Contribution to Unesco.

-India has been a member of Unesco since its inception and has played an important role in shaping its programme and policies with a view to promoting better understanding, cooperation and peace in the world. As a member of Unesco the Government of India are committed to pay such yearly contribution as the General Conference may decide from time to, time. A sum of Rs. 14,86,214 was paid to Unesco as the Government of India's contribution for 1956. A sum of Rs. 16 lakhs has been provided in the budget for 1957-58 for payment to Unesco as Government of India's contribution for the year 1957.

GRANTS To EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, RESEARCH, LITERARY AND ALL INDIA EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

An amount of Rs. 10,75,103 including a building grant of Rs. a lakhs to the Ramakrishna Mission, Institute of Culture, Calcutta has so far been granted to 14 organisations doing useful work in the field of Culture. Also, an amount of Rs. 7,93,685 has

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been sanctioned to different educational, research and literary or- ganisations of All-India importance, during 1956-57, and a loan of Rs. 2 lakhs has been paid to the Indian Council of World Affairs.

A provision of Rs. 10,38,600 has been made in the budget esti- mates for 1957-58 for grants-in-aid to the institutions. In addition a sum of Rs. 3,25,000 has also been provided for in the budget -estimates for 1957-58 for grants-in-aid to the Jamia Millia Islamia, New, Delhi.

Strengthening Existing Research Institutions.

-Out of a total Provision of Rs. 30 lakhs for the Plan period, a sum of Rs. 4 lakhs was provided for during 1956-57 for grants-in-aid for strengthening the existing institutions of Higher education and research. Such requests received from some institutions were placed before the meeting of the 'ad hoc' Indology Committee held on 30th October, 1956. The recommendations of the Committee are being examined by the Government of India.

A provision of Rs. 2,50,000 has been made during 1957-58.

Publication of Rare Manuscripts

-A sum of Rs. 50,000 was provided during 1956-57 for grants-in-aid to institutions for publication of Rare Manuscripts and for formulation of a scheme in this regard. A sum of Rs. 8,000 has so far been paid to the Sarwatha Siddhi Sangha, Bangalore for preparing the manuscripts "Siri Bhuvalaya" for printing. The general scheme is still under con- sideration of the 'ad hoc' Indology Committee.

A budget provision for Rs. 1,50,000 has been made during 1957-58.

Central Institute of Indology Research.

-The 'ad hoc' Indology Committee finalized the Scheme for the establishment of the Central Institute of Indological Research. The recommendations of the Committee are being examined by the Government of India. A budget provision of Rs. 25,000 has been made during 1957-58.

Revival and Propagation of Sanskrit.

-The Government of India have appointed a Sanskrit Commission in order to consider the question of the present state of Sanskrit education in all its aspects. The Commission is undertaking a survey of the existing facilities of Sanskrit education in universities and non-university institutions and will make proposals for Promoting the study of Sanskrit including Research. The Commission is expected to submit its Report by the end of July 1957.

A sum of Rs. 50,000 was provided for the purpose during 1956-57, against which a sum of Rs. 49,000 has been placed at the disposal

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of the Commission. A further sum of Rs. 10,000 has been sanctioned in March, 1957. A budget provision for Rs. 1,00,000 has been made for 1957-58.

Financial Assistance to Eminent Writers and Artists in Indigent Circumstances.

-To implement the decision of the Government of India to assist, by the award of suitable allowance and/or lump sum grant, persons distinguished in letters, art and such other walks of life who may be in indigent circumstances, a sum of Rs. 2,00,000 was provided for the year 1956-57. The same amount, has been proposed in the estimates for 1957-58.

Under the scheme 140 persons have so far been given assistance.

(Demand No. 22).

Scheme for Assistance to Regional Languages.

-A systematic study of the regional languages is a growing need in view of the increase in literacy and the replacement of English by these languages as a medium of education.

A sum of Rs. 1.50 lakhs has been proposed in the budget estimates for 1957-58. (Demand No. 21).

Reorganisation and Development of Museums.

-A Central Advisory Board of Museums has been established with a view to advising the Government on matters relating to the Reorganisation and Development of Museums in the country and to promote closer contacts between various museums and closer association of Government and the public with the activities of different museums in the country.

Expert Museums Survey Committee appointed by the Government of India last year submitted its report and the Board has approved with slight modifications the recommendations of the Committee. A provision of Rs. 20 lakhs has been included in the budget estimates for 1957-58 against a provision of Rs. 7 lakhs for the year 1956-57 for Reorganisation and Development of Museums.

(Demand No. 21).

National Gallery of Modern Art.

-A provision of Rs. 1,75,000 against the current year's provision of Rs. 1,28,000 has been included in the budget for 1957-58.

(Demand No. 21).

A provision of Rs. 1,00,000 for the Air Conditioning of the whole building of the Jaipur House where the National Gallery of Modern Art is accommodated has been proposed in the budget estimates for 1957-58.

(Demand No. 132).

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Indian War Memorial.

-A provision of Rs. 14,600 against the -current year's provision of Rs. 14,000 has been included in the budget for 1957-58. (Demand No. 22).

Acquisition of Art Objects.

-A provision of Rs. 4,00,000 has been made in the budget estimates for 1957-58 for the purchase of Art Objects and contributions to the National Art Treasures Fund. An equal provision exists in the current year's budget.

(Demand No. 22).

Sangeet Natak Akademi.

-A sum of Rs. 8,44,340 has been pro- vided for a grant to the Akademi in the budget estimates for 1957-58. (Demand No. 21).

Lalit Kala Akademi.

-A sum of Rs. 3:1 lakhs has been provided in the budget for 1957-58 for grants to the Akademi.

(Demand No. 21).

Sahitya Akademi.

-A sum of Rs. 4.66 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1957-58 for grants to the Akademi.

(Demand No. 21).

Building for the three National Akademis.

-A plot of land measuring three acres facing Queen Victoria Road has been selected for the building of the three National Akademis. A provision of Rs. 9 lakhs has been included in the budget estimates for 1957-58.

(Demand No. 21).

Building for the National Theatre.

-It is proposed to establish a well-equipped National Theatre at Delhi. The report of the architects who were sent abroad to study the Theatre and Opera Houses in some of the Western countries has been accepted as the basis of the construction of the National Theatre. An architect-in-charge of the National Theatre has been appointed in the C.P.W.D. to draw the designs.

A sum of Rs. 50,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1957-58.

(Demand No. 132).

Indian Museum, Calcutta.

-A provision of Rs. 1,38,900 has been made in the budget estimates for 1957-58 as compared to that of Rs. 1,30,660 made during the year 1956-57. (Demand No. 20).

A provision of Rs. 16.300 has been made in the budget estimates for 1957-58 for payment of Municipal taxes for the Indian Museum Calcutta. (Demand No. 22).

Victoria Memorial Hall.

-A provision of Rs. 2,20,723 has been made in the budget estimates for 1957-58 against a provision of Rs. 1,93,800 made during 1956-57.

(Demand No. 22).

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Bal Bhavan.

-A provision of Rs. 8,00,000 has been suggested for 1957-58 against a budget provision of Rs. 5,00,000 for 1956-57. (Demand No. 21).

Development of Cultural Activities Abroad.

-During the year under review (1956-57), a sum of Rs. 15,00,000 was provided for development of cultural activities other than delegations and Rs. 10,00,000 for sending and inviting delegations from abroad.

(Demand No. 21).

While discussing the Cultural Programme for the year, it was found that the demands for Delegations were heavy and accordingly proposals both for delegations and development of cultural activities were considered together and funds were sanctioned according to demand and requirements from the lump provision. The following activities were undertaken in the field of Development of Cultural Activities: -

1. Presentation of books and library sets, radio sets and children's equipment to institutions and libraries abroad.

2. Subsidising the Persian Version of the Autobiography of the Prime Minister of India by purchasing 500 copies.

3. Participation in international congresses and conferences.

4. Teaching of Hindi to African students who are in India.

5. Recruitment of Indian teachers for service abroad.

6. Promotion of education abroad..

7. Sending Cultural Lecturers abroad.

8. Providing study facilities for a monk from Laos.

9. Meeting freight charges on CARE gift books.

10. Grants to Cultural and Educational Societies abroad.

11. Promotion of Hindi abroad.

12. Refund of Customs duty to the United States Educational Foundation in India under the Fulbright Agreement.

13. Financial assistance to Madanjeet Singh for printing 'Indian Sculpture in Bronze and Stone'.

14. Education of Sikkimese and Bhutanese Students in India.

15. Exchange of Scholars with China and Poland.

16. Visit of distinguished foreigners to India.

17. Organisation and participation in International Art Exhibitions and exhibitions of books etc.

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18. Establishment of Library-cum-Research Institute in Gangtok (Part instalment of assistance paid).

19. Organising Essay contests abroad.

20. Subsidising to Scholarships Fund in British West Indies.

21. Establishment of a Library in Teheran.

22. Promotion of pen friends.

23. Acquisition of Art objects.

24. Sending poets to Nepal.

For the next year, a sum of Rs. 13,20,000 has been provided for the development of cultural activities. The following activities. are generally envisaged for implementation in the next financial year: -

1. Financial Assistance to Cultural and Educational Institutions abroad.

2. Participation in International Conferences and Congresses.

3. Subsidising the Arabic or Persian versions of Modern Indian works.

4. Sending Cultural Lecturers abroad.

5. Presentation of books and library sets to Libraries and Institutions abroad.

6. Establishment of Libraries abroad.

7. Sending Indian students abroad on study tours.

8. Equipping Indian Mission Libraries abroad.

9. Promotion of Hindi Studies abroad.

10. Sending visiting Professors to Africa etc.

11. Inviting distinguished foreigners to India.

12. Exchange of Scholars with foreign countries.

13. Exchange of Painters with Bulgaria, China.

14. Exchange of Professors with foreign countries.

15. Education of Bhutanese and Sikkimese students in India.

16. Establishment of a Cultural Centre in the U.K.

17. Training of teachers from British West Indies.

18. Presentation of a Bust of Mahatma Gandhi to Rio de Janerio.

19. Presentation of Radio sets to Sikkim and Bhutan.

20. Cultural visits of Indian scholars, musicians, poets etc. abroad.

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21. Participation and Organisation of Indian Art Exhibition abroad and foreign Exhibitions to India.

22. Grant of scholarships to students from Laos.

23. Establishment of Chairs of Indian Studies in Australia, Malaya and Africa.

24. Recruitment of teachers for service abroad.

Cultural Delegations to and from Foreign Countries.

-During the current financial year, a budget provision of Rs. 10,00,000 was made for the visit of cultural delegations. The following activities were undertaken during the year:-

1. Indian Cultural Delegation to South-East Asia.

2. Indian Cultural Delegation to East Europe and the U.S.S.R.

3. Visit of Nepalese Students' Delegation to India.

4. Visit of Nepalese Political Leaders to India.

5. Visit of Afghan Hockey Team to India.

6. Sending an Indian Sports Team to Afghanistan.

7. Sending an Educationists Delegation to the U.S.S.R.

8. Visit of Russian Circus to India.

9. Visit of Chinese Women's Delegation to India.

10. Visit of Czechoslovak Cultural Delegation to India.

11. Sending a Little Ballet Troupe to Nepal.

12. Performance by Shrimati Sundari Shridharani in New York.

13. Delegation of two writers to China.

14. Sending a student delegate to "New York" Herald Tribune" Forum.

15. Visit of Nepalese Writers' Delegation to India.

16. Inviting a Student-Teacher Delegation from Sikkim.

17. Visit of Shrimati Mrinalini Sarabhai to Japan.

18. Sending Shrimati Kamala Lakshman to China.

19. Visit of a Bahuroopee Troupe to Dacca.

For the next financial year, the Ministry of Finance have agreed for a provision of Rs. 21,80,000 for sending and inviting cultural delegations to and from abroad. The main proposals under con sideration at present are:-

1. Visit of a Student-Teacher Delegation to West Asia.

2. Inviting a Student-Teacher Delegation from West Asia.

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3. Cultural Delegation to West Asian countries.

4. Exchange of Sports Teams with Afghanistan.

5. Visit of Good-will Delegations from East, Central and West Africa.

6. Cultural Delegation to African Territories.

7. Sending a Sports Team to Kenya.

8. Sending an Indian Cultural Delegation to the Scandinavian countries.

9. Inviting a Folk Lore and Dance Group from Czechoslovakia.

10. Participation in International Fairs in Damascus and Italy.

11. Visit to India of a Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble.

12. Visit to India of a Rumanian Orchestra and Dancing Group.

13. Inviting a Student-Teacher Delegation from Bhutan and Sikkim.

14. Inviting a Student Delegation from China.

15. Sending Services Football and Volleyball teams to China.

16. Inviting a Film Delegation from China.

17. Inviting a Student Party from Nepal for participation in Indian Universities Youth Festival.

18. Inviting young Political Leaders from Nepal.

19. Sending an Indian Cultural Delegation to Latin American countries.

20. Visit to India of Madam Pearl Primus and her troupe.

21. Sending an Indian Dance and Music Troupe to Ceylon.

22. Inviting a Guest Delegation from Fiji.

23. Inviting a Cultural Delegation from Indo-China.

24. Inviting a Troupe of Thai Dancers to India.

25. Inviting a Delegation from 'Indonesia.

26. Inviting a Delegation of Prominent Persons from the Philippines.

27. Sending a Film Delegation to Singapore.