UNESCO ACTIVITIES
Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco The Government of India have been deeply interested in the basic objectives and activities of Unesco since its inception and have extended their full cooperation to the organization in implementing its various programmes. The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Uhesco was set up to promote understanding of objectives and purposes of Unesco in the country more effectively. The Commission advises the Government of India in all matters relating to Unesco.
After the Commission was brought on a permanent footing, it so far held three conferences. The Third Conference of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco was held in February, 1958. Prof. Humayun Kabir delivered the Presidential address. Owing to the sad demise of its President, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Commission did not continue its deliberations and it authorized the Executive Board to complete the unfinished task of the Conference. Accordingly, a meeting of the Board was convened in July, 1958. This was the Board's eighth meeting after the Commission was set up on a permanent footing. During the period under review, the Executive Board of the Commission was/reconstituted as the terra of the members had expired.
Some of the important activities relating to the Indian National Commission for Unesco for the year under report are given below.
EDUCATION The Ministry of Education and the Indian National Commission continued to provide Unesco with such information as the organization needed from time to time. They also cooperated in Unesco's programme of educational and cultural missions. Necessary facilities for studies in India were arranged for those who came from other Member- States of Unesco under various programmes.
Education for International Understanding.-The Government of India and the Indian National Commission cooperated with Unesco in implementing its programme of popularising the objectives and purposes of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. At the instance of the Indian National Commission, the Education Departments of the State Governments and universities celebrated the
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United Nations Day and Human Rights Day as in the previous years Various States in India were requested to include Education for International understanding in the school curricula. The Commission gave financial assistance to a voluntary Organisation, namely, Unesco Society, Patna for organizing a seminar on Teaching about the United Nations.
The Government of India continued their participation in the Unesco Programme of Associated Schools Projects for Education in International understanding in the school curricula. The Commis- Secondary schools and three Teachers' Training institutions of this country are participating in this programme. The second meeting of the Heads of the participating institutions was held at New Delhi in January, 1958 to review the progress made in the working of the Project and to consider the future programme of the Project in the context of the Unesco's Major Project for the Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values, with which the above. programme had since been integrated.
Under contract with Unesco, the Indian National Commission agreed to hold in India, early in 1959, a national seminar on the Implementation of the Major project for the Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values with special reference to the Unesco Programme of Associated Schools Projects for Education in International Understanding and Cooperation.
Unesco's Projects on the Production of Reading Material for Neo- Literates.-The Government of India have been participating in the Unesco's Project for Production of suitable Reading Material for Neo- Literates that was initiated by the Organization in pursuance of their resolution adopted by the General Conference at its eighth session. The main object of this Project is to assist the Member States in the planning and production of reading materials specially designed for neo-literates. The project has mainly two aspects :-
1. Reading Material for Neo-Literates; and
2. Reading Material for New Reading Public.
Under the auspices of Unesco, an analytical survey was undertaken of the existing methods of book distribution in India. Unesco proposed to offer two contracts to the publishing agencies in India for the translation into. Hindi of two titles of world classics and two titles of science fiction under this Project. Accordingly, the names of various publishing agencies were communicated to Unesco who would undertake the above assignment. The organization has offered the contract to two publishing agencies.
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Unesco also proposes to award ten prizes to the Indian authors of the best books for the new reading public. Each prize will be of the value of $480. The prizes are proposed to be awarded in October, 1959 to the best authors by the Committee set up by the Government of India for the purpose.
Seminars.-During the period under report, the following two important Unesco Regional Seminars were held in India :
1. Unesco Regional Seminar on Educational Reform for South and, East Asia
2. Unesco Regional Seminar on Audio-Visual Aids in Fundamental Education and Community Development
The Regional Seminar on Educational Reform was held at New Delhi from 25th August to 5th September, 1958. Twenty-eight delegates from thirteen Member-States and Associate Member-States of Unesco from South and East Asia participated in the Seminar. The purpose of the Seminar was to bring together public education authorities in the region to enable them to have an exchange of information, experience and ideas on various educational problems.
The Seminar had a general discussion on social, economic, political and demographic factors which have effected educational reform during the post-war period and which are likely to affect educational reform. It concentrated discussions mainly on specific problems, namely, general curricular reforms, educational reforms at the Primary and Secondary stages and general problems of planning and implementation and made a number of recommendations. The Government of India provided liaison services and other usual facilities for the Seminar.
The Regional Seminar on Audio-Visual Aids in Fundamental Edu- cation and Community Development was held at New Delhi from 8th to 27th September, 1958. Twenty-two delegates from Member States and Associate Member-States of Unesco from South and East Asia, representatives of Unesco and six Unesco experts participated in the Seminar. The purpose of the Seminar was to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience on the production,and use of visual aids for Fundamental education and community development and to cover such fields as literacy, health and sanitation. nutrition and agriculture, arts and crafts, home economics etc. The Seminar discussed the problems of training for production and use of visual aids and the possibilities of the regional cooperation to further the exchange of material and experience. As the host, the Government of India provided all the usual facilities.
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The final reports of both the Seminars will be drafted by the Unesco Secretariat and would be published and circulated by that Organisation to all the Member-States of Unesco.
SCIENCE Unesco's Major Project on Scientific Research on Arid Lands.India has been keenly interested in the Unesco's programme relating to the and zone research. On a request from the Government of India Unesco agreed to offer financial aid of $15,000 in 1958, two Fellowships and one Expert for the establishment of the Central Arid Zone Research Institute at Jodhpur, that is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. A contract has since been signed with the Unesco under which necessary aid to the Jodhpur Institute will be provided.
Unesco Research Centre for Southern Asia on Social Implications. of Industrialization.-The Research Centre has been functioning at Calcutta, as a joint enterprise of the Government of India and the Unesco since January, 1956. The Government of India had signed an agreement with the Unesco providing their share of contributions and other facilities for the Centre. They were required to contribute an amount not exceeding $35,000 (Rs. 1,66,000) annually for three years, i.e., 1956-58. Developing on the right lines the Research Centre has made considerable progress. At the request of Unesco it has been decided to extend financial assistance for a further, period of two years, i.e., 1959-60. Steps are being taken to renew the Agreement originally entered into.
CULTURE Major Project on the Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values.-The ninth Session of the General Conference of Unesco held at New Delhi in November-December, 1956, adopted a Major Project on the Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values, for a period of ten years from first January, 1957. The project is conceived primarily as a means of stimulating interest in Member- States in the culture of other countries and thereby to promote mutual appreciation of Eastern and' Western cultural values. The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco which is responsible for the implementation of this project in India established a National Advisory Committee for the purposes of planning, promoting and coordinating national activities in this sphere. At its first meeting on 21st July, 1958 the Committee made a number of recommendations and suggested specific ways and means of implementing the Project in the country. Necessary action on the recommendations has been initiated.
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One of the important decisions taken by the Advisory Committee was the approval of the Indo-U.S. Project for developing mutual understanding between the peoples of India and the U.5.A.' One of the important directives of the framers of the East-West Major Project was that Member-States participating in this activity should define their values in various departments of life and culture and launch suitable bilateral programmes likely to make an important contribution to the development of mutual appreciation of Eastern and Western cultural values. The Indo-U.S. Project aims at achieving this objective.
In view of our deep interest in this Major Project, the Indian National Commission, as a first step in its implementation, held a seminar on 'Traditional Values in Indian Life' in December, 1958 in collaboration with the University of Delhi.
Translation of Classics.-India has been participating in the Unesco's Project of Translation of Classics since 1953. The aim of the Project is to promote international understanding and disseminate cultures between the countries of the East and the West. About 44 Indian classics were recommended to Unesco for translation into Western languages. Six classics were published and released for sale. Translation of a number of other classics has since been commenced and these would soon be released for sale. The Government of India so far contributed Rs. 75,000 to Unesco for this Project in five equal instalments. The Project is of continuing nature and involves great deal of expenditure. Necessary steps are being taken to release the sixth instalment of Rs. 15,000 for the purpose.
Unesco Project for Grants for Regional Cultural Studies in Uni- versities.-The Government of India have been participating in the Unesco Scheme for Regional Cultural Studies in Universities since. 1955. The purpose of the Scheme is to enable university teachers and other specialists in social and cultural studies which include History, Languages, Literature, Art, Economics, Sociology, Psychology etc. to obtain firsthand knowledge of the cultural and social life of the regions or countries visited as well as to pursue studies or research in their specialised fields of interest.
During the period under report, one Indian national was awarded a Unesco grant to study the ritual and symbolism of the Vedas in the U.S.A., France and Netherlands, in addition to two Indian nationals who had been benefitted under the scheme up to 1957.
Unesco Grants for the Study Tours of Educational Leaders front the Occident to visit the Orient.-In implementation of the East-West Major Project Work Plan for 1957 and 1958, Unesco, during
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the period under report, awarded about eleven grants to various teachers and educational leaders of the West and Africa, to enable the grantees to obtain firsthand knowledge of social, cultural and educational conditions in the Orient which affect mutual under- standing. Out of the grantees some have already completed their tours in India while others are scheduled to visit this country in the near future.
Unesco Exhibitions.-As part of Unesco's programme for the popularization of arts, an exhibition, containing seventy-two water colour reproductions of paintings by artists from both the Orient and the Occident, was prepared by Unesco for being offered to Member- States for display in art galleries, museums, educational institutions, and-workers' and youth centres. The exhibits have been specially designed for educational purposes at all levels. The Indian National Commission are at present negotiating with Unesco for bringing this Exhibition to this country. It is expected that this Exhibition will be available to us in the near future.
The Unesco Travelling Library of Visual Aids was received in this country during the last quarter of 1956 and was displayed at the Ninth Session of Unesco General Conference, New Delhi, November-December, 1956, besides circulation in the country later on. Unesco has allowed its retention by the National Institute of Audio-Visual Education for a period of another two years, with the option to extend the period, if necessary.
Other Activities Unesco Coupon Scheme.-The Government of India have been participating in the Unesco International Coupon Scheme since 1949, to facilitate the purchase of (a) books and publications, (b) scientific material and equipment, and (c) educational and scientific films by educational institutions and individuals from other countries. Coupons worth $3,09,459.81 for books, $5,26,441.06 for scientific material, and $42,203.37 for films were sold up to 31st December, 1958. A limited number of Unesco Coupons for books only were issued during this period. No Unesco Coupons for scientific material and equipment, and films were issued on account of foreign exchange restrictions.
Translation of Unesco Literature.-In addition to the publication of Hindi editions of eleven Unesco books, the Indian National Com- mission completed the translation into Hindi and publication of the book, entitled, 'Nuclear Energy and its Uses in Peace,' with financial assistance from Unesco. While one more book namely, 'The Teaching of Reading and Writing', has been translated into Hindi
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during the period under report, the translation work relating to two other Unesco publications has now been undertaken with financial assistance from Unesco.
Expanded Technical Assistance Programme.-Like other Specialized Agencies, Unesco has been operating the U.N. Programme of Technical Assistance, and the Government of India continued their participation in the programme during the year under report. Under the Programme, India continued to receive technical assistance in the form of experts, Fellowships and equipment. The approved programme for 1958 amounted to $6,35,000 approximately, a major portion of which was apportioned for the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
Technical Assistance under Normal Aid Programme.-The following aid was obtained from Unesco under its Programme of Participation in the Activities of Member-States during the Organization's financial, period 1957-1958 :-
All India Council for Secondary I Expert in Science Technology
Education
Ahmedabad Cultural Centre Equipment worth $5,400
National Fundamental Educa- (a) Two Experts,-one in
tion Centre Research and Evaluation
and the other in Audio-
Visual Education
(b) Equipment worth $3,000
Asian Theatre Institute (a) Two Experts one in
Theatre Education and
Production and the other
in Children's Theatre
(b) Two Fellowships
(c) Equipment (Tape Recorder)
Experimental Television Project (a) Equipment worth $4,400
(b) Fellowship for two months
Conferences Abroad Unesco holds a number of seminars and conferences each year. Such conferences and seminars on educational and other problems give the participants an opportunity to establish useful and valuable contacts with persons working in other countries in the same field and thereby to exchange ideas and experiences with them. During the period under report, the Government of India participated in the XXI International Conference on Public Education held at Geneva in July, 1958 and the Second Meeting of the Directors of National Cultural Relations Services held at Paris in October, 1958.
Besides, the Government of India also showed keen interest in the Interdisciplinary Conference held at Prague in September, 1958 that was attended by the Indian Ambassador in Czechoslovakia.
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The Government of India also sent a delegation to the Tenth Session of the General Conference of Unesco held at Paris from 4th November to 5th December, 1958. The Conference was held at the newly constructed Permanent Headquarters of Unesco that was formally declared open at a ceremony held on 3rd November, 1958 and handed over to the Temporary President of the General Conference, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India. Among other matters, the General Conference elected Dr. Vitorino Veronese of Italy as the Director-General of Unesco in place of Dr. Luther H. Evans, whose term expired on 5th December, 1958.
The composition of the Indian Delegation to the Conference was :-
Delegates 1. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (Leader)
2. Smt. Hansa Mehta (Deputy Leader)
3. Sardar K. M. Panikkar
4. Lt. Genl. H. H. Sir Yadvindra