CULTURAL AND INTERNATIONAL
 ACTIVITIES

BUDDHA JAYANTI

The Year 1956 marked the 2500th anniversary of the Buddha's. Parinirvana and the Government of India decided to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner. A working Committee was set up, with the Prime Minister as Honorary Chairman and the Vice-President as Chairman. The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh,, Bihar, Bhopal and Assam, the Deputy Minister, Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Maharajkumar of Sikkim acted as Members.

In accordance with the Programme drawn up by the Working, Committee, the Prime Minister laid on May 23, 1956 the foundation stone of the Commemorative Monument which is to be built at Delhi at a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs. A Public Meeting at which the President was in the Chair and which was addressed by Heads of the Buddhist. Missions in India and the Prime Minister, was held on May, 24, 1956.

The decision of the Working Committee was that the main,. cultural celebrations should be held in the winter months so as to, coincide with the Ninth General Session of the Unesco Conference. Important amongst these, were an Exhibition of Buddhist Art and. a symposium on Buddhism's Contribution to Art, Letters and Philosophy.

The Exhibition opened at New Delhi on 10th November, 1956 and consisted of important works of Buddhist art not only from India, but also from a large number of foreign countries. After closing, at Delhi, the Exhibition was taken round to Varanasi, Patna and; Calcutta. Madras and Bombay were also on the itinerary.

The Buddha Jayanti Week commenced on November 24, 1956 with a Public Meeting at which the President of India presided and where representatives of various foreign countries spoke. On: November 26, 1956, the Prime Minister inaugurated a four-day symposium on "Buddhism's Contribution to Art, Letters and, Philosphy" in which 71 scholars from 24 foreign countries, 17 Indian scholars and three Unesco representatives invited as guests of the Government of India, participated.

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On completion of the programme at Delhi, that included dance and drama items contributed by members of the Vishva Bharati, the Hima Kala Kendra and Shri Uday Shankar's troupe, and film shows including the film on "Gautama the Buddha", specially made for the occasion. The guests were taken in special train on a tour of the main sites connected with the life of the Buddha. The tour terminated at Calcutta on December 11, 1956 where the guests dispersed.

To cover the cost of the Celebrations a total sum of Rs. 15 lakhs -was sanctioned in the Budget Provision for the year 1956-57. A provision of Rs. 11 lakhs has been made in the budget for 1957-58 for the monument and for the freight on return of art objects lent by foreign countries for the Exhibition,

(Demand No. 21).

INDIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO

(Demand No. 22).

Ninth Session of the General Conference of Unesco.

-The Ninth session of the General Conference of Unesco was held at New Delhi in Vigyan Bhavan (Conference Hall) from 5th November, 1956 to 5th December, 1956. It was opened by H. E. Dr. Justino Zavala Muniz and addressed by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Education and Scientific Research and the Director-General, Unesco. On the afternoon of 5th November, 1956, a function was arranged at the National Stadium to welcome the delegates to the Ninth Session of the General Conference. The Conference adopted a resolution on the Vote of Thanks to the host country and on this occasion the Education Secretary spoke on behalf of the Government of India.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Minister for Education and Scientific Research, who was the Leader of the Indian Delegation to the Conference, was elected President of the Conference. Among other things, the Conference approved the draft Programme and Budget of Unesco for 1957-58 including the three Major Projects, viz: (i) Extension of Primary Education in Latin America (ii) Scientific Research on Arid Lands and (iii) Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values. It also approved an increase of one million dollars in the Budget of the Organisation for 1957-58, over and above that proposed by the Director-General and the Executive Board. The Conference further decided to admit Morocco and Tunisia to the membership and Nigeria to the associate membership of the Organisation, thus raising the total membership of Unesco to 79 and associate membership to five. It also approved an amendment to the Constitution of Unesco increasing total

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Membership of the Executive Board from 22 to 24. From India, Dr. Zakir Husain was elected to the Executive Board.

As host country, the Government of India provided premises, hotel accommodation and a number of services such as Transport,. Travel, Tourism, Post, Telegraph and Telephones, Bank, Medical Aid, Security, Protocol Reception, Stationery and Office equipment. A comprehensive Programme of dance, drama, music and films was, also arranged in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with a view to acquainting the participants in the Conference with different aspects, of Indian life and culture. A number of exhibitions were also, organised. The Educational, Scientific and Cultural Exhibitions,that were organised at the Industries Fair site, were opened by the Vice-President. Besides, the Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art arranged by the All-India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, the Unesco Exhibition of Reproductions of Persian Miniatures and the, Exhibition of paintings by late Sass Brunner, Elizabeth Brunner and Nicolai Michontonch were also organised on the occasion. During the Conference a number of receptions were organised in honour of the delegates, including receptions by the President, the Vice-President, the Minister for Education and Scientific Research at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Delhi University and a Civic Reception at the Red Fort. (All the arrangements for the Conference were made by the Indian Liaison Office set up by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research in collaboration with the various Ministries of the Government of India).

Indian Delegation to the Ninth Session of the General Conference of Unesco.

-The Indian Delegation to the Ninth Session of the.General Conference consisted of the following:-

Delegates:

(1) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad-Leader.

(2) Dr. A. L. Mudaliar-Deputy Leader.

(3) Dr. Zakir Husain

(4) Shri K. G. Saiyidain

(5) Prof. M. S. Thacker

Alternates:

(6) Prof. Humayun Kabir

(7) Dr. K. S. Krishnan

(8) Smt. Hansa Mehta

(9) Prof. C. N. Vakil

(10) Shri Chalapathi Rao

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Advisers:

(11) Smt. Rukmini Devi

(12) Madame Sophia Wadia

(13) Shri Rustom Masani

(14) Prof. D. C. Sharma

(15) Rev. Father Jerome D'Souza.

(16) Prof. M. S. Sundaram

(17) Dr. N. S. Junankar

(18) Dr. S. Gopal

(19) Shri P. K. Banerjee

(20) Shri B. V. Baliga

EDUCATION

The Ministry of Education and Scientific Research and the Indian National Commission for Unesco continued to supply Unesco with such information and literature as the Organisation needed from time to time. The Government also cooperated in Unesco's programme of Educational and Cultural Missions and participated in the various Conferences organised by Unesco or other Member States in collaboration with the Unesco.

Unesco Consultative Committee of Experts on Adult Education

. At the invitation of Unesco, Shri Sohan Singh, Assistant Educational Adviser to the Government of India, Ministry of Education, partici- pated in the meeting of the Consultative Committee of Experts on Adult Education at Unesco Headquarters, Paris from 19th to 23rd March, 1956. This Committee discussed Unesco's programme for 1957-58 concerning Adult Education.

Unesco Meeting of Experts on Production of Reading Material for Neo-Literates.

-A meeting of experts was organised by Unesco in Pakistan in June 1956 as a part of Unesco's project on the production of reading material for neo-literates. Besides India, experts from Burma, Ceylon and Pakistan attended the meeting.

Unesco Youth Travel Grants-1956.

-Unesco awarded a Travel Grant to the Service Civil International, France, to finance the travel of a young national of India to attend a Leaders' Training Course organised abroad by the Service Civil International in June, 1958. This grant was given to the nominee of the Indian Branch of the Service Civil International, with the approval of the Indian National Commission.

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Education for International Understanding.

-The Government of India and the Indian National Commission cooperated with Unesco in implementing their programme of popularising the objectives and purposes of the United Nations and its Specialised Agencies. As in previous years the United Nations Day and the Human Rights Day were celebrated in educational institutions and by the public in general.

The Government of India has been participating in Unesco's programme of Coordinated Experimental Activities in Schools which is designed to encourage the teachings of the aims and objectives of the United Nations and its Specialised Agencies. Eight Indian schools are participating in this Project at present. A meeting of the heads of the participating schools was held in December,'1955, and a programme has been drawn up for implementing the project in these schools. It is proposed to hold further meetings of the heads of the schools during 1957-58, to review the progress made and devise further measures for implementing the project.

The offer of one fellowship from Unesco to an Indian National to carry out study abroad in the field of Education for International Understanding and Cooperation for a period of three months was accepted by the Government of India and the Indian National Commission.

SCIENCE

Humid Tropical Zone Research

-An International Symposium on the study of Tropical Vegetation and a preparatory meeting of Specialists in Humid Tropics Research were convened by Unesco in Kandy (Ceylon) in March, 1956. Six eminent scientists from India participated in the meetings.

Marine Sciences

-Unesco intended to constitute an international panel in the field of Marine Sciences consisting of experts designated by the National Commissions of the Member States. At the request of Unesco, names of ten experts from India for the panel, each expert representing a particular branch of Marine Science, were communicated to Unesco in consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Unesco Research Centre for Southern Asia on Social Implications of Industrialisation

-Unesco accepted the request of the Government of India to locate the Research Centre on the Social Implications of Industrialisation for Southern Asia in India and the Centre has started functioning at Calcutta since January, 1956. The

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Government of India have already signed an agreement with Unesco for providing their share of contribution and other facilities for the Centre. The Government of India are required to contribute an amount not exceeding $35,000 (Rupees 1,66,000 approximately) annually for three years towards the estimated cost of the Centre. The annual contributions for 1956 and 1957 have been paid to the Centre. Provision for the payment of the third contribution has been made in the budget for 1957-1958.

CULTURE

Translation of Indian Classics into Western European Languages

-The Indian National Commission has been participating in Unesco's project of Translation of Indian Classics into European Languages since 1953, and a number of Classics were recommended to Unesco for translation into European languages. Some of, the classics have already been translated into the European languages. Work relating to the translation of other classics is now in progress. The project is a joint Unesco-India enterprise and is financed from a joint fund to which the Government of India have so far contributed Rs. 60,000 including the contribution of Rs. 15,000 made for the year under report.

Treatment of Asian Culture in Western Textbooks.

-Unesco organised a meeting of Experts in Paris in May, 1956, for the purpose of comparing and analysing the findings of the reports-from Western countries concerning the treatment of Asia in their text books and to examine ways in which text books and teaching materials can be improved so as to promote a better understanding of Asian Culture. From India Prof. M. Mujeeb participated in the meeting.

Promoting Unesco Activities in Asia.

-The Japanese National Commission for Unesco organised a Regional Conference of the Representatives of National Commissions for Unesco in Asia at Tokyo in February-March, 1956 to discuss measures for closer cooperation among the Unesco National Commissions in Asia for the promotion of Unesco activities in the Region. The Indian National Commission was represented by Prof. Humayun Kabir and Dr. N. S. Junankar at this Conference.

Unesco Travelling Exhibitions.

-Unesco Travelling Exhibition of Japanese Art Woodcuts completed its display in India and was sent back to Unesco, Paris. Two other exhibitions, namely, "Unesco Travelling Exhibition of Reproductions of Persian Miniatures" and "Unesco Reference Libraries of Visual Aids for Fundamental Education" were also displayed at New Delhi during the Ninth Session of the General Conference of Unesco. These are now being circulated in other places.

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Grants for Regional Cultural Studies in Universities.

-The Government of India is participating in the Unesco scheme for Regional Cultural Studies in universities. The Scheme has been designed to enable University specialists in such fields as language,. literary or cultural history, geography, economics and social problems etc. to use their special knowledge in order to orientate themselves in the broader problems of the cultural and social life of the region or country visited.

Campaign for Museums.

-The Government of India participated in the International Campaign for Museums organised by Unesco, with a view to emphasising the importance of their role in the life of the national community and in promoting international understanding.

Seminar on the Role of Arts and Crafts.

-The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco organised a National, Seminar on the Role of Arts and Crafts in Education and Community Development at Kalakshetra, Adyar, Madras, from 7th to 12th March, 1957. Representatives of the State Government, Ministry of Community Development, All-India Handi-crafts Board, Lalit Kala Akademi etc.

participated in the Seminar which was inaugurated by the Governor of Madras. The Seminar made a number of important recommendations.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Unesco Coupons Scheme

-The Government of India continued to participate in the Unesco Coupon Scheme which enables the participating universities and other educational and scientific insti- tutions and organisations in the country to obtain their requirements of books, scientific material and equipment etc. by making payment in the national currency and free of import restrictions. Coupons worth $2,97,451.28 for books, $4,48,848.16 for scientific material and $43,303.37 for films were sold for the period ending March 1957.

Translation of Unesco Literature

-The Indian National Commission have completed the translation of three Unesco publications into Hindi with financial assistance from Unesco. They have also completed the translation of additional Unesco books into Hindi for which assistance from Unesco has been received. It is proposed to continue the work of translation of Unesco publications into Indian languages during 1957-58.

Expanded Technical Assistance Programme.

-The Government of India continued their participation in the Expanded Programme

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of Technical Assistance during the year under report. In connection with the establishment of the Western Higher Technological Institute in Bombay, Unesco agreed to provide, from the funds. placed at their disposal by the U.S.S.R. Government, the services of 15 Russian Experts and three Translators, 20 fellowships and equipment worth Rs. 67.5 lakhs, during 1956-58.

Technical Assistance under Normal Aid Programme.

-Since 1955, Unesco has started giving technical aid to Member States by way of services of experts, fellowships and equipment, under its. Normal Programme. During 1956-57, assistance was received from Unesco for the Central Bureau of Textbook Research and Science Museum in the National Physical Laboratory.

CONFERENCES ABROAD

Besides the Conferences and Seminars already mentioned, the Government of India participated in the Regional Seminar on the. Improvement of Primary School Curriculum at Karachi, Unesco Meeting of Experts on Film and Television at Paris, 19th International Conference on Public Education at Geneva, Regional Meeting of Experts on Exchange of Persons at Tokyo and Study Conference on Science Teaching at Bangkok. The 20th International Conference on Public Education will be held in July, 1957. It is proposed to participate in this Conference as well as other important seminars and conferences which may be organised by Unesco during: 1957-58.