 UNESCO AND CULTURAL RELATIONS
 WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

13.01. This chapter deals with the activities relating to the programmes of education, science and culture developed and followed in collaboration with Unesco or arising out of India's cultural relations with other countries.

A: UNESCO PROGRAMMES

13.02. Assistance Offered to India:

For the biennium 1969-- 70 a sum of about 1.5 million dollars has been earmarked for assistance to India in the form of experts, fellowships and equipment under the Unesco-Undp Programme. In addition, a number of proposals have received assistance under the Participation Programme for 1969- 70.

13.03. International Campaign for the Restoration of Cultural Property Damaged by Floods,in Florence and Venice:

A sum of Rs. 50,000 being the first instalment of India's total contribution of Rs. 2 lakh towards the international campaign for the restoration of cultural property damaged by floods in Florence and Venice, was paid to Unesco. This amount will be utilised for purchase and export of articles made in India.

13.04. International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Philae:

On an appeal from the Director-General, Unesco, to member-States for voluntary contribution to save the monuments of Philae in the UAR, the Government of India have decided to offer services, supplies and equipment worth Rs. 3 lakh to Unesco.

13.05. International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia:

A sum of Rs. 12 lakh will be paid to Unesco as the Government of India's contribution towards the safeguarding of Abu Simbel Temples from inundation by the waters of the Aswan

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Dam. This amount will be utilised for the purchase of equipment and supplies from India.

13.06. Ambassador of India to France has been nominated as the Permanent Representative of the Government of India to Unesco.

13.07 Asian Institute of Educational Planning and Adminis- tration, New Delhi:

The Asian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration set up by the Government of India in collaboration with Unesco, organised, during the year, the tenth training course for educational planners and administrators from member-States in the Asian region. 23 participants attended the course.

13.08. Its other programmes during the year included the following:

(a) Seminars.

- A seminar of experts on the university teaching for educational planning in Asia was held at New Delhi on August 5-12, 1969. A Regional Meeting of Research Nominees for the preparation of Countrywise Monographs on Educational Administration was also held at New Delhi on December 18-20, 1969.

(b) National Courses.

-A national course was organised by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Vietnam in cooperation with the Asian Institute in July 1969. Another national course was organised by the Nepalese Ministry of Education in co-operation with the Institute from 16th November 1969 to 16th January, 1970.

(c) Exchange Programme.

- As in 1968, exchanges of teach- ing personnel with the Asian Institute of Economic Development and Planning, Bangkok, were continued in 1969. Similarly some members of the staff of the Asian Regional Institute of School Building and Research, Colombo, participated in the tenth course. Mr. M. A. Ghaussi, Deputy Minister of Education, Afghanistan, visited the Institute as a short-time consultant during October-November, 1970.

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(d) Indian Programme.

- An Indian Programme, as recommended by the Education Commission (1964-66) was initiated during the year.

(e) Institute's Building.

- The building programme of the Institute is under way and it is expected to be completed by the end of March, 1971.

B: INDIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CO-OPERATION WITH

UNESCO

13.09. The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco was re-constituted during the year. Its membership is now of two categories: (a) individual, (b) institutional. There are 10 individual members nominated by the President of the Commission on each of the 5 sub-commissions for education, natural sciences, social sciences, cultural activities and humanities and mass communication. Institutions of an all-India character and those doing significant work of national importance for propagating the aims and objectives of Unesco are eligible for institutional membership of the Commission. The number of such institutional members will not exceed 50 at any time. The term of office of all members-whether individual or institutional will be four years.

13.10. Celebration of International Education Year:

The General Assembly of the United Nations has designated 1970 as "International Education Year" and endorsed the programme approved by the General Conference of Unesco at its 15th session (1968) for the preparation and execution of an international concerted programme in this connection. The Government of India have decided to participate in the programme. In addition to a Central programme drawn up for the purpose, the State Governments have also been requested to set up coordinating bodies for implementing programmes relating to the In- ternational Education Year.

13.11. Programme of Education for International Under- standing:

Over 730 schools and teacher training institutions

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are partcipating in this programme which hinges round three main activities, viz., (i) teaching about UN and its Specialised Agencies; (ii) teaching about other countries and cultures; and (iii) teaching about Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. During the year, four workshops for the orientation of teachers were organized at Chandigarh, Bangalore, Bhopal and Jaipur. In addition, 10 important publications on education for international understanding including those on Mahatma Gandhi were supplied free. It is also proposed to bring out a handbook on the subject primarily intended as a teaching aid in the claw room.

13.12. Essay Competition on Hungary:

In consultation with the Hungarian National Commission, an essay competition on topics relating to Hungary was held and essays were invited from the secondary schools participating in Unesco's programme for education for international understanding. The Hungarian National Commission awarded nine prizes. The first prizewinner, Kumari Rajini Kumar of Springdales School, New Delhi, was given a free two-week holiday in Hungary.

13.13. Second Seminar-cum-Orientation Courses for the Organisers of Unesco Centres/Clubs in India :

The INC for Unesco organised a seminar-curn-orientation course for the organisers of Unesco Centres/Clubs on November 25-28, 1969 at the India International Centre, New Delhi, with financial assistance from Unesco. It was attended by 25 organisers of Unesco Centres/Clubs.

13.14. Study of Civilizations of Central Asia:

The Commis- sion is participating in Unesco's project on the Study of Civiliza- tions of the Peoples of Central Asia. A National Advisory Committee on Central Asian Studies has been constituted for this purpose. It held a number of meetings during the year in which it reviewed the progress of the project and suggested various activities to be undertaken by different coordinating/ collaborating institutions in India. Prof. Nazir Ahmed of Aligarh Muslim University, and Prof. S. K. Saraswati of Banaras

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Hindu University, Varanasi, participated in the International Symposium on the Art of Central Asia during the Timurid period, held at Samarkand (USSR) on September 23-27, 1969.

13.15. Auroville International Cultural Township:

Sri Auro- bindo Society, Pondicherry, an institutional member of the INC for Unesco has sponsored the establishment of an international cultural township known as "Auroville" where people of different countries will live together in harmony in one community and engage in cultural, educational, scientific and other pursuits. The Commission sanctioned a grant of Rs. 1 lakh to the project during the year and Unesco sanctioned a grant of $ 3000 for equipment.

13.16. International Institute of Tamil Studies, Madras:

The International Institute of Tamil Research in collaboration with the Government of Tamilnadu has a proposal for the setting up of an International Institute of Tamil Studies at Madras. The Unesco has agreed to give the following assistance:

(a) $ 2000 towards the publication of "Thevaram";

(b) Books for $ 1000;

(d) Equipment for a Micro-filming Unit worth $ 2000; and

(e) Visiting mission of Shri A. Subbiah, Member- Secretary of the Managing Committee of the International Institute of Tamil Studies, to various countries (costing $ 3000 approx.).

13.17. Asian Research Centre for Social and Economic Development:

The grant to the Centre (Rs. 2,31,000) was continued during the year.

13.18. The Unesco Reading Materials Project and Book Development Programme:

The "Unesco, Regional Centre for Book Development in Asia" organized a Regional Training Course on Book Distribution Techniques in Karachi from October 27 to November 29, 1969, in which four persons from

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India participated. Mention may be made in this connection of the visits of Mr. R. B. Macmakin, Book Development Expert Unesco Centre in December, 1969 and Mr. Seinosuke Kanehira, Chief Editor, Shogakukan Publishing House, Tokyo, in August, 1969. Mr. Macmakin established contacts with book publishing organisers in India, while Mr. Kanchira conducted a survey on book production in India.

13.19. Translation of Unesco Publications:

With financial assistance from Unesco, the Commission arranged to bring out the Hindi versions of the following English books of Unesco:

1. Unesco Source Book for Geography Teaching

2. Communication in The Space Age

3. Education in Racial and Inter-Group Relations

4. Education for International Understanding

5. Some Suggestions on Teaching About United Nations and its Specialised Agencies

6. Web of Progress

7. Teaching of Science in Tropical Primary Schools (under print).

Agreements are also being signed with Unesco for the translation and publication of two more books in Hindi, namely, (1) New Trends in Biological Science, and (2) Vocational and Technical Education.

13.20. Indian Series of Unesco Collection of Representative Works of World Literature:

Unesco has brought out an anthology of selected hymns of Guru Nanak (in English) as a part of the programme for the celebration of the Guru's 500th anniversary. The translation was done by S. Khushwant Singh and the book was released in November 1969. A list of 29 books published in different Indian languages was drawn up in consultation with the Sahitya Akademi and the National Book Trust and forwarded to Unesco for possible inclusion in Unesco's publication programme.

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13.21. Study Kit on India:

The Commission has finalised a programme of preparing 20 Study Kits on India for supply to some selected National Commissions for Unesco in other countries. Unesco has agreed to meet the expenditure, on this project.

13.22.Exhibitions:

(i) Parthenon Prize Award Photo Contest of the World Family.

- The Commission participated in this photographic exhibition organised by the Taegu Unesco Association, Taegu% (South Korea). One entry was awarded a second prize.

(ii) The Third World School Children's Art Exhibition

- The Commission participated in this exhibition organized by the Japan Department Store Merchandising Association under the sponsorship of the Japanese National Commission for Unesco. Shri Tilkeshwar Singh of Government High School, Kalpa, district Kinor (Himachal Pradesh) was awarded a Copper Medal for his fine work.

13.23. Unesco's Exchange of Persons Programme:

Under this programme Unesco awarded three travel grants for workers education leaders to visit foreign countries. Besides, Unesco awarded a number of fellowships to Indians to enable them to participate in advanced research courses in science, technology, etc. in foreign countries. As in the past, the Commission continued to assist Unesco fellowship- holders visiting India.

13.24. India's Participation in International Conferences, Meetings, Seminars, etc. Organised/Assisted by Unesco:

The Commission as usual arranged for Indian participation in international conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. during the period.

13.25. Unesco International Coupon Scheme:

Coupons worth Rs. 6,10,000 approximately were sold during the year up to December, 1969.

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13.26. Grants by the Indian National Commission for Unesco:

The Commission sanctioned the following grants-in-aid: (i) Rs. 5,155 to the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi for meeting a part of the expenditure on a fellowship for research an international cooperation; (ii) Rs. 74,616 to the Southern Languages Book Trust, Madras, for meeting part of the expenses on the publication of Tamil edition of "The Unesco Courier". (iii) Rs. 6,050 to the Nations' League of Pen-friends, New Delhi, towards the organisation of a seminar on pen-friendship and an exhibition of selected letters from different peoples and lands; (iv) Rs. 7,200 to the New Era School, Bombay, for the organisation of a students' seminar on international understanding; (v) Rs. 1,500 to the Haryana United Nations Associa- tion, Rohtak, towards the organisation of a seminar on "Birthright of Man"; (vi) Rs. 3,750 to the United Schools Organisation of India, New Delhi, for hosting the Asian Regional Seminar on teaching about United Nations; and (vii) Rs. 10,000 to the Indian Federation of United Nations Associations, New Delhi, towards the organisation of UN study courses.

13.27. Recruitment of Indians to Unesco Posts:

The Com- mission continued to assist Unesco in the recruitment of Indians for its secretariat and field assignments. About 110 Indian nationals recruited by Unesco through the Commission as experts, etc., are at present working under Unesco, on different assignments all over the world.

13.28. Publications of the Commission:

The Commission regularly brings out a monthly "Newsletter" to publicise information about the activities of the Commission and Unesco in India. It also publishes another semi-annual journal entitled, "The World in the Classroom" to promote education for international understanding. it also subsidizes the Hindi and Tamil editions of "Unesco Courier". The Hindi edition is being brought out by the Central Hindi Directorate, New Delhi, and the Tamil edition by the Southern Languages Book Trust, Madras.

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13.29. Library of the Commission:

The major part of the library of the Commission has been amalgamated with the Central Secretariat Library. The Commission has signed a contract with Unesco for bringing out a revised and up-to-date edition of the bibliography on "Education for International Understanding" which is now under preparation. To assist Unesco in the project of Co-operative Educational Abstracting Service, the Commission also entered into a contract with Unesco for providing ten abstracts of educational documents and materials from authoritative sources, published or unpublished, appearing currently in India.

C:CULTURAL RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

13.30. India has at present cultural agreements with twentytwo countries. Of these, Cultural Exchange Programmes have been drawn up with nine countries besides the German Democratic Republic with whom there is a Cultural Exchange Programme but no cultural agreement.

13.31. Cultural Agreements and Cultural Exchange Programmes:

Three cultural agreements were signed during the period. They are: (1) a cultural agreement between India and the Federal Republic of Germany signed in New Delhi on March 23, 1969; (2) a cultural agreement between India and Tunisia signed on June 24, 1969 at New Delhi; and (3) a cultural agreement between India and the Philippines signed on September 6, 1969 at New Delhi. Cultural exchange pro- grammes with five countries were signed during the year. They are: (1) a cultural exchange programme between India and France for the years 1969-71 signed at New Delhi in May, 1969; (2) cultural exchange programmes for 1969-71 with the USSR, Hungary and Romania, signed in June-July, 1969 when an Indian delegation led by the Minister for State for Education visited those countries; and (3) a cultural exchange programme for 1969-71 with the GDR finalised through exchange of letters.

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13.32. To concert measures for improving the existing arrangements both at the stage of formulation of the cultural programmes and their subsequent implementation, an Inter-Ministerial Committee under the chairmanship of the Education Secretary and consisting of representatives of the concerned Ministries was set up during the year. The Committee met twice during the year. In pursuance of the conclusions reached at these meetings, various steps, including simplification of financial procedures, have been taken to give adequate content to the various programmes. In particular, Ambassadors of six countries with whom cultural agreements are at present dormant, have been addressed to ascertain how best the foreign governments can be interested in activising the cultural agreements and formulating cultural exchange programmes. To enable Ministries/organisations concerned to work to a time table, a tentative programme for processing Indo-foreign cultural programmes was also finalised. It was also agreed that the possibility of setting up of chairs of Indian studies, specially in Greece and Indonesia , should be explored.

UNESCO AND CULTURAL RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES