In several of these cases, the scholarships do not include any provision for passage expenses. In such cases, the Government of India meet the passage expenses. A provision of Rs. 62,000 exists in the budget estimates for 1956-57 for this purpose. (Demand No. 19)

The Ministry of Education also helps private students/trainees to secure admissions in institutions/firms in foreign countries. All possible assistance is rendered to these students to obtain passage and exchange facilities and secure employment for them on their return to this country. While they are abroad, their general welfare is looked after with the help of the Indian Missions abroad.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO FOREIGNERS FOR STUDIES IN INDIA

Colombo Plan Scholarships and Fellowships

These scholarships and fellowships are for scholars from South and South-East Asian countries. During 1955-56 this Ministry arranged for the admission of 89 scholars, of whom 85 have joined their respective institutions so far.

Cottage Industries and Vocational Training Scheme

The Government of India approved in 1953-54 a scheme for the award of 25 scholarships for a period of two years to trainees from East and Central Africa for training in cottage industries and other vocational subjects. Mauritius, British West Indies and Fiji were also included in the Scheme in 1954-55. The scheme has, however, been implemented in 1955-56. Nineteen trainees are studying in India under the Scheme. (Demand No. 19)

French Fellowships Scheme

These fellowships are tenable for a period of two years and the French nationals are required to teach the French language at Indian Universities where they are placed and to research in their field of interest. The expenditure is shared jointly by the Government of India and the Universities. Six fellows of the 1955-57 batch have recently arrived in India and joined their respective universities. A provision of Rs. 20,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57 for this scheme. (Demand No. 19)

General Cultural Scholarships Scheme

With the object of promoting cultural relations with neighbouring countries and in order to offer educational facilities available in India to students of countries which are not so well equipped in this respect, the Government of India initiated in 1949-50 a scheme for the award of 70 scholarships every year to students of certain Asian, African and other Commonwealth Countries. The number of scholarships under the Scheme has been raised from 100 in 1952-53 to 140 in 1956- 57. At present, 301 scholars are studying in India under this scheme.

A provision of Rs. 11,23,000 has been made in the budget esti- mates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Reciprocal Scholarships Scheme

To reciprocate a gesture of goodwill made by several foreign governments in awarding scholarships to Indian nationals, the Government of India instituted in the year 1954 a scheme to award 20 scholarships to their nationals for study in India. The countries included under the scheme were: Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. The scholarships are generally tenable for a period of two years and the selection is made once in every two years.

During 1954-55, 17 scholarships were used. Nine scholars are still studying in India. During 1956-57, it is proposed to increase the number of scholarships from 20 to 29. A provision of Rs. 69,000 has been made in the budget estimate for that year for expenditure on the Scheme. (Demand No. 19)

In addition to the above scholarship schemes for foreign nationals for study in this country, the Ministry of Education arranges for admission of private students who come to India for studies.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO BHUTANESE STUDENTS FOR STUDY IN INDIA

The Government of India have selected 23 Bhutanese students in 1955-56 for award of scholarships for study in Public Schools in India.

Programme for Exchange of Scholars between China & India

A programme for the exchange of students between India and China has been started with effect from the year 1955-56. Under this programme seven Indian students are being sent to China. Ten Chinese students have come to India and joined their respective universities.

The programme will be continued during 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Grants to Hostels

The Government of India make an annual recurring grant of $ 250 to Indian students Union and Hostel (Indian Y.M.C.A.) London and of $1,665 to Guilford Street Indian Students Hostel, London. A sanction for $933 for exterior repairs and decoration of the latter has been accorded during 1955-56.

A sum of $4,200 has been provided for in the budget for 1956-57 of the High Commission in the United Kingdom to meet expenditure on the hostels. (Demand No. 19)

International Students' House, Delhi

The Government of India have decided to establish an Inter- national Students' House at Delhi where students from abroad, as well as Indian students and foreign visitors interested in education and cultural work, may be accommodated. The proposal is estimated to cost Rs. 8,20,000 as non-recurring expenditure and Rs. 50,000 per annum as recurring deficit expenditure on maintenance.

A provision of Rs. 3 lakhs has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57, in addition to Rs. 3,15,000 that will be given during 1955-56 for beginning construction. (Demand No. 19)

Scholarships to Young Workers in Different Cultural Fields

Awards under the Scheme are open to talented young persons in any field of cultural activity. For the second batch (1955-56) 29 candidates were selected for these scholarships, on the recommendation of the Central Committee, 20 of whom have accepted the offers and have commenced their approved courses of training.

It is proposed to appoint a special committee to review the scheme after the candidates selected for the, second batch have been at their authorised courses of training for sometime.

A sum of Rs. 3,24,000 has been included in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Grants to Educational and Cultural Organisations

An amount of Rs. 1,28,000 has so far been granted to 19 organi- sations doing useful work in the field of culture.

A provision of Rs. 2,55,000 has been made in the budget for 1956- 57 for grants-in-aid to cultural organisations. (Demand No. 19).

Loans and Advances

An interest-free loan of Rs. 5,50,000 has been given to the All- India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi for the construction of its building. (Demand No. 121).

Cultural, Relations with Foreign Countries

During the current financial year grants have been paid to the following institutions:

Royal India-Pakistan-Ceylon Society, London for the publication of its Journal "Art and Letters".

Albert Society College, Switzerland.

Indo-Turkish Cultural Association.

Indo-Egyptian Cultural Association.

Indo-Iranian Cultural Association.

Crossby-Hall, London.

Shanti Sadan, London.

Grants to the following are under consideration and are likely to materialise before the end of the current financial year:

India Gymkhana Club, London.

Imperial Institute, London.

Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust, Colombo.

India League, Sydney, Australia. (Demand No. 19)

Charges in England

A provision of $950 exists under this sub-head for contribution to the School of Oriental and African-Studies, London, during the

current financial year. A provision of $975 has been included in the budget for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

A provision of Rs. 6,000 exists in the current budget for grants to societies under the item "Charges in England", out of which a sum of $200 is meant for a grant to the Royal Asiatic Society, London. (Demand No. 20)

DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ABROAD

During the year 1955-56, a sum of Rs. 9,00,000 was provided for development of cultural activities. It has been possible to finance a number of important schemes out of this provision during the current financial year. Some of the important activities undertaken during the year under review were:

Sending of poets to Poland.

Presentation of books to Institution and Libraries abroad

Sending of delegates to the International Congresses and assisting other Indians to participate in such conferences

Sending of Student-Teacher Delegation to China.

Sending of Indian Film Delegation to China.

Sending of a student delegate to the New York Herald Tribune Forum, U.S.A.

Promotion of Education and Hindi abroad.

Grants-in-aid to the Educational institutions, cultural and social organisations abroad.

Participation in the International Arts Exhibitions and assistance for holding Indian Art Exhibitions abroad.

Sending of Sports teams to foreign countries.

Assistance to dancers, musicians, etc. to go abroad and to take their troupes abroad.

Establishment of libraries abroad.

Participation in the Pageant of Peace held in Washington.

Visit of a Nepalese Student-Teacher party to India.

Grant for establishment of a Research Institute in Tibetology in Gangtok.

Training of one monk coming from Laos at the Nalanda Institute.

In addition to the above, a number of activities are under active consideration and in the event of their materialisation, additional funds will be provided for this purpose during 1955-56.

Fir the next financial year, i.e. 1956-57, the Ministry of Finance have agreed to a lump provision of Rs. 15 lakhs for development of cultural activities with foreign countries (other than cultural delegations to and from India). (Demand No. 19)

Cultural Delegations

During the current financial year, a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs was set apart for the purpose of inviting/sending of cultural delegations to and from India. The amount was utilised for the following delegations: 1. Sending an Indian Cultural Delegation to China.

2. Meeting outstanding bills of the Chinese Cultural Delegation's visit to India.

3. Old bills of the Indian delegation to U.S.S.R.

4. Visit of the Uzbek Dancers to India.

In addition to the above the following proposals are in hand:

1. Sending a, delegation of dancers and musicians to South East Asia.

2. The visit to India of a Polish Art Exhibition.

In view of the anticipated increase in activities under the sub- head `Delegations' the Ministry has provided a lump provision of Rs. 10 lakhs during the next financial year. (Demand No. 19)

Financial Assistance to Distinguished Persons in Indigent Circumstances

To implement the decision of the Government of India to assist by the award of suitable allowance and/or lump sum grant to persons distinguished in letters, art and other such walks of life who may be in indigent circumstances, a sum of Rs. 200,000 was provided for the year 1955-56 and the same amount exists in the estimates for 1956-57.

Under the scheme, 107 persons have so far been given assistance ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 150 p.m. or lump sum grants ranging from Rs. 250 to Rs. 1,000 in each case. (Demand No 20)

National Gallery of Modem Art

A provision of Rs. 1.1 lakhs was made in 1955-56 for the installation of an air-conditioning plant and fitting indirect lights in the National Gallery of Modern Art. (Demand No. 101)

A sum of Rs. 2 lakhs has been provided for the air-conditioning of' the building of the gallery in the budget estimates for 1956-57.

Sangeet Natak Akademi

The Akademi's current year's programme includes awards for dance, drama, film and folk dance, the administration of the President's awards for music; sponsoring of a National Dance Festival; organisation of a. Film Seminar and a Drama Seminar and grants to institutions.

A sum of Rs. 4,85,800 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57 against the current year's provision of Rs. 4,45,800. (Demand No. 19).

Sahitya Akademi

The main activities envisaged by the Akademi are:

Publication of a National Bibliography of Indian literature.

A "Who's Who" in Indian Literature.

Publication of edited texts of all the works of Kalidas.

Publication of Anthologies.

Translation of eminent works from one language into other Indian languages.

Proposal to hold an Exhibition of Indian Literature in 1956.

Administration of the scheme of award of prizes for outstanding works published in Indian languages during the last three years.

Arrangements for the selection of passages and their translation into English for publication by the Unesco.

A sum of Rs. 3.3 lakhs has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Lalit Kala Akademi

The programme of the Akademi for the current year includes arranging art exhibitions in India and abroad, the survey of folk arts and crafts and the bringing out of art publications. The Akademi has already completed the production of (1) "Mughal Miniatures" (2) "A Portfolio of Contemporary Paintings" and (3) a set of 12 picture postcards in colour. A seminar on Art education is being organised by the Akademi in February, 1956.

A sum of Rs. 2.86 lakhs has been provided in the budget for 1956- 57. (Demand No. 19).

Minister's Discretionary Fund

A sum of Rs. 7,500 has been paid to M/S M. C. Sirkar & Co., Calcutta, for bringing out a Bengali edition of the publication "History of Philosophy-Eastern and Western" in English. (Demand No. 19).

Building for the Three National Akademis

A plot of land measuring three acres facing Queen Victoria Road has been selected for the building for the three National Akademis. A provision of Rs. 6 lakhs has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19).

Building for the National Theatre

It is proposed to establish a well-equipped National Theatre at Delhi. Two architects were sent abroad to study National Theatres and Opera House in some western countries and to submit their report on the requirements of the Indian National Theatre. They have since returned and their report is awaited.

A sum of Rs. 1 lakh has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 136).

National Museum

A provision of Rs. 3,00,000 against the current year's provision of Rs. 2.50 lakhs has been included in the budget for 1956-57. (Demand No. 18).

Building for the National Museum

The foundation stone of the building for the National Museum was laid at New Delhi by the Prime Minister on 12th May, 1955. The work is in progress. A provision of Rs. 10,00,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 136).

Indian Museum, Calcutta

A provision of Rs. 1,30,660 has been made in the budget estimates for 1956-57 as compared to that of Rs. 1,28,000 made during 1955-56. (Demand No. 18)

A provision of Rs. 32,300 has been made in the budget estimates for the payment of Municipal taxes for the Indian Museum, Calcutta. (Demand No. 20)