7.1. Participation of Indian children in the 11th World School Children's Art Exhibition in Seoul, Korea (March, 1966).

7.2. Showing of Indian paintings in the "1965 Children International Art Exhibition" organised by the Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, Manila (December 1965).

8. Participation in Programmes of International Organisations.- The Commission arranged participation in a large number of programmes. Some of them are: (i) Exhibition on World School Art, Luxumberg (February, 1966); (ii) Eighth Unesco International School Art Exhibition, Japan (January-March 1966); (iii) Fifth World Educational Art Exhibition, (May 1965); (iv) "Anthology of all the Children of the World" (Rome); (v) "Collection of Life Compositions" at the invitation from the Asia Oceania African Friendship Society of Japan; (vi) 105 pictures sent by Nagasaki Unesco Association, Japan. The paintings were forwarded to a number of schools in India; (vii) International Art Exhibit and Art Auction for the benefit of Unesco and Brandeis University; (viii) Literature and information about Out-of School Scientific Activities in India were supplied to the

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Interim Coordinating Committee for the Presentation of Science and the Development of Out-of-School Scientific Activities, Brussels; (ix) Commission recommended the Indian Association for Pre-School Education, Delhi as a national affiliate to the World Organisation for early childhood education.

9. Assistance in Programmes of Institutions/Individuals in India.

(a) The Commission co-sponsored with the Bharatiya Natya Sangh, New Delhi, a symposium and round-table discussion on "What Role Should Theatre Play in Society Today". A grant-in-aid of Rs. 934.50 was also made to the Sangh for this activity.

(b) The Commission also made an ad hoc grant of Rs. 5,000 to the Committee on International Students Service, National Council of YMCAs of India, New Delhi to enable them to meet expenditure on the organisation of a National Constitution on Welfare of Students from Abroad held at Alwaye in May 1965.

(c) The Commission sanctioned a grant of Rs. 6,915 to the Indian Federation of United Nations Associations, New Delhi for holding an Orientation Course on U.N. and the Development Decade at Bombay in February, 1966.

(d) On the recommendations of the Commission, Unesco awarded financial assistance to the extent of $ 2,150 to the Indian Federation of University Women, New Delhi for organising a National Seminar on Promotion of Education of Girls and Women (December 1965).

(e) The National Commission is assisting and cooperating with the Nations' League of Penfriends, New Delhi in the, execution of a Unesco Project for linking of Oriental and Occidental Schools through pupils exchanging correspondence. The League is getting financial assistance from Unesco for this project.

(f) The Commission has also responded to numerous requests from schools in India for display materials and publications. Besides, the Commission has also assisted many educational institutions and non- governmental organisation in their work by giving them information.

10. Unesco Clearing House Activities-The Commission continued to work in close liaison with Unesco for the execution of the organisation projects and programmes. Mention may be made of the following projects :

10.1. The Commission obtained information on a number of Questionnaires received from Unesco. Some of the, important questionnaires were on : Out of School Education, Residential Schools in India, Bibliographical Service Throughout the World etc.

10.2. In addition, the Commission supplied up-to-date information on India for a few important Unesco Publications, viz., Handbook of International Exchanges, Index Translatorium, Unesco Year Book, etc.

11. Visits.-Mr. Hiroshi Koda, Deputy Secretary General, Japanese National Commission for Unesco visited Delhi in early 1965 and held

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discussions with Indian authorities on the problems of development of education in Asia with special reference to India.

12. Unesco International Coupon Scheme.-The Commission continued to operate the Unesco Coupon Scheme designed to assist individuals and institutions working in the field of education, science and culture to import materials for study or research on payment in rupees. Under a contract with Unesco, the Commission has assumed full responsibility for the operation of the Unesco Coupon Scheme in India. The Commission sold coupons worth approximately rupees two lakh during the current financial year. The actual demand for coupons was much greater but due to the critical foreign exchange position, only the most essential requirements could be met.

C. ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT

13. The Commission's function of rendering advice to the Government of India on matters relating to Unesco is mainly discharged through conferences and meetings. Mention may be made here of the following :

14. Seventh Meeting of the Indian National Commission for Unesco.The Indian National Commission for Unesco met in New Delhi on September 4-5, 1965 under the Chairmanship of Shri M. C. Chagla, President of the Commission. In view of the fact that the year 1965 was the International Cooperation Year, the Conference was named as the "International Cooperation Year Session" of the Indian National Commission. The keynote of the Session was international cooperation in the field of intellectual and human understanding and while considering the items of the Agenda the discussions revolved round the contribution that could be made to the International Cooperation Year by the Commission.

14.1. The Commission considered the Report on the approved programme and budget of Unesco for the years 1965 and 1966. It was noted that the value of Unesco's assistance to India in various educational, cultural, scientific, technological programmes and projects would be of the order of 2 million dollars for this period, Out of this amount, more than three fourths is earmarked for Fellowships for Indians abroad, assignment of foreign specialists to India and supply to India of scientific apparatus and equipment which cannot be fabricated in this country. Much of this aid is being channelized through Unesco's South Asia Science Cooperation Office, New Delhi.

14.2 The Commission expressed its satisfaction about the work done in respect of the programme of education of international understanding launched by it. India is doing more for this programme than many advanced countries of the West. The Commission approved an extensive programme of activities in connection with the 20th Anniversary of Unesco in 1966. The Commission also decided to make proper arrangements sufficiently in advance for the celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's birth centenary in 1969.

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The programme would put emphasis on propagation of information about Gandhiji's life and teachings in India and in foreign countries. It was decided to move Unesco in the matter in order that Mahatma Gandhiji's birth centenary may be celebrated on an international basis with special emphasis on Gandhian Philosophy.

14.3. The Commission considered the Report and the draft text sent by Unesco in respect of a declaration on the principles of International Cultural Cooperation proposed to be adopted by Unesco. It decided to constitute a working group to examine the Report and the draft text in detail and prepare comments for onward transmission to Unesco. The Commission also recommended that a set of principles governing International Cultural Cooperation from the Indian stand- point as well as a study Project on the place and role of Science and Technology in Indian history could be formulated by a Seminar to be held during 1966.

14.4. Members of the Commission emphasised that there should be greater cooperation between the different national commissions of Unesco and that the Indian National Commission should specially highlight in its activities cooperation in he Asian region. The Commission also passed the following resolutions:-

(i) that the Indian National Commission for Unesco should acquire comprehensive sets of colour transparencies of important works of world art, so that these can be housed in libraries of various museums in India. Emphasis should be given to the securing of that material about modern and contemporary art.

(ii) that in order to achieve closer and more intensive cooperation between the activities of the Indian National Commission and other National Commissions, our Commission should send out to different regions outstanding educationists, scientists, creative artistes or writers so that concrete exchanges are established continuously.

14.5 The Commission admitted 6 voluntary non-governmental organi- sations as its Associate members.

15. The 13th Meeting of the Executive Board of the Indian National non-governmental organisations implementing established programmes of work within the ambit of Unesco as Associate Members of the Indian National Commission.

SECTION II

GOVERNMENT'S RELATIONS WITH UNESCO

16. As one of the founder members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Government of India continued to develop and strengthen its relation with Unesco, International Non-Governmental Organizations and other ancillary bodies functioning under Unesco.

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Mr. Rene Maheu, Director-General of Unesco, visited India early in February 1965 and had discussions about Unesco's projects under implementation in this country.

17. There was no General Conference of Unesco during the year under review. But the Executive Board of Unesco, which in the absence of the General Conference, guides the policies and supervises the administration of Unesco, met twice in Paris during the year 1965. Shri Prem Kirpal, Education Secretary and Secretary-General of the Indian National Commission for Co-operation with Unesco who was elected as a Member by the General Conference attended both the Sessions. The Executive Board elected Shri Kirpal as Chairman of its Programme and External Relations Commission. It is not possible to highlight the many activities of Unesco in which India is interested in a short report; but some of the major developments of special interest are given below :

17.1. The Executive Board of Unesco at its 70th Session examined the implications of Portugal's membership of Unesco which has now become a fait accompli. The Board asked the Director-General to carry out, with the authorization of the Government of Portugal, an on the spot study of the present status of education in African territories under Portuguese rule. The Board asked the Director- General not to give effect, until the results of the study have been examined by the Board, to invitations to Portugal to attend conferences etc. convened by Unesco. At the 71st Session, the Executive Board decided that the request of the Government of Portugal for seeking the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Board's decision referred to above, should be placed before the 14th General Conference for a decision.

17.2. World Congress on Eradication of Illiteracy.-At its 70th Session, the Executive Board accepted the invitation of His Imperial Majesty, the Shah of Iran offering facilities to hold a World Congress of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy at Tehran. The Congress, accordingly, took place at Tehran from the 8th to the 19th September, 1965. Due to the outbreak of hostilities- with Pakistan, India could not be represented at the Conference. The Indian Ambassador at Tehran, however, attended the Conference as an observer. The Conference passed a number of resolutions emphasising the need for promotion of adult literacy as an essential element in the overall social and economic development, and suggested that literacy teaching should be oriented towards development and made an integral part not only of educational planning, but also of plans and projects for development in all sectors of national life. The Conference called for the mobilization of the human material resources of the countries which have a high incidence illiteracy for eradicating this evil. After noting the lack of qualified teachers and the necessity of reaching millions of illiterates spread over vast territories, the Conference recognised

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the need to use non-conventional means of communication and modern techniques e.g., radio, television, films, newspapers and certain forms of programmed instruction in the drive against illiteracy. While these agencies can add a new dimension to adult education, the massive use of such media calls for experiment and very careful evaluation. The Conference emphasised the need for extensive assistance to developing countries by International Agencies and in particular the U.N. Special Fund, for eradication of illiteracy. Unesco was asked by the Conference to devote increased resources to the struggle against illiteracy.

17.3. Asian Education Conference.-Unesco convened a Conference of Asian Ministers of Education and Economic Planning at Bangkok from the 22nd to the 29th November, 1965. The decision to invite Russia to the Conference as a full member was taken by the Executive Board of Unesco on the initiative of the Indian Member, Shri Prem Kirpal. India was represented at this Conference by Dr. C. D. Deshmukh and Dr. K. G. Saiyidain. After a week long deliberation, the Conference passed resolutions asking for balanced educational development including general education, technical education, literacy campaigns etc. and for integration of such development into over-all national plans for social and economic expansion. The Conference stressed the importance of qualitative improvement in education at all levels side by side with improvement in quantitative school enrolment. Improvement in the training of teachers, their status and conditions of service and increased use of modern teaching aids and techniques were emphasised by the Conference. Expansion of science education and the need for proper assessment of man-power demands in Asia were highlighted at the Conference.

17.4 United Nations Programme of Technical Assistance.-Under this programme, Unesco provides services of foreign experts, supply of scientific equipment which cannot be fabricated in this country and fellowships for training of Indian personnel abroad. The aggregate value of assistance earmarked for India under the Technical Assistance Programme through the agency of Unesco amounts to about $1.7 million for the biennium 1965-1966. The Programme has been of considerable value to India at this time of shortage of foreign exchange. Assistance under the Programme is being given for a variety of projects, the most important of which are : strengthening of advanced centres of study in the basic sciences in Indian universities; re- shaping of programmes of science education in secondary schools, and development of engineering and technological institutions including the institutes of technology. Out of 16 eminent Russian scientists invited to visit India under the project for strengthening of centres of advanced study in Indian universities, 9 have arrived, while the remaining are expected to come during the next few months. Twenty- four fellowships have been allocated for the training of Indian scientists in universities abroad. The scheme for secondary science teaching has continued to make good progress. Considerable assistance has been given by Unesco under the

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scheme since 1962. Stores and equipment worth about $2,60,000 have already been received. Further assistance in the form of stores to the tune of about $2,30,000 is expected. Currently, a team of 7 exports is working in India with the Department of Science Education of the NCERT, and 9 officers of the Council are receiving training abroad under this project.

17.5 Round Table on Jawaharlal Nehru.-The 13th Session, of the General Conference of Unesco had resolved to commemorate Jawaharlal Nehru's memory by holding an International Round Table on his role in the Modern World. The General Conference had decided that the Round Table should bring together the intellectual leaders of the world, i.e., thinkers, philosophers, scientists, writers, educationists, publicists, etc. to consider the life and work of Shri Jawaharlal Nehru and in this context discuss some of the great themes of human civilization which distinguish Eastern and Western cultures and reveal their common affinity. Unesco has accepted Government of India's invitation to hold the Round Table in New Delhi. It was originally proposed to hold the Round Table in March 1966, but subsequently, it has been decided to postpone it to the last week of September, 1966 in order to ensure that fully satisfactory arrangements are made. The foreign participants to the Round Table will be the guests of the Government of India.

18. Participation Programme.-Under this Programme, Unesco has offered India the following assistance

(i) One consultant in education for international understanding for 3 months.

(ii) One fellowship in information media. Four stipends for journalism fellows to spend one week at Unesco.

(iii) Equipment in the field of crafts of the value of $500.

(iv) A contribution of $10,000 towards the travel expenses of participants to attend a East-West Theatre Conference in India.

(v) Services of a Mobile Microfilm Unit for four months.

(vi) Two experts in conservation of art objects for five weeks each and $7,000 for equipment.

(vii) Financial contribution equivalent to $25,000 for consultants and travel grants for Regional Seminar on the development of museums.

19. India's Participation in Unesco Emergency Programme.-The Govment of India continued to participate in Unesco's Emergency Programme of assistance to member States in Africa for educational development. Out of 33 fellowships offered by India to African scholars for studies in this country under the programme, seven fellowships have been availed of. It is hoped to award the remaining fellowships during the next academic year.

20. Pilot Project of Chemistry Teaching in Asia.-In so far as India is concerned, the National Council of Educational Research and Training, has

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assumed overall responsibility for the execution of the Unesco- sponsored Pilot Project for Chemistry Teaching in Asia. Three scientists from. India who were invited to participate in the work of the International Working Group of the Project at Bangkok, have joined the Working Group. The Working Group will work at Bangkok for one year on the reorientation of teaching methods and curricula.

21. International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia.-The Government of India participated in the 6th meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Campaign to save the monuments of Nubia from inundation from the waters of the Aswan Dam. Dr. A. Vironi, Director, Service for Nubian Monuments, Unesco, visited New Delhi in January 1966 to discuss the modus operandi for utilization of India's promised contribution of Rs. 28 lakh towards the expenditure on Nubian Campaign.