Kingdom and nearer parts of Europe) which is shared by the Government of India and
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the Institute on a 50-50 basis. During 1955-56, only one fellowship could be used. The applications for two fellowships for 1956-57 have been invited and the selections are expected to be made shortly. (Demand No. 19)
Foreign Languages Scholarship Scheme The purpose of the Scheme, apart from promoting cultural con- tacts, is two-fold, viz., to train a band of teachers employed in institution teaching foreign languages, thereby improving the quality of teaching, and secondly to provide certain services which require proficiency in foreign languages with qualified teaching personnel.
In 1954-55, only 13 scholarships (one each in Chinese and Russian, two in German, three each in Arabic, French and Persian) could be awarded. The selection of 30 candidates for 1955-56 Scheme has been finalised. The Scheme will be continued during 1956-57. A provision of Rs. 3,90,000 has been made in the budget estimates for that year. (Demand No. 19)
Indo-German Industrial Cooperation scheme The Government of West Germany have offered facilities to 50 Indians for post-graduate study and 80 for practical training during 1956-57. As a reciprocal measure 10 Fellowships for German nationals for Study of Indian languages, Religion and Philosophy, etc. at the Indian Universities are being offered.
Foreign Awards and Passage Expenses The undernoted awards of Scholarships/fellowships were made to Indian nationals by foreign governments and institutions and international organisations for study training abroad during 1955-56. Their publicity and servicing was done by the Ministry.
Awarding Authority Number of Awards
1. Colombo Plan 31
2. Point Four Programme 14
3. U. N. Social Welfare Programme 5
4. Unesco Technical Assistance Programme 14
5. Unesco Fellowships for Study/Training in
Specific Fields 5
6. Government of Austria 18
7. Government of Israel 1
8. Government of Italy 3
9. Government of Netherlands 1
10. Government of Norway 1
11. Government of Switzerland 1
12. Government of West Germany 6
13. Government of Yugoslavia 4 (renewal)
14. Federation of British Industries 6
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15. International Association for Exchange of
Students for Technical Experience 13
16. The London Transport Authority 3
17. British Council 7
18. Brush Aboe Group 1
19. Royal Commission for the London Exhibition, 1851 1
It is expected that the above organisations and the Government will continue the arrangements for awards to Indian Nationals during 1956-57 also. Definite offers have, however, to be received so far from the following:-
1. Federation of British Industries Scholarships 6
2. International Association for exchange of students
for Technical experience 41
3. British Council 1
4. Brush Aboe Group 2
5. Royal Commission for the London Exhibition of 1851 1
6. Indian Women's Education Association, London. 1