(11) Delegates were also sent to participate in the 2500th Anniversary Celebrations of Lord Buddha in Cambodia and Thailand.
(12) An Indian sports team was sent to participate in the Jashan Celebrations in Afghanistan and poets, musicians and dancers from India participated in the Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations and the Indian Republic Day Celebrations organised by our Embassy in Nepal.
(13) A study team was also sent to France to study the French system of education with a view to establishing equivalence between Indian and French degrees.
(14) Mr. Halldor Laxness, an Icelandic Writer and Nobel Prize Winner, was invited by the Government of India for a three-week tour of India.
(15) A Sports Team was invited from Afghanistan. The team played exhibition hockey matches in Delhi and Lucknow.
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(16) Prof. Julius Germanus, an Hungarian scholar of Arabic studies was invited to India for a culture tour for a period of four weeks.
The following. activities feature in the programme for the remaining part of the year.--
(1) Presentation of art objects to Malaya and presentation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi to the City of Rio-de-Janerio, and a statue of Buddha to Ceylon.
(2) Presentation of books and library sets worth about Rs. 80,000 to cultural and educational institutions and libraries in various parts of the world.
(3) Purchasing copies of the Persian translation of "Letters from a Father to his Daughter" by Shri Jawaharlal Nehru.
(4) Cultural visits of some scholars to Nepal.
(5) Visit of a dance and music troupe to Japan.
(6) A mongolian exhibition of photographs is being organised under the auspices of the Government of India.
A sum of Rs. 25,00,000 has been provided for cultural activities during 1958-59.
The following are some of the important activities under con- sideration for implementation in 1958-59:-
(1) Grants to Cultural Associations in West Asia- S.E.A., Nepal and U.K.
(2) Exchange of scholars with China, Poland. Yugoslavia and Japan.
(3) Subsidising foreign versions of Indian Classics and other modern works.
(4) Award of Scholarships to Students from Israel, Turkey, Laos, Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan and Sikkim.
(5) Presentation of books to Institutions/Libraries in West Asia. Ethiopia, Mauritius, Ghana, Nigeria, Madagascar, Dar-es- Salaam. Zanzibar. British East Africa, Rhodesia Nyasaland, Italy, Nepal, British West Indies and Japan.
(6) Indian Art Exhibitions are proposed to be sent to Germany, Austria. Bulgaria. Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Australia. Switzerland. Yugoslavia, U.S.A., Canada and Japan.
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(7) Art Exhibitions are proposed to be invited from Bulgaria, U.S.S.R. and South Vietnam.
(8) Cultural delegations and distinguished visitors are proposed to be invited from Afghanistan, France, Indonesia, Poland, U.S.S.R.. Sikkim, Japan and Nepal.
(9) Sending cultural delegations to Scandinavian countries, Tibet, U.S.A.. U.S.S.R., Afghanistan and China.
(10) Exchange of Professors with U.S.S.R.
(11) Exchange of Artists, Scientists, Journalists and films with U.S.S.R., Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Mongolia and Japan.
(12) Setting-up of Chairs of Indian Studies in Africa and Japan.
(13) Training of teachers from Sikkim, British West Indies and British Guiana.
(14) Participation in Celebrations of Gandhi Jayanti etc. in Nepal.
(15) Sending of Indian Teachers/Cultural Lecturers abroad.
(16) Grant to Scholarships Fund in British West Indies.
(17) Teaching of Hindi to African Students studying in India.
(18) Participation in International Congresses and Conferences in Finland and the U.S.A.
International Students House: A sum of Rs. 4.68 lakhs was provided as grant for construction of the International Students' House at Delhi. However, it was decided later not to start con- struction work this year as an economy measure.
A provision of Rs. 4,00,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1958-59 for the construction of the International Students' House.
Indian Council for Cultural Relations-Maintenance Grant: Out of a sum of Rs. 3,00,000 provided for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, a sum of Rs. 2,00,000 has been released to the Council. The balance of the grant is expected to be paid before the close of the financial year.
For the next year, a sum of Rs. 5,00,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for this purpose.
Indian Council for Cultural Relations-Building Grant: The entire amount of Rs. 4,10,000 provided in the current year's budget
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for the construction of a building for the I.C.C.R. has been surrendered as a measure of economy.
Provision of Rs. 3,85,400 has been made for the purpose in the next year's budget estimate.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND YOUTH WELFARE
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Establishment of National College of Physical Education: The National College of Physical Education which has now been named the Lakshmibai College of Physical Education after the late Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi started functioning at Gwalior from 17th August, 1957. The College that is situated in a campus of about 150 acres, is the only institution of its kind in the country and will provide training facilities for a three-year degree course in Physical education at the under-graduate level. It will ultimately develop into a national centre for post-graduate studies and research in Physical education. Pending the construction of its own buildings the College has started functioning in the buildings of the former Race Course at Gwalior.
Initially the College started with 30 admissions that will pro- gressively increase. The ultimate aim is to admit 100 students every year. Although a coeducational institution only men students have been admitted this year.
A Syllabus for a three-year degree course has also since been finalised.
The Government of India have earmarked a total provision of Rs. 70 lakhs to meet non-recurring as well as recurring expenditure on the college during the Second Five-Year Plan period. Grants amounting to Rs. 1,69,126 have been paid so far to the Board of Governors of the College during 1957-58 to meet the expenditure on the College during the year.
For 1958-59 a budget provision of Rs. 17.64 lakhs has been made for the College, out of which Rs. 12 lakhs are earmarked for the construction of the College buildings. The construction work of the College buildings has been entrusted to the Central Public Works Department.
For purposes of administration and control, the college has been placed under an autonomous Board of Governors with a Chairman nominated by the Government of India.
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Scheme for the Promotion of Physical Education under Second Five- Year Plan: On the basis of the recommendations of the Central Advisory Board, of Physical Education and Recreation, the Government of India have included the following schemes in their educational development programme under the Second Five-Year Plan with a total provision of Rs. 40 lakhs over the Plan period for these Schemes:
(i) Strengthening of Institutions and Colleges of Physical Education.
(ii) Implementation of the Syllabuses of Physical Education for Boys and Girls (from Primary to Higher Secondary stage) prepared by the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation.
(iii) Promotion of Research in Physical Education.
(iv) Popularisation of Norms of Physical Efficiency Tests.
(v) Conducting Seminars on Physical Education for Physical Educationists,
(vi) Award of Visiting Fellowships.
(vii) Award of Scholarships for Higher Studies in Physical Education.
(viii) Financial Assistance to Vyayamshalas and Akadas.
(ix) Miscellaneous measures e.g., Publication of literature, Celebration of National Physical Efficiency Weeks and Days, National Festival of Physical and Recreational Activities, Production of Documentary and Feature Films on Physical Education etc.
All these schemes have been forwarded to all State Governments/ Union Territories and the Physical Education Training Institutions with the request that proposals for financial assistance under the schemes may be forwarded to this Ministry. There has been quite a good response from the State Governments and the Universities for proposals for financial assistance.
Reconstitution of Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation: The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation has been reconstituted. The first meeting of the reconstituted Board was held on 31-1-58. The Board, it may be added, had been set up by the Government of India in 1950 to advise on the coordination of all programmes and activities in the field of Physical Education and Recreation, but, had been held in abeyance
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on account of financial stringencies and was revived in 1953. The Board functioned till December, 1956 when the Government decided to reconstitute it so as to make it more broadbased.
In pursuance of one of the recommendations of the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation as contained in the National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation, the State Governments and the Universities have been requested in a circular letter to set up State and University Boards of Physical Education and Recreation with powers and functions similar to the Central. Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation.
Recognition of Diplomas and Certificates of Physical Education Training Institutions: The Central Advisory Board of Physical Edu- cation and Recreation had prepared Rules for the Recognition of Diplomas and Certificates of Physical Education Training Institutions in the country. The Board had; also set up a Committee of its own to scrutinize the diplomas and certificates of Physical Education Training Institutions in this connection. The Committee in its report has recommended that for a proper assessment of the Diploma and Certificate courses offered by the various institutions for purposes of their recognition by the Government of India, an 'on-the-spot' study of the various institutions by an Inspecting Team would be necessary. This recommendation of the Committee has been accepted by the Government and an Inspecting Team of the Government is proposed to be sent out for an 'on-the-spot" study of the various institutions. An exhaustive questionnaire has been sent out by the Government to the institutions in this connection. The information collected through the questionnaire will be utilised by the Inspecting Team during their 'on-the-spot' study of the institutions concerned.
Sports: The programme of holding Coaching Camps which was initiated in October, 1955 was continued during the period under report and Coaching Camps in Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton and Wrestling have been conducted in which nearly 80 teachers/ physical instructors drawn from educational institutions in the country received training in the method and technique of the game. Before the close of the year coaching camps in Table Tennis, Hockey, Cricket, Football, Athletics, Kabaddi and Swimming are, proposed to be held.
A new experiment, namely, coaching camps on regional basis, is proposed to be initiated during this winter. On an experiment basis, it has been decided to hold Regional Coaching Camps in Cricket,
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Athletics and Football at Madras, Bombay and Delhi respectively during the months of February and March, 1958 and if the experiment proves successful more such camps will be held.
For the promotion of Sports and Games in the country, grants have been paid to the National Sports Federation amounting to Rs. 58,538/9/-. A sum of Rs. 2,58,380 has been paid to the U.P. Council of Sports for the construction of a Sports Stadium at Lucknow and another sum of Rs. 45,000 has been paid to Mysore Government for the construction of a Guest House.
For the better coordination and organization of Sports activities paid Secretaries have been appointed to the following National Sports Organizations/State Councils of Sports:-(a) Indian Hockey Federation; (b) Badminton Association of India; (c) Basketball Federation of India; (d) National Rifle Association; (e) U.P. Council of Sports; and (f) Kerala Sports Council.
On the lines of the All-India Council of Sports, State Councils of Sports have been set up in the States of Assam, Bombay, Kerala, Madras, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra, Bihar, West Bengal and in the Centrally administered areas of Delhi and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Rajkumari Sports Coaching Scheme:-The Rajkumari Sports Coaching Scheme was inaugurated in September, 1953. The Scheme during the five years of its operation has made the country coaching conscious, established permanent coaching centres, offered coaching assistance to various State centres in almost all sports-outdoor and indoor--and organised coaching of coaches with the help of foreign coaching personnel. During this year it has concentrated mostly on the Youth of India by organising Coaching Camps at University and School Centres. A grant of Rupees three lakhs was made up to December 1957 and a grant of Rupees two lakhs is expected to be released by the end of the financial year 1957-58. It is proposed to organise coaching in Athletics, Tennis, Circket, Hockey, Football, Badminton, Table Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming and Gymnastics at a total cost of Rupees five lakhs during 1958-59.
Bharat Scouts and Guides:-In order to help the expansion of the movement in the country, the Government of India have sanctioned grants to the tune of Rs. 1,58,561 during 1957-58. This figure includes a grant-in-aid of Rs. 74,448 given to the National Head- quarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides for meeting 50% of the cost on return airfare of 47 Scouts and guides, who participated in the Jubilee Scouts Jamboree and World Camp of Girl Guides. held at
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London in July-August) 1957. A grant-in-aid of Rs. 9,113 was also sanctioned for sending a contingent of Girl Guides to participate in the Philippines Jamboree.
With a view to establishing a permanent all-India Training Centre at Pachmarhi for training of Scout-Masters and others, the National Headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides have submitted a proposal requesting the Government of India for financial assistance. The request is under consideration.
Health Education:-With a view to implementing the suggestion of Indian Delegation that attended the Joint Seminar organised by W.H.O./F.A.O., in Baguio (Philippine Islands) in October, 1955, the Government of India have set up a Committee on Health Education and Nutrition Education with effect from 16th December, 1957. The Committee will work out a programme and syllabus of Health Education and Nutrition for introduction in Primary and Secondary Schools and Teachers' Training Colleges.
National Discipline Scheme:-The National Discipline Scheme that has the object of imparting physical and moral discipline to children has been taken over from the Ministry of Rehabilitation by this Ministry in December, 1957. As implemented by the Ministry of Rehabilitation the Scheme is in force only in schools for displaced children in certain parts of Northern India. It is now proposed to extend the scope of the scheme to schools other than those for displaced children in three regions of the country corresponding to Bombay, Bengal and the Punjab. Shri J. K. Bhonsle has been appointed Adviser for the implementation of the National Discipline Scheme. The scheme will be implemented in 195 schools during 1957-58 and 1958-59. This figures is expected to rise to 300 during 1960-61.
Youth Welfare:-After the recent cut imposed on the entire Plan provision, a sum of Rs. 70 lakhs was provided for Youth Welfare Schemes for the Second Plan period. A sum of Rs. 6.66 lakhs was earmarked for this programme for the year 1957-58. A brief account of the progress on these schemes is as follows:
Student's Tours:-Under this programme the Government of India render financial assistance to schools and colleges for organising educational tours for small batches of students. The grant is to the extent of 75% of the railway/bus fare at students' concessional rates. Organised tours have become popular with the students. During the current financial year a sum of Rs. 1,49,475 has already been sanctioned for the benefit of about 5,207 students and teachers of 170 institutions. A sum of Rs. 2,00,000 has been provided for the
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year 1958-59 for this scheme out of the total Plan provision of Rs. 10 lakhs.
Inter-University and Inter-Collegiate Youth Festivals.-The Fourth Inter-University Youth Festival was held from 1st to 10th November, 1957 at New Delhi. Sixteen hundred students from 38 universities participated.
The Fourth Festival has been the biggest in the series conducted so far; the number of participants was the largest and arrangements were more elaborate than those made in previous years. The duration of the festival was also increased from seven to 10 days. Several additional features were introduced in the recent festival, by way of an additional theatre, club room facilities and increased facilities for accommodation, sanitary conveniences etc. Another important feature of this year's festival was that the programme included Symposia on subjects of general interest to students in addition to competitions in Drama, Dance, Music and Elocution and an Arts and Crafts Exhibition.