The need for better understanding of youth problems and exchange of information and experts in the field of youth services among developing countries has to be acknowledged considering that work in the field of youth welfare is relatively a new venture' This Ministry is, therefore, endeavouring to explore the possibilities of encouraging the exchange of information and experts in the field of Youth with the other developing countries for better appreciation of the whole complex of problems affecting the youth.
A few proposals are already on hand for the visit to India of Youth officials/experts from other countries to study the youth Services Programme in this country and also for the exchange of students delegations with other countries viz. Trinidad, Tobago and Mauritius etc.
During the year under report, this Ministry has hosted a group of 23 students and 2 teachers from Dacca University (Bangla Desh) who were on a study tour of this country for a period of about three weeks. These students were from the Geography Department of Dacca University and were, therefore, interested in the town-planning and canal irrigation projects etc. Accordingly they were shown the town- planning of Calcutta and Durgapur and Chandigarh and Canal irrigation project of Bhakra and Nangal. They were also given opportunities for sight-seeing at various places.
Another batch of 37 students and teachers of Political Science Department from Dacca University, Bangla Desh will be arriving in India during this year and the Ministry is hosting this group as well.
Physical Education
Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (Gwalior) Keeping in view the national character of the College, the Government have renamed the College as the 'Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education.'
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For the first time since its establishment in 1957, the College has not only got the full complement of the seats in the first year of its B. P. E. and M. P. E. Courses for the academic year 1972-73, but has actually exceeded its intake capacity for these two classes. For the academic year 1972-73, 135 students, including 20 girls were admitted to the 3-year Bachelor of Physical Education Course and 21 students, including 3 girls were admitted to the 2-year Master of Physical Education Course. Besides these, 6 students were -admitted to the 2-year M.A. (Recreation) Course. With these admissions the total strength of the College now stands at 322.
National Physical Efficiency Drive As per the decision taken by the Government in 1971, the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education continues to organise the National Physical Efficiency Drive on behalf of the Government of India.
During 1972-73, the National Physical Efficiency Drive was organised in different States and Union Territories from October, 1972 to January, 1973. A participation target of 20 lakhs has been suggested for the 1972-73 "Drive".
The XI All India Competition for the National Awards in Physical Efficiency was organised at the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior, on the 24th and 25th February, 1972. In all, 68 competitors from different State & Union Territories participated in the Competition out of which 19 Competitors (10 men and 9 women) won the National Awards for 1971-72.
Seminars on Physical Education The XII All India Seminar on National Physical Efficiency Drive for the States' Representatives and others was held at the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior, on the 22nd & 23rd February, 1972. The Seminar reviewed the
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progress of the "1971-72 Drive" and suggested ways and means for a wider coverage under the "Drive" during 1972-73 with an all India participation target of 20 lakhs.
Promotion of Yoga In accordance with the Governments' policy to assist Yoga institutions of an all-India character for promotion of research and/or teacher training programmes, the Kaivalyadhama ShreeMan Madhava Yoga Mandir Samiti, Lonavla (Poona) and the Vishwayatan Yoga Ashram (Katra Vaishnavi Devi, J & K and New Delhi Centres) continued to receive assistance from the Central Government for their recurring as well as non-recurring expenditure.
Promotion of Popular Literature on Physical Education, Games and
Sports The Third National Prize Competition for Published Literature on Physical Education, Sports and Games etc., was organised through the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior. In all 14 entries were received for the Competition As against the 5 sanctioned prizes under the Competition, only 2 books-"Training Without Straining" (English) by Shri Ken O Bosen and "Kho-Kho" (Marathi) by Shri Yogesh Yadav-have been recommended by the Evaluation Committee of the Competition for a prize of Rs. 1,000/- each and also for purchase by Government of India of 250 copies of each of the two books, for free distribution among Physical Education Training Institutions, Universities, State Sports Councils and others. Besides these two books, the Evaluation Committee has also recommended the following 2 books for purchase of 250 copies each by the Government of India:-
1. Silambam-Technique & Evaluation (English)-By Shri John David Mannal Raj.
2. Kabaddi (English)-by Shri D. G. Wakharkar.
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Improvement of Facilities in Physical Education Training
Institutions The Scheme which has replaced in 1971-72 the earlier Scheme for Strengthening of Physical Education Training Institutions, taken up during the Second and Third Five Year Plans. continues to be implemented as a part of the development programme for games and sports. It provides for Central Government assistance, through the State Governments, to the Physical Education Training Institutions- both Government as well as non-Government-to cover 50 per cent of the expenditure on the following projects subject to the ceiling indicated against each :-
Project Ceiling of Central
Government's Grant.
(i) Gymanasium Hall Rs. 50,000/-
(ii) Development of Play Grounds Rs. 20,000/-
(iii) Swimming Pool Rs. 50,000/-
(iv) Purchase of Sports Equipment and
Library Books Rs. 10,000/-
National Fitness Corps Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendation made by the Kunzru Committee that there should be only one integrated programme of Physical Education at the school stage, the National Fitness Corps Programme was accepted in 1965, 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 pursuance of this decision, it was also decided, with the approval of the Cabinet that the National Discipline Scheme Instructors in the National Fitness Corps Organisation, paid out of the Central Exchequer should also be transferred to the State/Union Territories where they were working and merged with the Cadre of Physical Education Teachers in the
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States. The NDS Instructors could not be transferred to the States because inter alia the terms of transfer for these Instructors were under negotiation with the State Governments.
The decision regarding the transfer of the NDS instructional/ Supervisory Staff to the State Governments & Union Territory Administrations is now being implemented on the following terms and conditions:-
(i) The State will create sufficient vacancies to take over the instructors; those serving in non-Government schools will be treated as on deputation from the State Government.
(ii) The service rendered under the Central Government will be counted for calculating increments in the State scales of pay. If as a result, an instructor gets higher emoluments, he will be allowed the same: if not the pay and allowances drawn under the Central Govern- ment at the time of absorption in the State service will be protected.
(iii) If any State Government is not in a position to accept any instructional staff for reasons like lack of prescribed educational qualification for entry into the State service such staff will continue to draw pay and allowances in the Central scales till the Central Government find them alternative employment. Such staff will not be retrenched.
(iv) In order to meet any possible financial difficulties of the States in accepting the liability for the salary of the absorbed staff even at a future date, the Central Government has agreed to meet in full the expenditure on the pay and allowances of these absorbed instructors, if necessary, for so long as they remain in service.
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In response to the above liberalised terms offered by the Government of India to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, for the 'transfer of the administrative control over the NDS Instructional staff from the Central Government to the State Governments and their eventual absorption in the States cadre of Physical Education teachers, the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra. Meghalaya, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Delhi and Goa have since taken over the administrative control of the NDS staff for their absorption in the State cadre. The matter is still under correspondence with the other State Governments.
The National Fitness Corps Directorate-a subordinate office of the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare-as well as its Regional Offices have been closed down w.e.f. 1-7-1972 and the residuary work is being performed by a Cell in the Ministry. The staff rendered surplus on account of the closure of the NFC Directorate have been provided with alternative employment through the Surplus Cell of the Department of Personnel.
Bharatiyam-Mass Youth Rallies The Scheme of "Bharatiyam"-Mass Youth Rallies-was taken up as a part of 25th Independence Jayanti Celebrations of the country. The "Bharatiyam" is a mass programme of Physical Education presented through National and State level Mass Youth Rallies. Some of the important activities included in the "Bharatiyam" are (i) Mass Singing (ii) Free hand Exercises (iii) Folk Dances (iv) Gymnastics (v) Lezim (vi) Yogasanas etc.
The Scheme of "Bharatiyarn" taken up during 1972-73 provided for simultaneous Mass Youth Rallies at New Delhi and State Capitals on 19th November, 1972. The number of participants in the National level Rally at New Delhi and the larger States was 5,000 and in the smaller States & Union Territories (other than Delhi it was 2,000 (or 1,000). Grants amounting
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to Rs. 20 lakhs were sanctioned to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for organising State level Rallies under the programme.
The National Youth Rally under the "Bharatiyam" programme was presented by the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare at the National Stadium, New Delhi on 19th November, 1972. The President inaugurated the National Rally and witnessed the 2 hour programme of physical exercise, folk dances, group singing, yogic exercises etc., presented by about 5,000 youth.
Sports and Games
National Sports Organisation The National Sports Organisation programme aims at promoting excellence amongst college students in selected fields of sports and games. The scheme was launched in 1969 and the following major programmes were continued during 1972-73:
(1) Development of physical facilities in the universities.
(2) Provision of Coaches.
(3) Organising Coaching Camps.
(4) Award of Sports Talent Search Scholarships.
The first two items are being implemented by the University Grants Commission while the last two have been entrusted to the Inter- University Board of India and Ceylon. Progress on these programmes is given below :
(a) Physical facilities : Grants totalling Rs. 61.50 lakhs have been sanctioned up to 1972-73 to the University Grants Commission for improvement of existing facilities and provision of additional facilities in various universities/colleges. Grants are given by the U.G.C. for the construction of gymnasia, multipurpose play-fields, swimming pools, etc., in accordance with
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the standard multi-purpose play fields manual, which has been prepared by this Ministry. 29 universities and 85 colleges have been approved so far for assistance for the construction of gymnasia. Grants for multi-purpose play-fields have been approved for 28 universities and 24 colleges at a total cost of Rs. 1.38 crores The U.G.C. will bear 75 per cent of this cost subject to availability of funds.
(b) Coaches : The trained coaches of the National Institute of Sports are provided by the U.G.C. to various universities. Out of the 100 coaches envisaged under the NSO Programme, 76 coaches are working in 36 universities.
(c) Coaching Camps: The IUB organised 95 university-level and 22 zonal level Coaching Camps for college students during the year.
(d) Sports Talent Scholarships : These scholarships are awarded to outstanding sportsmen/sports-women studying in universities to help them maintain their physical standards, purchase of equipment, clothing etc. 50 scholarships of the value of Rs. 100 p.m. each tenable for 10 months during a year for two years are given annually. During 1972-73, 50 fresh scholarships were awarded; 30 out of 50 awarded during 1971-72 were renewed.
Strengthening of staff for implementation of NSO Programme The IUB was assisted, as in the previous years, to meet the salaries of special staff appointed for implementation of this programme.
ALL INDIA COUNCIL OF SPORTS The All India Council of Sports was reconstituted in April 1972. The Council acts as the advisory body to advise the Government on all matters relating to promotion of sports and
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games in the country. The reconstituted Council consists of the President and 36 members nominated by the Government of India from amongst the following categories:
(1) Outstanding sportsmen 18
(2) Sport promoters 6
(3) Sports Writer 1
(4) Educationists 3
(5) Members of Lok Sabha 4
(6) Members of Rajya Sabha 2
(7) Representative of the Ministry of
External Affairs 1
(8) Joint Secretary in charge of Sports
& Games in the Ministry of Education
(Member Secretary) 1
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The tenure of the members of the Council is three years. it has held three meetings so far.
Grants to State Sports Councils The revised scheme of financial assistance to State Sports Councils to enable them to construct utility stadia, swimming pools, flood lighting of stadia, coaching camps, purchase of sports equipment and establishment of Rural Sports Centres was continued during 1972- 73. Funds provided under this scheme during the year were to the extent of Rs. 10 lakhs.
On the recommendation of the All India Council of Sports, the quantum of assistance for the construction of swimming pools has been enhanced from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 per swimming pool from 1972-73.
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Rural Sports Centres The scheme of establishment of Rural Sports Centres was continued during 1972-73. 55 new Rural Sports Centres were sanctioned to the Government of West Bengal and admissible grants were released to centres already established in other States.
Sports Talent Search Scholarships for School Students Under this scheme, 200 scholarships of the value of Rs. 50 p.m. each based on the results of national-level competitions and 400 scholarships of the value of Rs 25 p.m. each, based on the results of State-level competitions are awarded every year for students in the age group of 13-17. Awards for the year 1972-73 have already been finalised and all the scholarships have been utilised. Scholarships awarded in the preceding years have also been renewed.
On the recommendations of the All India Council of Sports, special Selection Committees were constituted to spot talent from amongst participants in the All India School Games Meets, Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament and Suboroto Mukherji Cup Football Tournament. The students selected by these Committees have been awarded the admissible scholarships.
Grants to Sports Federations During the year 1972-73, grants totalling Rs. 20,03,434 have been sanctioned to various National Sports Federations up to the end of December, 1972 for holding annual championships, participation in international sports competitions, visits of foreign teams to India, and payment of salaries of paid Assistant Secretaries, holding coaching-camps, purchase of sports equipment and holding of rural sports tournaments.