 PHYSICAL EDUCATION, GAMES, SPORTS
 AND YOUTH WELFARE

A. PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Consolidation and extension of the programmes initiated during the second and third Plans continued to be the salient feature of the various schemes recommended for inclusion in the fourth Five Year Plan. The implementation of the National Fitness Corps Programme, an Integrated Programme of Physical Education evolved in accordance with the recommendations of the Kunzru Committee, received special attention during the year under review. This Programme consists of a basic compulsory curriculum. including a minimum of physical and cultural activities well woven into the fabric of educational system. Provision has been made for the improvement of training colleges of Physical Education in collaboration with the State Governments.

2. National Fitness Corps Programme.-Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendation of the Kunzru Committee that there should be one integrated Programme of Physical Education at the school stage, the Union Ministry launched an integrated programme, named, 'National Fitness Corps.' The new programme combines in it the best features of the existing three programmes viz., Physical Education, National Discipline Scheme and Auxiliary Cadet Corps hitherto operating at the school level. An illustrated Handbook outlining the N.F.C. syllabus for the schools has been published. As a measure of first priority, it has been suggested to the States that all the high and higher secondary schools should be covered under this programme during the current year and the middle schools are to be covered during the period of the fourth Five Year Plan in a phased manner.

2.1. It has been decided that, as soon as possible, the National Discipline Scheme Instructors, hitherto employees of the Central Government, will be transferred to the States for the implementation of the NFC programme. Reorientation of in-service teachers to the new programme is essential and to that end over 15,000 physical education teachers/National Discipline Scheme instructors have already been put through a reorientation course. The reorientation training programme is to be continued during the fourth Plan period with a view to reorienting all the teachers in the schools who will be responsible for implementing the programme.

2.2. The National Discipline Scheme Directorate, a subordinate office of this Ministry has been renamed as 'National Fitness Corps Directorate' and will confine its role to providing guidance, coordination of training programme and other activities with a view to ensuring uniform implementation of the programme. The two Central Training Institutes of the NFC Directorate will continue to train teachers in the new Programme.

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3. Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior.-The College continues to expand its activities. The college buildings, including the auditorium, are nearing completion and the construction of a swimming pool and gymnasium is also in hand. 85 and 14 students were admitted during the year to the 3-year degree course and the 2- year master's degree course respectively.

4. National Physical Efficiency Drive.-A two-day seminar of State Liaison Officers was held in August, 1965, at Bhopal, in which problems faced by the States in popularizing the Drive were discussed. The Drive was organized all over the country during the period October 1965 to January 1966. The target of participants fixed is 16 lakh and the figures of actual participation are awaited from the States.

4.1. The Fifth All India Competition for the National Awards in Physical Efficiency was organized at Gwalior in February, 1966.

5. Grants-in-Aid to Private Physical Education Training Institutions.Under the Scheme, grants are admissible to private Physical Education Training Institutions for play-grounds, hostels, gymnasia, administrative blocks, etc. Owing to the ban on projects involving constructional activity, in the context of the present emergency, only small grants under the scheme could be sanctioned to institutions whose projects had already been approved and which required funds for completing them. During the fourth Plan period the Scheme is being classified as a 'Centrally Sponsored Scheme' and its scope is being enlarged to cover the Government institutions as well.

6. Promotion of Research in Special Branches of Physical Education including Yoga.-The Scheme consists of four main items :

6.1. Promotion of Yoga.-The Yogic institutions of all India character continued to receive assistance under the Scheme for the promotion of Yoga.

6.2. Preparation of Popular Literature.-Further progress has been made in the preparation of popular literature on Games and Sports and the approved manuscripts on Kabaddi, Basketball, Badminton and Swimm- ing have been forwarded for publication to the National Institute of Sports, Patiala. The proposal regarding preparation of textual literature on Physical Education and Recreation is under examination in Lakshmibai College. of Physical Education, Gwalior.

6.3. Promotion of Research in Physical Education.-The research/ study projects already approved for assistance continued to make steady progress. The fresh proposals received in this behalf are being examined in consultation with the Research Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation.

6.4. Promotion of Recreation.-The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation at its last meeting held in December, 1965,

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set up a Sub-Committee to examine the question of drawing up a pro- gramme of recreational activities. A Seminar of experts on Recreation is also being organized in February 1966 to discuss inter alia the training programme for Recreation Leaders at Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior.

7. Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.-The scheme which aims at promoting active and creative use of leisure among boys between 14 and 19 years and girls between 14 and 20 years of age has been favourably received in the country. The winners get three graded standards of awards in the form of certificates and medals. Seven States have set up Committees to look after the implementation of the scheme and a few institutions, selected by the State Governments for participation in the scheme, have been recommended to this Ministry. The names of these institutions will be transmitted to the Head Office in London.

8. Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation.-The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation, on which all the States are represented, has been reconstituted for a further term of three years with effect from 28-8- 1965. The Board at its 16th meeting held in December, 1965 in New Delhi endorsed the action taken by the Union Ministry of Education for the implementation of the National Fitness Corps Programme. It observed that in the context of the present emergency the programme of NFC should be implemented vigorously and effectively so as to fit in with defence requirements.

9. Moral and Religious Instruction.-The recommendations made by the Committee on Moral and Religious Instruction are being implemented by the State Governments and Universities. The Union Ministry has since published a book on the life of Swami Vivekananda. Another book `Bal Niti Katha' has since been sent for publication.

B. SPORTS AND GAMES

10. The pace of activities in the field of sports and games continued to maintain steady progress. From the reports of the observers, deputed by the Government and other sports organisations, to watch the Olympics at Tokyo in 1964, the conclusion has been reached that sports talent among very young boys and girls needs the greatest attention and encouragement. The Ministry is, therefore, considering measures for spotting sports talent at a very early stage in child development with a view to fostering and developing it on the right lines.

11. All India Council of Sports.-The All-India Council of Sports, an advisory body, set up to advise the Government of India in all matters relating to the development of sports and games, has been reconstituted with effect from 16-7-1965 under the chairmanship of General K. M. Cariappa.

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11.1. The Council is pursuing the objective of improving the organisation of the National Sports Federations on the lines laid down by it. Considerable improvements have been effected in the sports organisational set-up, and several sports organisations are now registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Further, most of the office-bearers do not hold multiple, offices as before. The Council has granted recognition to a number of national sports organisations.

11.2. The Council is at present engaged in formulating schemes for the development of sports in rural areas, for spotting young talent and for the publication of Sports Almanac, Sports Calendar, etc. The Council proposes to hold the 3rd AR India Sports Congress in April, 1966.

12. National Institute of Sports and Coaching Scheme.-The Institute at Patiala continued to make steady progress. 153 more coaches have been trained during the year under report, bringing the total number of coaches so far turned out to 701. At present 159 persons, including 2 candidates from Afghanistan, are undergoing training in the Institute. The, process of replacement of the foreign coaches by Indian under-studies has also made progress. An Indian has replaced the Chief Coach in Badminton who belonged to Malaysia.

12.1. Under the National Coaching Scheme, 31 Regional Coaching Centres have been opened in the States and Union Territories under the auspices of the State Sports Councils which are aided by the National Institute of Sports by placing at their disposal the services of coaches, free of cost, apart from those employed by the State Sports Councils from their own resources. Nine more Regional Coaching Centres are expected to be opened shortly.

13. In order to achieve better co-ordination and liaison between Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior, and the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, a Society has been set up by the Government of India for the administration of the Central Institutes in the field of Physical Education and Sports. The existing Societies administering the Lakshimibai College of Physical Education and the National Institute of Sports are expected to be merged in this new Society.

14. Participation of Sportsmen and Indian Teams in Important Events.-The First Asian Badminton Championships were held in Lucknow from 30th October to 14th November, 1965, in which eight Asian countries including India, participated.

14.1. Financial assistance and/or permission of the Government was also accorded, in consultation with the All India Council of Sports, to the National Sports Federations for inviting foreign teams to India and for sending Indian teams abroad for participation in international events. Grants were also given to National Sports Federations for holding National Championships, organizing Coaching Camps, purchasing sports equipment and for

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meeting salaries of the paid Assistant Secretaries. State Sports Councils also are being assisted in organising Coaching Camps and in purchasing sports equipment. Coaching camps in Mountaineering, organised by Universities, are also subsidised by the Union Ministry of Education.

15. Arjuna Awards.-The undermentioned outstanding sportsmen were selected for Arjuna Awards for the year 1964 :

                  1.   Shri Makhan Singh             Athletics
                  2.   Nawab of Pataudi              Cricket
                  3.   Shri Jarnail Singh            Football
                  4.   Shri S. Laxman                Hockey
                  5.   Shri Gautam R. Divan          Table Tennis
                  6.   Rao Raja Hanut Singh          Polo
                  7.   Shri Bishambar Singh          Wrestling

15.1. It has also been decided to make the Award to the team of Indian mountaineers who successfully scaled Mount Everest in May, 1965.

16. Construction of Stadia.-The scheme did not make much progress owing to the restrictions imposed on projects involving constructional activity. Projects already sanctioned and those under execution, however, continued to get grants admissible under the rules.

17. Exchange of Sports Teams etc. under Cultural Co-operation Programmes.-Under the Indo-Soviet Cultural Exchange Programme for 1965-66, teams in Athletics, Football and Tennis visited India and played a number of friendly matches at different centres in the country.

17.1. An Indian Hockey Coach was sent to Nigeria for a period of one year to train the hockey players in that country. The expenditure on account of this coach was borne by the Union Ministry of Education.

17.2. Sports goods have been sent to Ethiopia as a gift from the Government of India for presentation to the local Sports Associations.

18. National Sports Centre.-It is proposed to set up a National Sports Centre designed to provide facilities for international events.

19. Youth Festival etc.-A party of about 200 Commonwealth students studying in the, various Universities of the U.K., led by Lt. Col, L. H. M. Gregory, came to India by an over-land route and visited different University centres for a period of about a month.

19.1. The Tenth Inter-University Youth Festival, which was proposed to be held in October, 1965, was cancelled in view of the national emergency.

C. YOUTH WELFARE

20. Student Tours.-Under this scheme students of the age-group 15-24 are given assistance to meet rail/bus fare at students' concession rates, subject to a maximum of Rs. 60 per student, to enable groups of students from recognised institutions to undertake educational tours to places of cultural, historical and educational interest. The expenditure under the scheme during the year 1965-66 is estimated at Rs. 0.15 lakh.

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21. Youth Hostels.-The Scheme made, no progress as no new could be sanctioned owing to emergency and the ban on new constructions.

22. Youth Welfare Boards and Committees-17 universities have set up such Committees. It is hoped that more and more universities will establish their Boards and Committees in the next few years thus giving a fillip to youth welfare programmes in their respective jurisdiction. The likely expenditure on this scheme during 1965-66 is Rs. 0.50 lakh.

23. Youth Leadership and Dramatic Training Camps.-These Camps are organised with a view to imparting short-term training to college/university teachers in the organisation of youth welfare programmes in their institutions. The Ministry organised a Dramatic Training Camp at Mysore during June, 1965, and 23 teachers from all over the country participated in it. An expenditure of Rs. 0.21 lakh was incurred on this Camp.

23.1. Under the Scheme financial, assistance can also be given to universities to conduct similar camps. Proposals received from the universities are under consideration. The likely expenditure during 1965-66 is Rs. 0.30 lakh.

24. N.C.C.-Compulsory N.C.C. training for all able bodied students in colleges and universities has been making steady progress. The implementation of the scheme is controlled by the N.C.C. Directorate and the Ministry of Defence shares the expenditure with the State Governments.

25. Circus.-The Education Ministry recommends to the Railway authorities, the requests received from the Circus companies affiliated to the Circus Federation of India, for the grant of travel concessions. Their requests are also recommended to the State Governments for affording suitable camping facilities and other assistance that may be required.

D. BHARAT SCOUTS AND GUIDES

26. The Union Government continued to extend financial assistance to the Bharat Scouts and Guides for their various activities. The likely expenditure for the year 1965-66 is Rs. 4.00 lakh.

26.1. Besides its usual activities, the Bharat Scouts and Guides participated in the following international events : (i) Asian Rover Scout Moot in Ceylon; (ii) International Golden Jubilee Scout Camp in Uganda; (iii) Senior Girls' Round at Idaho; (iv) Twentieth World Scouts Conference in Mexico; and (v) Public Relation Seminar in Finland. The Bharat Scouts and Guides organised an all India Rover and Rangers Samagam at Pachmarhi and also arranged specialised. training by John Thurman, Camp Chief from the U.K.

E. LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICE SCHEME

27. This Scheme has been in operation since 1954. It is divided into two parts: (i) Labour and Social Service Camps and (ii) Campus Work Projects.

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27.1. Labour and Social Service Camps.-The Scheme is operated through the State Governments and the Universities. The object of such Camps is also to inculcate a sense of dignity in manual labour among students and other youth and to give them an opportunity of coming into contact with village life and participating in works of the community development blocks. Each camper is expected to put in about four hours of shramdan daily in a camp lasting 10 to 21 days on certain selected minor projects.

27.2. Out of a budget provision of Rs. 7.50 lakh (reduced to Rs. 3.25 lakh on grounds of economy), a sum of Rs. 1,98,327 was sanctioned to the State Governments, Union Administrations, Universities and colleges, for holding 71 labour and social service camps during the year. Certain proposals for holding the camps are still under examination and a full revised allotment is expected to be spent.

27.3. Campus Work Projects.-The purpose of this scheme is to provide in educational institutions the much needed amenities like recreation halls-cum-auditoria, swimming pools, gymnasia, open-air theatres, pavilions, small stadia and cinder tracks etc. One of the conditions of grants for these projects is that the staff and students of the institution should offer skilled or unskilled labour to the extent of 5 per cent of the cost of the project and further contribute 25 per cent of the actual expenditure on the project.

27.4. Out of a revised provision of Rs. 15 lakh during the year under report, a total sum of Rs. 12,33,783 has been released during the current financial year. The scheme has been transferred to the State sector with an outlay of Rs. 60 lakh in the fourth Five-Year Plan.

F. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

                                                         
        Sl.            Scheme                                       Provision for 1965-66    Provision for
        No.                                                                                       for
                                                                    Original      Revised       1966-67
        
                                                         
        1              2                                               3             4              5
        
                                                         
        
        1. Lakshmibai College of Physical                              Rs.          Rs.            Rs.
             Education, Gwalior                                    16,50,000     22,50,000     13,10,000
        
        2. Grants-in-aid to Private  Physical
             Education Training Institutions                        6,00,000      4,00,000      4,00,000
        
        3. Promotion of Research in Special
             Branches of Physical Education
             including Yoga.                                        2,40,000      2,28,000      2,80,000
        
        4. National Physical Efficiency Drive                       5,00,000      5,00,000      3,40,000
        
        5. Seminars on Physical Education                             10,000         5,000        15,000
        
        6. Central Advisory Board of Physical
             Education & Recreation and other
             Committees                                               10,000         5,000         8,500
        
        7. National Fitness Corps:
             (1) Direct Expenditure                              1,85,55,000    1,85,55,000  1,05,30,000
             (ii) Grants to States                                 11,40,000       7,92,000    87,00,000
        
        8. Grants to Sports Federations                             6,50,000       6,50,000     8,00,000
        
        9. Construction of Stadia                                   2,25,000       1,10,000     1,50,000*

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