A Memorial Lecture (a the life and work of Sardar Patel was delivered by Shri U. N. Dhebar at a function held in New Delhi on September 5, 1975. The Vice-President of India presided over the function.
An ad-hoc grant of Rs. 6 lakhs was sanctioned to the Government of Gujarat on 29th October, 1975 to start the construction work of the Sardar Patel Memorial at Bardoli, Gujarat.
The concluding function of the year long celebrations of the birth centenary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was organised on the lawns of Vithalbhai Patel House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi on the 31st October, 1975. The function was organised under the auspices of the National Committee and was presided over by the Prime Minister. A commemorative stamp and a photographic album on Sardar Patel were also released on the occasions
700th Anniversary of Amir Khusrau As a part of the 700th aniversary celebrations of Amir Khusrau, an International Seminar on the Life and Works of Amir Khusrau was inaugurated by the President of India oft 23rd January, 1976 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi which continued upto 25th January, 1976. Scholars and experts on Amir Khusrau from the following foreign countries participated in the Seminar in addition to Indian participants:-
1. Afghanistan.
2. Bangladesh.
3. Egypt.
4. Iran.
5. Syria.
6. Turkey.
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7. U.S.S.R.
8. U.S.A.
Arrangements were also made for sight-seeing in Delhi and Agra for the foreign delegates.
Preservation of Monuments and other similar Public Causes At the instance of the Prime Minister, the following Working Group has been set up to consider ways and means of making concerted efforts to build an awareness of the need to preserve monuments and other similar public causes:-
1. Shri K. N. Channa,-Convenor.
Education Secretary.
2. Gen. K. P. Candeth,
Director General, Youth Services.
3. Shri P. C. Chatterjee,
Director General, A.I.R.
4. Dr. B. D. Nag Chaudhari,
Vice-Chancellor,
Jawahar Lal Nehru University.
5. Mr. Gerson da Cunha,
Lintas India Ltd., Bombay-400001.
The first meeting of the Working Group was held on 23rd August, 1975 under the Chairmanship of Prof. S. Nurul Hasan, Minister of Education and Social Welfare. The Working Group recommended that the first theme on which such awareness may be built and a programme of work chalked out, should be "Preservation of Monuments" and that the drive might begin in the last quarter of 1975-76, sometime around 1st November, and continue for a period of six months. The various programmes recommended by the Working Group in this connection are being implemented through the agencies concerned Eke the State Gov- ernments, the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of information and Broadcasting, the DAVP, the S.Y. Division of the Ministry of Education & S.W., etc.
The Working Group has held four meetings till the end of January, 1976.
Cultural Agreements. The following Cultural Agreements were concluded during hte year :-
(i) Indo-Tanzanian Cultural Agreement was signed on 17-1-75 in New Delhi. The Agreement was signed by Prof.
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S. Nurul Hasan, Minister of Education, Social Welfare and Culture, on behalf of the Government of India and by H. E. G. Mapunda, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
(ii) Indo-Zambian Cultural Agreement was signed on 26-1-75 in New Delhi by Shri Y. B. Chavan, Minister of External Affairs on behalf of the Government of India and by H. E. Mr. V. J. Mwaanga, Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
(iii) Indo-Rwanda Cultural Agreement was signed in Kigali on 4-7- 1975 by Shri H. K. Singh, Ambassador of India an Rwanda and by Lt. Col. Nsekalije Aloys, Foreign and Cooperation Minister on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.
(iv) Indo-Mexican Cultural Agreement was signed in New Delhi on 23-7-1975 by Shri K. N. Channa, Secretary, Department of Culture on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Jose S. Gallastegui, Under Secretary of External Affairs on behalf of the Government of the United Mexican States.
(v) Indo-Syran Cultural Agreement was signed in New Delhi on 13- 11-1975 by Prof. S. Nurul Hasan, Education Minister on behalf of the Government of India and by H.E. Abdul Khalim Khaddam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government of Arab Republic of Syria.
Some of the agreements since entered into were with Jordan, Belgium, Turkey and Hungary.
These Agreements envisage strengthening of relations with other countries in the fields of art and culture, education including academic activity in the field of science & technology, sports mass media of information, public health, etc. In pursuance of these Cultural Agreements, regular Cultural Exchange Programmes are drawn up which comprise exchange of visits of professors, writers, artists, grant of scholarships of higher studies, exchange of books, publications, art exhibitions, etc.
Cultural Exchange Programme A number of Cultural Exchange Programmes were drawn up during the year-
1. Indo-Polish Cultural Exchange for the years 1975 and 1976 was signed on 21-1-1975 in New Delhi.
2. Indo-Mongolian Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 1975 and 1976 was signed in New Delhi on 17th May, 1975.
3. Indo-Yugoslav Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 1975 and 1976 was signed in Belgrade on the 29th May, 1975.
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4. Indo-Afghanistan Cultural Exchange Programme for 1975 and 1976 was signed in Kabul on 1-9-75.
5. Indo-French Programme for Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation for the years 1976 and 1977 was signed on 28-11-75 in New Delhi.
6. Indo-Australian Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 1975-77 was agreed to in a meeting between the delegations from India and Australia held in New Delhi on 2-4-1975.
7. Indo-Iraqi Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 1976 and 1977 was signed in New Delhi on 15-1-1976.
These Cultural Exchange Programmes generally envisage cooperation in various fields of education, art & culture, radio, television, press and films, health, sports etc. These Programmes also provide for exchange of professors, scientist/research workers, sportsmen and journalists and exhibitions of arts etc.
Indo-US Sub-Commission on Education and Culture The second meeting of the Indo-US Joint Commission was held in Washington on October 6 & 7, 1975. Among several matters discussed at the Session, the working of the Indo-US Sub-Commission on Education & Culture and the progress made since its last meeting held in February were discussed. Among the programmes approved were the establishment of a Joint Committee on museums, holding of joint seminars, Visitorships and Fellowships, exchange of Art Exhibitions, Films and Audio-visual & T. V. Programmes etc. Both sides have since agreed to have a programme to award ten Fellowships/Visitorships per year to each other's nationals for two years 1976 and 1977. The Fellowships are for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral studies, and the duration ranges between 6-12 months. The visitorships are for a short duration of 3 months each.
Cultural Delegation (Incoming) Till December 31, 1975, 25 cultural delegations (3 performing, 20 non-performing and 2 art exhibitions) visited India under the various Indo-Foreign Cultural Exchange Programmes and the Cultural Activities Programme of the Department of Culture. The Slovak Education Minister from Czechoslovakia, the Deputy Education Minister from Burma and the Cultural Adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates visited India during the period.
Performing groups/ensembles from Burma, U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia visited the country and gave performances during the period.
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Besides, distinguished visitors who have made a mark in the fields of art, letters and culture from Trinidad, Poland, GDR, Singapore, Sri Lanka, U.S.S.R. Belgium, Hungary, Mauritius, Argentina, Bangladesh, Czechoslovakia, Indonesia, Burma, U.A.E., and South Korea were received in the country during this period
Two art exhibitions from Poland and Romania were held during the period.
An International Seminar on the Ramayana Tradition in Asia was organised by Sahitya Akademi on behalf of the Department of Culture in Delhi. 15 foreign delegates from Bangkok, Colombo, Malaysia, Japan, Burma, Philippines, Australia, England and U.S.A. and 40 Indian delegates participated in the Seminar. An exhibition of publications and manuscripts on Ramayana and cultural programmes on Ramayana theme were also organised in connection with the Seminar.
During the period from 1st January to 31st March, 1976, Ministers for Education and Culture from Hungary, G.D.R. and Bulgaria are expected to visit the country. In addition 16 cultural delegations (non-performing) from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, F.R.G., Tonga, Bulgaria, Romania, Belgium, Mongolia, U.S.S.R., U.S.A., Ethiopia, Tunisia, A.R.E. and Madagascar, five performing delegations from USSR, Bulgaria, Australia, Afghanistan and Romania and two art exhibitions from F.R.G. and U.S.S.R. are likely to visit India under the various Indo-Foreign Cultural Exchange Programme and the Cultural Activities Programme of the Department of Culture.
Performing Delegations Abroad (Out-going) Indian dancers/musicians participated in the following Inter- national Festivals under various Cultural Activities Programme:-
(i) (a) 5th Festival of Arts of India was organised by the Sanskritik Centre of Indian Art Ltd., London during June-July, 1975.
(b) 8th International Festival of Arts, Carthage was organised by the Government of Tunisia during 11-20 July, 1975.
A 13-member dance music ensemble consisting of Km. Darshana Jhaveri, Manipur dancer, Shri Smt. Dhananjayan, Bharatanatyam dancer, Shri Indranil Bhattacharya, Sitarist and Shri Mani Prasad, Vocalist including accompanists participated in the two Festivals mentioned above. In addition, they toured various towns in the U.K. and Tunisia. Shri Indranil Bhattacharya won the first prize in the instrumental session in the Festival at
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Carthage. On their way back the troupe visited Kenya, Malavi and Ethiopia. Their performance in all these countries was greatly appreciated and widely acclaimed in the Press.
(ii) The Asian folk dance Festival was organised in Seoul by the Government of Republic of Korea. At the invitation of the Government of Republic of Korea. At the invitation of the ensemble of Ranga Sri Little Ballet Troupe, Gwalior was sponsored to participate in the Festival. On its way back the troupe gave successful performances in Thailand in response to the invitation extended by the local authorities.
(iii) The Asian folk music and dance festival was organised by the Government of Japan and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. On the invitation of the organisers a 25-member dance ensemble consisting of Jagoi Marup Manipuri dance troupe from Imphal and Km. Uma Sharma a well known Kathak dancer with accompanists participated in the celebrations. Their performances were warmly applauded all round.
(iv) The International Puppet Festival, Barcelona was organised by the 'Biblioteca-Museo del Instituto del Teatro de la Diputacion de Barcelona' from 23rd to 30th November, 1975. A 6-member troupe of Puppeteers of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, Udaipur was sponsored to, participate in the Festival. In addition to giving puppet shows the troupe also gave performances of folk dances. After barcelona they visited Algeria, Senegal and Iraq.
(v) The International Dance Festival, Paris was held for young dancers in Paris from 17th to 22 November, 1975. Government nominated Km. Bijovalaxmi Mohanty a young Odissi dancer to participate in the Festival. Thereafter, she visited Hungary and Bulgaria under the respective Cultural Exchange Programmes. Her performances in all the three countries visited by her were greatly appreciated.
(vi) The well known dance troupe of Kalakshetra, Madras consisting of 24 artistes visited USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia and F.R.G. under the respective Cultural Exchange Programmes with these countries. In addition to individual dancers the troupe also performed scenes from their Ballet Ramayana. Their performances all over were well received.
(vii) Shri Balachander, eminent Veena player with 3 accompanists was sponsored to visit Yugoslavia and Poland under the Cultural Exchange Programme. His visit evoked considerable interest in these countries.
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Visitors to foreign countries (Out-going) Under the Cultural Exchange Programme/Cultural Activities Programme, 9 Indians. were sponsored for visits abroad to attend meetings, conferences organised in the countries of their visit and for meeting and exchange of experience with their counterparts in those countries,
Exhibitions An exhibition of Contemporary Indian Sculptures consisting of 40, sculptures covering a span of 35 years from 1940 to 1975 of work of 25 eminent sculptors was sent to Belgium for the 13th Biennale of the Middleheim. Open Air Museum of Sculpture at Antwerp. The exhibition was devoted to Asian sculpture and besides India, Turkey and Japan, participated. It was for the first time that an exhibition of Contemporary Indian sculptures was sent to Western countries. The exhibition was compiled by the National Gallery of Modern Art on behalf of this Department.
Travel Subsidy The following scholars/experts were granted 50% travel subsidy for attending conferences, seminars etc. -
(1) Shri Gautam Joshi, Director, Indian National Thea- tres to attend the World Festival of Theatres, Nancy, France.
(2) Smt. Prabhjot Kaur, a punjabi writer to attend the 4th P.E.N. International Executive Committee and round table conference, Paris as a nominee of the P.E.N. Centre of India.
(3) Shri P. V. Jankiraman, a well known sculptor to Budapest to revive the award won by his sculpture at the Second International Small Plastic Biennale held in, Budapest in 1972.
(4) Prof. R. N. Dandekar of Bhandarkar Oriental Re- search Institute, Poona to attend the 13th International Congress of History of Religions in, London.
(5) Two accompanists who accompanied Smt. Indrani Rahman, well-known Bharatanatyam dancer to USA and the troupe of Sonal Mansingh, eminent Bharatanatyam dancer and Odissi dancer who visited Iran and West Germany.
Plan Project The work in the preparation of a Source Book on Indian and Asian Civilisation has been going at the Indian Institute of Ad-
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vanced Studies, Simla and the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. The latter was to have completed their project 'Source Book on Indian Culture' during this year but have taken additional work in hand covering important aspects of the three periods viz most ancient, early period and the post independence period for the use of foreign scholars which is likely to be completed during 1976-77.
The Institute at Simla have already finalised the three mono- graphs on the Source Book; one of them has already been printed and the other two are in, the press. They have also started work on the other two monographs. In this connection the Director and the coordinator of the Scheme are visiting South East Asian countries for the same. The work will continue during the Fifth Five Year Plan.
Transferred items of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (1) The Indian Council for Cultural Relations under the 'Transferred Items' sent three delegations abroad. These include Shri Anant Lal, a Shehnai player, Smt. Nalini Malhotra, a well known dancer and Shri Munawar Khan a vocalist to Afganistan to give performances on the occasion of Jashan Celebrations; Shri Bhagawan Sahu and his party to Bhutan, on the occassion of Indian Independence day celebrations; Km. Praveen Sultana, a vocalit and Shri Raja Reddy and Smt. Radha Reddy both Kuchupudi dancers along with the party to Nepal on the occasion of Republic Day Celebrations.
Two delegations led by Km. Praveen Sultana and Sri Durga Lal are scheduled to participate in the Republic day celebrations in Nepal and Sri Lanka respectively. A performing delegation will also be sent to Mauritius during March, 1976.
(2) Prizes in the form of Handicrafts and books were despatched to our Missions in Turkey, Thailand, Somalia, Hungary, Mauritius, USSR, Australia, Zambia, Bhutan, Yugoslavia and Senegal to be given away as prizes to the winners of essay competitions on subjects relating to India organised by the respective missions of India abroad.
(3) Under the Scheme of Presentation of Books and Art objects, books were despatched to various institutions in Mauritius, Tunisia, USA, Fiji, Mexico, Bangaladesh, Czechoslovakia, West Germany, Iran, Romania, Zaire, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Canada, Trinidad, Algeria, Belgium, Australia, Bhutan, Chile, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, Somalia, Ghana, Afganistan, Dublin, Brazil, Kenya, Malaysia, Greece, Hongkong, Mozambique and Poland.
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Musical instruments were presented to India School in Washington and Port Luis. Indian dolls were sent to Canada and U.S.A. Three replicas of Taj Mahal were despatched to three museums in Trinidad and a set of masks was sent to International Museum of Carnivals and Masks, Binche, Belgium.