YOUTH SERVICES
The youth Services Division has been implementing Programmes catering to the needs and development of the student and non-student youth. What follows is an account of those that are being implemented at present.
National Service Scheme The, National Service Scheme (NSS), intended to develop among the students of universities and colleges an awareness of and concern for the, social well-being of the community by involving them in various developmental activities was continued during the year. The scheme is being implemented presently in almost all the states and universities and the students enrolled under the scheme during the year under review numbered 4.5 lakhs. The scheme has been extended to cover students at +2 stage also in some of the States and Union Territories.
In addition to Programmes like construction and repair of roads, school-buildings, village-ponds, tanks, tree-plantation, etc. N.S.S. students have been participating in programmes like environmental improvement, hygiene and sanitation, family welfare, child-care, mass immunisation, vocational training in craft, tailoring, knitting, toy- making, organizing co-operatives, mahila mandals, and balwadis for members of weaker sections, etc. N.S.S. students also participated in a significant way in the National, Adult Education Programme. They did commendable work during the year in the states which have suffered from natural calamities. Students involved themselves not only in the collection of funds, clothes, medicines and distribution of relief materials to the flood victims, but also engaged in various programmes directed to prevent the outbreak of diseases and health hazards and help rehabilitate the victims.
National Service Scheme The National Service Volunteer Scheme which was started in 1977- 78 with the objective of providing opportunities to students
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who have completed their first degree, to involve themselves, on a voluntary basis in nation activities for a specific period on a whole- time basis, was continued during the year. About 350 volunteers are deployed with 130 Nehru Yuvak Kendras and over 30 voluntary agencies. The volunteers are given suitable training before they start work. Each volunteer is paid a stipend of Rs. 175 per month plus a fixed amount of Rs. 25 per month on travel and contingencies.
Nehru Yuvak Kendras The programme, of Nehru Yuvak Kendras (NYK), meant to serve the interests of the non-student youth, mainly of the rural areas, was continued in 1979-80. Out of 255 sanctioned Kendras 187 were functioning by the end of December, 1979.
The activities undertaken by Nehru Yuvak Kendras during 1979-80 include organisation of youth leadership training camps, holding of work-camps for social and community service, organisation of cultural and recreational programme including folk art festivals, sports, and games, vocational training and organisation of Yuvak Mandals and Mahila Mandals. It is estimated that about 30,000 youth per month are being trained in various skills under the vocational training programmes. In the field of sports, games and physical education, the Nehru Yuvak Kendras are able to mobilise, on an average, 10,000 youth per month. During the year under review, the Kendras gave high priority to organisation of adult education programmes. these programmes are organised in the form of Chetna Sanghs, which are Village youth centres for organisation of literacy, social awareness and functional upgradation activities. Most of these activities are organised through National Service Volunteers and it is expected that the coverage under the adult education programmes through Nehru Yuvak Kendras will exceed 1.5 lakhs in 1979-80.
In pursuance of the recommendations of the Review Group on Nehru Yuvak Kendras, emphasis is being given on involvement of women and youth belonging to the weaker sections of the society in the Activities of the Kendras. Financial support for programmes undertaken by Kendras has been enhanced from Rs. 20.000 to Rs. 40,000 per annum. With a view to Providing guidance and counselling to the Youth Coordinators and other functionaries of the Kendras and to undertake research and' evaluation of the work of the Kendras, three Information
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Development And Resource Agencies (IDARAs) were sanctioned at Narendrapur (West Bengal), Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Gandhi-gram (Tamil Nadu).
Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations Working in the
Field of Youth The scheme has been evolved to provide support to voluntary organisations which involve youth for developmental activities especially in rural areas. This scheme also encourages involvement of voluntary agencies in the implementation of youth programmes, such as leadership training to non-student youth and training for self- employment and establishment of work centres. About 28 organisations have been given assistance of an amount over Rs. 10 lakhs.
Scheme for Promotion of Adventure The objectives of this scheme are to encourage the spirit of adventure, risk-taking, co-operative team-work, capacity of ready and vital response to challenging situations nd endurance among the youth. Financial assistance is provided under the scheme for undertaking activities like mountaineering, trekking, hiking, exploration for collection of data, study of flora and fauna in the mountains, forests, desert and sea, canoeing, coastal sailing, raft expeditions, swimming, cycling, etc. Assistance is also provided for training as well as for the establishment and development of institutions to facilitate such activities. Assistance to the extent of over Rs. 6 lakhs has been given to various institutions, groups and individuals for these activities. In addition, the Indian Mountaineering foundation, New Delhi, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, were given financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 3 Lakhs and Rs. 2.25 lakhs respectively for running their programmes.
Scouting and Guiding Scouting and Guiding, an international movement, aims at developing the character of boys and girls to make them good citizens by inculcating them a spirit of loyalty petriotism and thoughtfulness for others. It also promotes balanced physical and mental development and inculcates a desire for social service. The Government of India encourage this activity by assisting Bharat Scouts and Guides, and All India Boy Scouts Association in the shape of organisational and administrative grants and grant-in-aid for training camps, rallies, jamborees, etc. During
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the year, assistance to the extent of Rs. 4 lakhs has been given to Bharat Scouts and Guides for celebrating the International Year of the Child and holding Cub-Bulbul Utsav as well as for regional camps.
Promotion of National Integration This scheme promotes national integration by facilitating visits of youth living in border States to other States with a view to achieving a better understanding of the historical and cultural heritage in different parts of the country. Financial assistance is also given to voluntary agencies engaged in promoting national integration through camps, seminars, etc. During this year, four such organisations were assisted.
Commonwealth Youth Programme India's contribution to this programme has been raised from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 6 lakhs from the year 1979-80; half of this is payable in foreign exchange. India hosted two meetings during the year under report-the meeting of the Management Committee of the Commonwealth Youth Programme at Delhi and the Commonwealth Conference on Government National Youth Policy at Chandigarh.
United Nations Volunteers Programme This Ministry assists in the selection of personnel for the United Nations Volunteers Programme. During the year under review, 107 doctors were selected for Sri Lanka and a few other technical personnel for Bahrain, Losotho and Bangladesh. One hundred and twenty three Indian nationals are already working as UN Volunteers in developing countries.
International Exchange of Youth Delegations This scheme aims at strengthening the channel of communication among youth in different countries as well as in promoting international understanding and goodwill. Exchange on a reciprocal basis is normally confined to Cultural Exchange Programmes and other bilateral international agreements or Programmes of the United Nations, Commonwealth Secretariat, etc. During the year, a six-member youth delegation from Sri Lanka visited India.
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National Youth Board The National Youth Board (NYB) has been established with its following functions :
(a) to evaluate and appraise, from time to time, the existing youth programmes, including the scheme of Nehru Yuvak Kendras and the National Service Scheme;
(b) to advise regarding formulation of youth policy and programmes for its implementation;
(c) to provide a forum for coordination among various Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, between the Central and State Governments and between official and non-official agencies; and
(d) to advise on such matters as it may be called upon to do.
The Board held one meeting. It was decided in the meeting to set up two committees; one to undertake a review of the existing programmes and the other to prepare a National Youth Policy. The committees has, however, not yet been constituted.