UNESCO ACTIVITIES
INDIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CO-OPERATION WITH UNESCO The Government of India and the Indian National Commission for Co-operation with Unesco have extended their full co-operation to the Organisation in the implementation of its programmes in the fields of education, science and culture.
Some of the specific important activities relating to the Indian National Commission and Unesco for the period under report are given below.
Education
Clearing House Activities The Indian National Commission supplied Unesco information on a variety of subjects. The following are some of the important subjects on which information was supplied:
1. Cinema and Film Statistics (1958-1959).
2. Physical education at the Primary and Secondary levels.
3. Statistical Data on Museums.
4. Newsprint and other printing and writing paper.
5. Regulations concerning international transportation of laboratory animals.
6. Statistics on literary production.
7. Education Statistics (1937-1957).
8. International relations and exchanges in the fields of Education, Science and Culture.
9. Discrimination in the field of Education.
Information in connection with the following Unesco Questionnaire has also been sought by Unesco, which is being collected:
1. Libraries.
2. Index Translationum.
3. Radio and Television Broadcasting.
4. Enrolment in Higher Education (1958-59).
5. Directory of Teachers Associations.
6. Unesco's School Calendar for Member States.
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Survey of Primary and Compulsory Education in Asia In implementation of a resolution adopted at the Tenth General Conference of Unesco, the Organisation undertook a general survey of Primary and Compulsory Education in Asian countries in 1959 followed by a meeting of the Representatives of Asian Member States held in Karachi in December, 1959-January, 1960. The Indian National Commission assisted Unesco by supplying information on the present position of Primary and Compulsory Education in India. Shri J.P Naik and Dr. E.A Pires served as consultants to Unesco and carried out the Survey in some of the Asian countries. The Government of India sent a delegation consisting of four educationists to attend the meeting at Karachi. On the basis of the report of the Karachi meeting Unesco will consider the question of formulating a Major Project in this field for the Asian countries to be considered by the General Conference of Unesco at its 11th Session to be held in 1960.
Teaching of the U.N. and its Specialised Agencies The Government of India and the Indian National Commission co- operated with Unesco, in implementing their Programme and popularising the objectives and purposes of the U.N. and its Specialized Agencies in' this country. The Commission gave an ad hoc grant of 'Rs. 2,000 to the Preparatory Committee in connection with the Second Indian National Conference of the Non-Governmental Organisation of the United Nations Information Centre which was organised at New Delhi from 3rd to 5th April, 1959 by the Indian Federation of the United Nations Associations, New Delhi. In response to a request received from the Secretary General of U.N., a report was sent to him on the progress achieved in India in fostering the teaching about the U.N.' during 1956-59. As in previous years, the Commission continued to participate in the celebration of, United Nations Day which falls on 24th October and for this purpose, an ad hoc grant of Rs. 4,000 was made to the All-India United Nations Committee (Ministry of External Affairs) during 1959 to enable them to meet the expenses on the celebration of the Day. The State Governments and Universities in India were requested to celebrate the Day in a suitable manner.
Associated Schools Project in Education for International
Understanding and Co-operation The Government of India continued their active participation in this Project. The third meeting of the Heads of the 13 participating Institutions was held in Bombay in March, 1959 to review the progress made in the working of this Project, especially in the light of the Unesco Major Project on the Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values. The Commission also brought out a pamphlet entitled "Education for International Understanding and Co-operation. A
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Unesco Project for Schools " which explains the origin and development of the Project and surveys the work done in this country and abroad under this Project. In veiw of the success achieved in this Project, Unesco have agreed to include 10 additional Teachers Training Institutions from India under this Project, thus raising the total number of Institutions to
23. The names of the additional institutions have been communicated to Unesco.
With financial assistance from Unesco, the Commission organised the National Seminar on the implementation of the Unesco East-West Major Project in the School Sector, from 2nd to 6th March, 1959 at Bombay. The Report containing the recommendations of this Seminar has been published and is being brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities for implementation of the recommendations of this Seminar.
Unesco Project on Production of Reading Materials for Neo-Literates
India continued to participate in this Project as well as in the activities of the Unesco, Regional Centre set up at Karachi. The activities in India under this Project included (a) an analytical survey of the existing methods of book distribution, and (b) participation in the two Regional Seminars viz. Seminar on the Role of Printers and Publishers (Bombay November, 1959) and Workshop on Book Distribution (Madras-December, 1959). As a part of the programme under this Project, Unesco has undertaken to finance the award of 10 Prizes to the authors of the best books for the new reading public, published in India (luring 1958 in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Bengali. Each Prize is of the value of $480. Four Hindi books and two Bengali books have been approved for award by the Popular Literature Committee set tip for the purpose.
Natural and Social Sciences
Unesco Major Project on Scientific Research on Arid Lands
India continued to participate in this Project whose main aim is to step up research on problems of and lands in the region in order to develop the resources of the countries and to enable them to produce more food. The Organisation provided the services of an expert to advise in the setting up of the Central Arid Zone Research Institute at jodhpur. A request has been made for the supply of equipment costing $15,000.
The Centre has been functioning at Calcutta as a joint enterprise of the Government of India and Unesco since January, 1956. The Centre was initially set up for a period of three years but in view of the fact that it was developing into an effective agency for stimulating comparative studies in the sphere of social sciences, it was continued for a further
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period of two years i.e. for 1959 and 1960. In accordance with the terms of the agreement concluded between Unesco and the Government of India, Unesco provides a sum of $91,000 approximately per annum for meeting the expenditure on international staff and the research activities of the Centre, while the Government of India make an annual grant to the extent of $35,000 (Rs. 1,66,000 approximately) to cover the local costs.
The Centre carries out pilot research projects with its own staff and at the same time provides assistance, namely of a technical nature, for research projects in the countries of the region on subjects connected with its main theme. Some of the research topics with which the Centre has been concerned so far are (a) social and cultural factors affecting productivity of Industrial labour, (b) social implications of small-scale industries (c) problems of rapid urbanization, (d) growth of steel towns in India and (e) growth of Khulna town (East Pakistan).
The Centre has been particularly interested in problems of balanced economic and social development as also in the social implications of industrialization and technological change, and has prepared papers on these subjects for various conferences.
The Centre has developed a good library and documentation service and brought out a number of publications, periodicals and reports. It also provided facilities for the training of some fellows drawn up partly from the western countries and partly from the eastern countries.
Unesco organised the above course at the Institute of Social Sciences. University of Agra, Agra from 21st December, 1959 to 9th January 1960 which was attended by participants from various countries in the region including India. In response to Unesco's request, the Government of India played host to this Course which was held under the directorship of Prof. T. B. Boltomore of London School of Economics and Political Science.
Cultural Activities
In view of her deep interest in the cultural activities and programme of Unesco in this field, India continued its active participation in the implementation of this Project. During the period under Report, the National Advisory Committee held its second meeting on August, 24, 1959, when it reviewed the progress made by India in the implementation of this Project, and made a number of 'recommendations with regard to the implementation of this Project at national and regional levels. The
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following are some of the important activities which are being carried on under this Project:
1. Indo-U.S. Project for Developing Mutual Understanding between the peoples of the United States of America and India.
2. A survey of the present national activities relating to the programmes suggested by Unesco under the Major, Project, now being carried on by various bodies such as Universities, institutions and other organizations working in the fields of education, science and culture.
3. Setting up of small groups consisting of scholars belonging to different disciplines to study the Intellectual aspects of the project and methods of its promotion at the University Centres.
With regard to the Indo-U.S. Project for developing mutual under- standing between the Peoples of India and the U.S.A., the Indian National Commission organised a meeting of American and Indian Scholars at Ootacammund from 19th to 22nd March, 1959 to discuss further the Indo-U.S. Project in general. Indian National Commission has taken steps to finalise its paper on the 'Traditional Values in Indian Life'.
It is also proposed to undertake the following activities with some financial assistance from Unesco:
1. Preparation and publication of a pamphlet describing the main features of the National Culture and the present day life in the country for school libraries in Eastern and Western countries.
2. Preparation of inexpensive visual materials on the various aspects of Indian culture and to assemble a kit on India for use in Western Schools.
3. Organization of a meeting of teachers and small groups of experts (on a national basis) to discuss, educational methods most likely to develop understanding of the cultures in different regions.
4. Organization of an East-West Week on an All India basis designed to further the objectives of the Project among the general public.
The Indian National Commission continued its active participation in Unesco's Project of translation of Classics. The aim of the Project is to promote international understanding and disseminate cultures
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between the countries of the East and the West. 51 Indian Classics are covered by this Project for translation into Western Languages. About 40 classics are in the various stages, of translation. Five have since been published, four, in French and one in English.
The Government of India have been paying a sum of Rs. 15,000 annually as its contribution to this project. Unesco is also making a somewhat similar contribution out of its normal budget. So far Government of India have paid Rs. 90,000 in six equal instalments. An amount of Rs. 15,000 will be paid during the current financial year.
Other Activities
The Government and the Commission have been participating in the Unesco International Coupon Scheme since 1949 with a view to facilitating the purchase of books and publications by educational Institutions and individuals from other countries. Ever since the inception of the scheme and till December, 1959 the Commission has sold coupons as follows: Book Coupons worth $342604.04; Scientific Material Coupons worth $526441.06 and Educational, Scientific and Films Coupons worth $422003.37. India also continued to participate in the Unesco, Gift Coupon Scheme as a beneficiary country. The Gift coupons received under this scheme were forwarded to the schools and other educational institutions for which these were intended.
The Unesco Regional Seminar on teh use of Audio-visual Aids in fundamental Education and Community Development held in India in September, 1958 recommended the establishment of a Regional Centre for production and distribution of audio-visual aids for this Region. The proposal was formally moved by the Indian Delegation at the 10th Session of the General Conference which authorised the Director- General to undertake preliminary enquiry and report back to the General conference at its 11th Session on the advisability and possibility of the establishment of the proposed Centre. The Director-General seems favourably inclined to the proposal and has enquired from the Government of India whether the Centre could be set up in India. If the proposal is finally accepted the Centre will be established at the National Institute of Audio Visual Education, New Delhi.
As in the past the Commission provided all possible facilities to Unesco Fellows who came to India for studies and research. During the period under review, a number of foreigners came to India on Unesco Travel Grants for study tours. A few fellowships/travel grants
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were also awarded to the Indian Students for study/tour in foreign countries.
India continued to participate in the Unesco Programme of youth Travel Grants and workers study tours. Unesco has accepted applications of (i) Indian National Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha and All India Trade Union Congress, for award of grants under Workers Study Tours during 1959-60 which were recommended by the Commission.
With the financial assistance of Unesco, the Hindi translation of the following Unesco publications have been completed-
(1) Enough Good Food
(2) Unesco Source Book 'for Science Teaching.
Action is being taken to publish these translations.
Unesco has undertaken to provide financial assistance for the translation of the following books.
1. Teaching of Reading and Writing (In Tamil).
2. The Provisions of Popular Reading Materials (In Hindi).
The Commission has already initiated action in this regard.
Unesco provides technical assistance under the Programme of Participa tion in the Activities of Member States. The assistance is given in the form of experts, fellowships, equipment. Under the former programme the following assistance has been received for Various Research and Technological Institutions from 1951 to 1958 :-
64 Experts.
46 Fellowships.
Equipment worth $ 41,79,23:935
Under this programme Unesco has agreed to provide the following aid during 1959:-
29 Experts.
8 Fellowships, plus 4 Fellowships (Out of Savings).
Equipment-worth $2,67,000.
This programme for 1959 is being implemented at present in consultation with the U.N. Technical Assistance Board and the Institutions concerned. As proposals under this programme are formulated one year in advance,
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the proposals for 1960 have already been formulated and sent to U.N Technical Assistance Board through the Department of Economic Affairs for consideration.
Under the participation programme Unesco, has approved the following projects to be assisted during the year, 1959-60.
Project Amount
1. Equipment of Television Project $
2. Equipment for Production of Filmstrips 29,000
3. Fellowship for Production of Filmstrips 5,000
4. Expert in Arts & Crafts 1,000
Equipment in Arts & Crafts ..
5. Research Centre on the Social Implications
of Industrialization in Southern Asia for
Expert Consultants,Meetings & Seminars 1,20,000
6. Asian Theatre Institute for 2 Experts 5,074
7. National Fundamental Education Centre 12
months Extension of one Expert ..
India participated in a number of International Conferences and Seminars organised by Or under the auspices of Unesco. Some of the important Conferences etc. are (1) 22nd International Conference on Public Education held in Geneva in July, 1959, (2) Radio-Isotopes Training Course, Tokyo, (3) Unesco symposium on Problems of Land and Water, (4) the 4th Session of the Inter-Governmental Copyright Commit- tee held in Geneva in October 1959, (5) Second meeting of Directors of National Cultural Relations Services, Paris (attended by an, official of the Indian Embassy in Paris), (6) International Oceanographic Congress, New York, (7) Meeting of Experts on the Treatment of West in Text Boots and Teaching material of South and East Asia.
The Indian National Commission will also be participating in (a) the Regional Conference of Representatives of National Commissions for Unesco in Asia to be held in Manila in January, 1960, (b) Regional Seminar on Publications for Schools, Wellington, New Zealand to be held in February, 1960. The New Zealand National Commission is organising an Exhibition of books and the Government of India have addressed the State Governments to send us publications suitable for display at the Exhibition, (c) Regional Seminar on the Development of Museums to be held in Tokyo, in October, 1960, (d) Regional Conference on Mass Media to be held in Bangkok.
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The next Session of the General Conference of Unesco, will be held in 1960 and one educational delegation will have to be sent to Paris as increased funds have been proposed in the Budget estimate for 1960-61.
During the period of the Report, a number of Unesco Officials visited this country; notable among them were Dr. Malcolm S. Adiseshiah, Assistant Director-General, Unesco, Dr. M. R. Salat, Director, Department of Cultural Activities and Prof. T. H. Marshal, Director, Social Sciences Department of Unesco. All facilities were provided to these Unesco, officials and wherever necessary, arrangements were made for discussions and meetings about Unesco Projects in India among various governmental and non-governmental agencies with these officials. The Director-General of Unesco visited India in January, 1960.
The 10th Session of Unesco General Conference was held in Paris in November-December, 1958 and it decided the percentage of contributions of various Member States etc. for the years 1959 and 1960. India's percentage was fixed, at 2.33 per cent and accordingly we were asked to pay a contribution of $557,677 (after deduction of credit on working capital fund and other surpluses) for the years 1959 and 1960 (2 years).
For the year 1959-60 India paid half the amount of the contribution i. e. $278,838 (equivalent to Rs. 13,27,800) to Unesco and the balance. amount i.e. $278,839 will be paid in the year 1960-61 for which necessary budget provision has been proposed under U.K. Circle.