YOUTH WELFARE, SPORTS AND GAMES
The development of sports and games on a large scale with the object of improving the physical fitness and sportsmanship of the average student as well as of those who excel in this field, has been given its due importance in the National Policy on Education. The Policy has also laid down the need to involve, students in national service through participation in meaningful and challenging programmes of community service. This chapter gives an account of the activities under these heads.
National Service Scheme Though originally conceived as an alternative to the National Cadet Corps programme to cover every boy student studying in the first degree course of college education, the National Service Scheme was started late in 1969 on a selective and volunteer basis because of the constraint on resources and the need for gaining experience before embarking on a large scale compulsory programme. The Fourth Plan outlay for this programme was fixed at Rs. 5 crores. The per capita cost on this programme estimated at Rs. 150 per year is shared by the Centre and the State in the ratio 2: 1. of the Centre share of Rs. 100/- Rs. 70/ are paid to the State and the balance of Rs. 30/- is to be spent towards grants to selected schools of social work who have been attached to various universities to give orientation training to NSS teachers, to develop the programme and organise All India camps and for grants to the three specialised Institutes namely, The Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay, the Delhi School of Social Work, Delhi and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, for research and evaluation, for providing necessary training facilities and for production of literature necessary for
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the programme. The Centre's share of Rs. 70/- together with the State's share of Rs. 50/- is made available for utilisation by the universities and the colleges in the development of the programme.
The NSS programme launched in September, 1969 in 40 selected educational institution covering 40,000 students has been extended to most universities during subsequent year and the target for 1971-72 was of 1,17,000 students.
The programme had its initial teething troubles mainly be, cause the State, Governments could not provide their share of the expenditure in their budget proposals. But this difficulty has 1972- 73 is also 1,60,000 students since been overcome. The targeted strength for the NSS during 1972-73 is also 1,60,000 students.
During the year 1971-72, the social services rendered by the university students covered many aspects like adoption of a village by a university for intensive social uplift work, carrying out of socio- medical surveys, setting up of medical centres, imparting training to rural women in sewing, embroidery and knitting etc. Work in the urban areas ranged from social service to slum dwellers, mass immunization and sanitation drives running of welfare centres, adult education programmes for the poorer sections of the community, blood donation and campaign work in slum areas. Social service, under this scheme was also rendered in the form of help to patients in hospitals, inmates of the orphanages, Cheshire Homes and welfare institutions for the physically handicapped. Work projects were also carried out.
The most important social service rendered during the year was in the Central refugee camps set up for the refugees from Bangla Desh Batches of NSS students from various universities served in these camps for 10 to 15 days at a time by rotation. In all about 15,000 students rendered such service. While proceeding to the refugee camps, the NSS students also collected donation in cash and kind for the refugees.
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861 NSS teachers have so far been given orientation training in the 18 selected schools of social work. Training of more NSS teachers for the increased NSS strength for the year 197273 is now contemplated. The three schools of social work have also carried out the evaluation of the NSS programme in a limited number of universities. On the basis of the experience gained during the past two years of NSS activity, a working group is currently examining the modifications necessary to make the programme more realistic and meaningful both from the educational and service angles so as to make the programme more practical and effective.
Another significant feature of national service by students is their involvement in the work of "Chittranjan Mobile Hospitals" established at the rate of one such hospital per State, as part of the C. R. Das centenary celebrations. These hospitals are attached to at least one Medical College in each State. On each mobile hospital the Union Ministry would meet the non-recurring expenditure of Rs. 3 lakhs to meet the cost of capital equipment including the vehicle. Dr. P.K. Doraiswami, Adviser on Mobile Hospitals in the Department of Health in the Ministry of Health and Family Planning is also adviser for the Chittaranjan Mobile Hospital scheme. All the sixteen States to which the scheme was offered have set up these mobile hospitals.
In order to facilitate the setting up of these hospitals as expenditiously as possible, the types of equipment and appliances required were standardised and specifications communicated to the Deans and State authorities concerned. A Blue print for locating tents, the operation theatre, the out-patient department, staff quarters etc., was sent to each Dean. Detailed guidelines were also supplied to the Deans. A closely coordinated programme of visiting houses in the villages for collecting information regarding the families etc., was worked out in collaboration with the primary health centres and the medical college concerned. The training and service programme is closely supervised by the teachers from, the medical college in collaboration with the personnel employed in various national programmes. These
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services include out-patient and in-patient and laboratory work in the mobile hospital, home visiting for health survey and natal clinic, baby welfare motivation in family, planning antemorbidity surveys, collection of vital statistics, involvement in national programmes for eradication or control of communicable diseases, and family planning programme in collaboration with the State Public Health and Family Planning personnel and assistance in the implementation of nutrition, mid-day meal and school health service programmes.
Even within the short time, that the scheme has been in im- plementation, it has proved to be very popular with the villagers. It has also fulfilled its other main objective of training the students and interns in preventive and promotive aspects of health. The villagers appropriate the health and medical care given by competent specialists near their homes. The scheme has also provided an incentive to those villagers who can afford, to make contributions for starting dispensaries on their own as permanent arrangement after the Mobile Hospital move out, as was evident in the village of Gummidipundi, about 65 kms from Madras.
During 1971-72 up to 31st December, 1971 grants totalling Rs, 30,60,000 have been sanctioned to the State Governments. In addition grants of Rs. 20,000 each were sanctioned to four universities for organising the All India NSS camps for the relief of the refugees from Bangla Desh in which over 1800 NSS students have so far participated. So far grants to the extent of Rs.58,412 have been given to the specialised institutions during the year 1971-72.
Youth Welfare Boards and Committees Under this scheme financial assistance is given to cover 50 per cent of the administrative expenditure incurred by universities on the employment of a wholetime Director or Dean of Students Welfare and a small complement of staff to assist him beside miscellaneous contingent expenditure on certain approved items. At present about 40 universities have set up such boards and committees. A provision of Rs. 0.75 lakhs has been made for the year 1972-73. A proposal is under the
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consideration of the U. G. C. to merge this Scheme with the other Youth Welfare, Schemes for Universities. Until this materialises, the Ministry of Education, and Social Welfare will continue to operate it.
National Programme for Non-student Youth On the basis of the recommendations made by the National Advisory Board on Youth, this Ministry had prepared the National Programme for Non-student Youth with an outlay of Rs. 5 crores for the Fourth Plan period after the Cabinet approved in principle an outline of the programme in their meeting dated 1st June, 1970. The following schemes were proposed under the national programme and the financial implications are indicated below:
(Rs; in lakhs)
1. Establishment of Youth Centres at the District and
Block levels 250.00
2. Development of Play Fields in urban areas 85.00
3 Setting up of Reception Centres in two Metropolitan
cities 13.00
4 Development of Camping Sites 40.00
5 (a) Development of cycling, trekking and hiking
routes 70.00
(b) Adventure facilities for cycling, camping,
coastal sailing, mountaineering and climbing
6. Training Programmes for youth leaders 7.20
7 Work Centres 30.00
8 Miscellaneous 4.80
500.00
These proposals were considered and approved by the Planning Commission. The Ministry of Finance, while agreeing to the implementation of the schemes relating to development of play-fields and establishment of work-centres, with an outlay of
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Rs. 115 lakhs during the Fourth Plan suggested that all other schemes be deferred untill the Bangla Desh refugee problems is settled. Orders have already been issued towards implementation of the schemes for the Development of Play Fields and Work Centres with a Provision of Rs. 25 lakhs and Rs. 15 lakhs, respectively during 1971-72.
Under the Scheme of Work Centres, financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh has already been sanctioned by Government of India to the Calcutta Youth Self-Employment Centre (CYSEC) a voluntary organisation registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Act 21 of 1860). The CYSEC which is a joint venture sponsored by a representative cross-section of industries, business enterprises, social service organisations and financial institutions have undertaken a number of projects, offering facilities of self- employment to unemployed youth.
Scouting and, Guiding Financial assistance is given for the promotion of scouting and guilding, which is an international movement. The objective is character building among boys and girls, training them in the art of citizenship and inculcating in them a love of country and a broad- minded approach which will take into account the opinions of others. Financial assistance is made available to the National Headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides, New Delhi to meet part of its organisational expenses as well as expenditure on approved items like training camps, national and international Jamborees and participation in international events like camps and rallies.
Scheme of Assistance to Voluntary Organisations in the Field of
Youth Services Assistance is given to voluntary organisations of an all India character for activities engaged in or promoting national integration, Significant experimental or pilot projects, research in youth
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work, training of personnel for youth work, organisation of conferences, tours, festivals, seminars, refresher courses, workshop devoted to problems of youth welfare, camps and any other services which help in strengthening national cohesion quality for assistance under the scheme. The grant in aid from the Government of India is given, up to 80 per cent of the non-recurring expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000 per project. If the Government is satisfied that an organisation has already done good work, has competence and ability to continue it, financial assistance may be given to such an orgnisation on three occasions during the period of five years.
Physical Education
Lakshamibai College of Physical Education (Gwalior). During the year, the College introduced a new two year M.A. (Recreation) Course from the year 1971-72 for training of leaders in Recreation. For the academic year 1971-72, 85 students, including 13 girls, were admitted to the Part 1 of the 3 year Bachelor of Physical Education Course and 14 students including 2 girls, were admitted to the Master of Physical Education Course. Besides these, 7 students were admitted to the Firm year M.A. (Recreation) Course. With these admissions the College has now a total student strength of 249 students, out of whom 36 are girls.
National Physical Efficiency Drive Up to the year 1970-71, the National Physical Efficiency Drive was being organised every year directly by the Ministry of Education & Social Welfare. However, with a view to giving the 'Drive' a fresh impetus in an effort to extend its coverage further, the organisation of the 'Drive' with effect from the year 1971-72 has been entrusted to the Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior, which is a national institution in the field of Physical Education fully financed by the Government of
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India and which possesses the technical know-how that is so necessary for the success of a programme of this kind.
The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare had undertaken to evolve "National Norms" of Physical Fitness for use in the scheme of National Physical Efficiency Drive. The data for evolving these Norms were collected with the assistance of some of the State Liaison Officers connected with the National Physical Efficiency Drive. The task of processing the data towards evolving the "National Norms" was entrusted to the Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics, Poona. This assignment has now been completed by the Institute.
The National Physical Efficiency Drive for 1971-72 was organised in different States & Territories from October, 1971 to January 1972. As against the actual participation of 10.6 lakhs in 1970-71, a participation target of 18.5 lakhs has been suggested for the 1971-72 Drive.
The Tenth All India Competition for the National Award in Physical Efficiency was organised by the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare on the 22nd and 23rd February, 1971, at the, Y.M.C.A. College, of Physical Education, Madras. Out of the 54 competitors who participated in the Competition from various States and Union Territories, 18 competitors-10 men and 8 women-won the National Awards.
Seminars on Physical Education The Eleventh All-India Seminar on National Physical Efficiency Drive for the States' Representatives and others was held at Gulmarg (J. & K.) from the 1st to 3rd July, 1971. The seminar reviewed the progress of the 1970-71 'Drive' and considered ways and means of accelerating the coverage under the 1971-72 "Drive".
An All-India Seminar for the Principals of Physical Education Teacher Training Institutions was organised by the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare at the Lakshmibai College
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of Physical Education (Gwalior) from the 14th to 17th October, 1971 the Seminar, which was inaugurated by Shri K. S. Ramaswamy, Union Deputy Minister for Education and Social Welfare, was attended by representatives of 37 training institutions from different parts of the country. The Seminar Considered and adopted with certain modifications the draft curricula of Physical Education, for the various levels of education, including teacher training, prepared earlier by the 'Workshop' organised by the Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, (Gwalior).
Promotion of Yoga In accordance with the, policy to assist Yoga Institutions of an all-India character for the promotion of research and/or teacher training activities, the Kaivalyadham Shreeman Madhava Yoga Mandira Samiti, Lonavla (Poona) and the Vishwayatan Yogashram (Katra Vaishnavi Devi (J & K) and New Delhi Centres) continued to receive assistance for their recurring as well as non-recurring expenditure.
Promotion of Popular Literature on Physical Education, Games and
Sports The Second National Prize Competition for Published Literature on Physical Education, Sports and Games etc. was organised through the Lakshmibai College of Physical Education (Gwalior). In all, 17 entries were received. As against 5 prizes sanctioned, only one book has been recommended by the Evaluation Committee for a cash prize of Rs. 1,000/- and for purchase by the Government, of 250 copies of the book for free distribution among the Physical Education Training Institutions and other similar institutions.
The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare has undertaken, through the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, publication of introductory booklets on selected games/sports, particularly for the benefit of students. During the year, 4 booklets, on Kabbadi, Tennis, Badminton and Basket Ball, have been brought out.
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Improvement of Facilities in Physical Education Training Insti-
tutions. This scheme has replaced the earlier scheme of strengthening Physical Education Training Institutions which was being implemented by the Ministry during the Second and Third Plan Periods. The present scheme will cover both government and non-government institutions in the programme of assistance. The scheme forms part of the overall programme of the Ministry for assistance to the State Sports Councils for development of games and sports. It provides for Central Government's assistance to the physical education training institutions through the State Sports Councils to cover 50 per cent of the expenditure on the following projects subject to the ceiling indicated against each:
Project Ceiling of Central Govern-
ment's Grant
(i) Gymnasium Hall Rs 50,000/-
(ii) Development of Play-grounds Rs. 20,000/-
(iii) Swimming Pool Rs. 25,000/-
(iv) Purchase of Sports equipment &
Library Books Rs. 10,000/-
Society for the National Institutes of Physical Education and
Sports (SNIPES) The Society for the National Institutes of Physical Education & Sports, an autonomous body set up by the Government of India, as the governing body of the two national institutes viz., Lakshmibai College of Physical Education (Gwalior) and National Institute of Sports (Patiala), has been reconstituted for another term of 3 years.
National Fitness Corps In 1965, the National Fitness Corps Programme was accepted as the only integrated multipurpose programme of Physical education at the school stage, to replace various programmes like Physical Training, National Discipline Scheme and Auxiliary Cadet Corps. In accordance with this decision, the instructors
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in the National Fitness Corps Organisation, paid out of the Central exchequer, were to be transferred to the States where they were working. As a part of the, terms of such transfer. It was decided in 1969 that the States should be requested to create suitable vacancies in the appropriate department for the absorption of the instructors. It was also decided that the shortfall between the pay and allowances fixed in the State scales of pay and the emoluments last drawn under the Union Government should be treated as personal pay and paid to the instructors for the duration of the fourth Plan period. It was also decided that the Union Government would meet in full the expenditure on pay and allowances of the N.D.C. instructors absorbed by the States for the entire 4th Plan period.
Accordingly, all the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations were required to take over the NDS, Instructors. As a result of the negotiations the Governments of Gujarat, Mysore, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Goa Manipur and Tripura have formally agreed to take over the NDS Instructors. Only U.P., M.P. and Kerala have formally refused. The other States have agreed in principle to take them over but the terms have yet to be communicated by them.
National Sports Organisation The National Sports Organisation aims at promoting excellence amongst college students in selected fields of Sports and Games. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide better facilities in colleges and universities to encourage sports activities amongst students. The following major programmes were continued during 1971-72.
(i) Development of physical facilities in the universities.
(ii) Provision of coaches.
(iii) Organising coaching camps.
(iv) Award of sports talent scholarships.
The first two programmes are being implemented by the UGC while the last two have been entrusted to the Inter-Univer-
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sity Sports Board of India and Ceylon. Progress on these programmes is indicated below:
(a) Physical Facilities:
(b) Coaches:
(c) Coaching Camps:
(d) Sports Talent Scholarship: 149
(e) Strengthening of Staff for Implementing the NSO
Programme:
All India Council of Sports The National Council of Sports and Physical Education formed on the 10th December, 1970 replaced the All India Council of Sports. On reconsideration it has been decided to revive the All India Council of Sports with more broad based membership giving proper representation in the Council to outstanding sportsmen.
Grants to States Councils The enlarged and revised scheme of financial assistance to State Sports Council to enable them to construct utility Stadia, to improve the existing Stadia, floodight the stadia, holding annual coaching camps, purchase sports equipment and to establish rural Sports Centres, continued during 1971-72.
Rural Sports Centres The Scheme of establishment of Rural Sports Centres continued during 1971-72. Central assistance for the establishment of Rural Sports Centres has been given to the States of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
Sports Talent Search Scholarships for School Children 780 Scholarships at Rs. 50/- p.m. on the basis of performance in National Sports Competitions, and 396 scholarships at Rs. 25 p.m. on the basis of performance at State Level Sports Competitions, have been awarded for the year 1971-72 to school students between the age of 14 to 19. 45 National Level scholarships and 69 state level scholarships of the previous year have also been renewed.
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Grants to Sports Federations During the year, grants totalling Rs. 11,56,611 upto 22nd December, 1971 were paid to the National Sports Federations for holding annual championships, participation in international Sports Competitions, visits of foreign teams to India, meeting the salaries of paid Assistant Secretaries, holding Coaching Camps, purchase of Sports equipments and the implementation of Sports items under cultural agreements.
Rural Sports Competition The Second All India Rural Sports Competition is proposed to be held at Patiala in March 1972 in certain selected games by the N.I.S. Patiala and will be open only to non-student rural youth. About 1000 competitors and officials are expected to participate in this tournament.
National Sports Centre It has been decided to start, the construction of an Indoor Stadium according to International Specifications and to provide a cycle Track. The scheme is estimated to cost about Rs. 2.53 crores in the Rajghat Sports Complex in New Delhi. This will provide the nucleus of the National Sports Complex for stagging Asian and other international games in course of time.
National Institute of Sports, Patiala The National Institute of Sports which was established by the Government of India in the year 1961 has made rapid strides in its 10 years of existence. The Institute has so for produced 1767 qualified coaches in various games and sports. During the year 1971-72, 252 persons are under training in the Regular and Condensed Courses. In addition 314 Teachers were oriented in coaching through a 6 week short course run during summer vacations. The number of students admitted for 1971-72 session includes 5 students from Nigeria, 3 from Malaysia, one from Ceylon and one from Nepal. To polish
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National teams before their participation in International events, 13 Coaching Camps were conducted at the Institute during the year. Under the National Coaching Scheme about 200 NIS paid coaches are working all over the country. Regional Coaching Centres have been established at Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Bangalore, Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat), Cuttack, Jabalpur, Patna, Jammu/Srinagar and Amritsar.
The National Institute of Sports has now become a premier Sports Institution in Asia. The Institution now functions as the headquarters of the Asian Track and Field Coaches Association, Asian Track and Field Statistical Research Centre, Asian Association of Sports Medicine and Indian Track and Field Coaches Association.
During the year 1971 the Institute organised a National Seminar on Sports Medicine and an All-India Conference of State Sports Councils and the First All-India Rural Sports Tournaments.
Coaches from the U.S.A., the U.K. and West Germany visited the Institution for short periods under various Cultural Exchange Programmes for holding clinics for coaches and imparting instruction to trainees. Indian Coaches have also been deputed to countries abroad for advanced studies, where necessary.
Under its publication programmes the Institute has published low priced books on Playing-Field Manual Kabbadi, Badminton, Tennis and Basketball The Institute is also bringing out a Quartely NIS Journal containing technical articles on games and sports and Atheletic Asia which is a biannual publication in the field of Athletics.
The Institute is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in March 1972. The Prime Minister visited the Institute and laid the
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Foundation Stone for a Modern Swimming Pool and Gynasium at the Institute.
Indo-foreign Cultural Exchanges in the Field of Sports in
1971-72 A sports delegation from the USSR consisting of two delegates and one interpreter visited India during April 1971 and met the senior officials of the Ministry and visited the N. I. S., Patiala, and the LCPE, Gwalior.
The F. R. G. made the services of an athletic coach available to the N.I.S., Patiala for a period of two months in August 1971 to train Indian athletes.
An Indian football team visited the USSR for 3 weeks in October- November, 1971 to play friendly matches in that country.
The Indian Mountaineering Foundation The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, an autonomous organisation to promote mountaineering, rock climbing as well as other adventure programmes received grants in aid from the Ministry. The Foundation given financial assistance for approved mountaineering expectations. Grants in aid amounting Rs. 1 lakh have been released to the Foundation for the month ended December, 1971.
National Integration-Inter State Students-Teacher Camps on "Out
India Project". The main objective of the camps under the scheme is to provide opportunities for the change of visits by groups of students from one part of the country to another so that they may learn about their rich cultural heritage and history, discover their common bonds and the underlying theme of National Unity amidst the cultural pluralism and diversity of India financial assistance has been given to the National council of Educational Research and Training and the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
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Sangathan to organise camps under this scheme of 10 to 15 days duration in which participants from schools and 4 or different States stay in a school in a sixth State Under "Our India Project", 100 selected schools are helped to collect information from schools and organise the "Our India Exhibition" to be shown around neighbouring schools. These projects envisage an expenditure of 50 lakhs during the Fourth Plan period.
Financial Allocations The financial allocations for the major programmes described in this chapter for 1971-72 and 1972-73 are indicated below:
(Rs in 000's)
Sl. Item Provision for 1971-72 Budget
No Estimates
Original Revised 1972-73
1 National Service Scheme 8,700 6,598 11,000
2 Youth Welfare Boards/and
Committees 100 75 75
3 National Programme for Non-
Student youth 4,100 1,000 2,500
4 Scouting & Guiding 100 150 200
5. Assistance to voluntary Organ-
isations in the field of youth
services 200 200 200
6 Lakshmibai College of Physical
Education, (Gwalior) 11,50 1,000 12,00
7 National Physical Efficiency
Drive 200 200 200
8 Promotion of Yoga 265 255 270
9 Promotion of Literature on
Physical Education, Sports &
Seminars on Physical Education 60 32 49
10 National Fitness Corps 22,203 22,803 23,000
11 National Sports Organisations 27,00 500 19,70