YOUTH WELFARE AND PHYSICAL
 EDUCATION

During the year 1956-57 an amount of Rs. 10 lakhs was allotted for youth welfare work out of a total provision of Rs. 100 lakhs in the Second Plan period. The following items of work were included in the programme of work:-

1. Youth Leadership Camps, Dramatic Camps, Seminars etc.

2. Youth Tours and Hikes.

3. Youth Hostels.

4. Youth Festival.

(a) Inter-University Youth Festival.

(b) Inter-Collegiate Youth Festival.

5. Survey of living conditions of students.

6. Youth Welfare Boards and Committees.

7. Non-student youths clubs and centres.

8. Publications.

9. National Youth Centre.

10. Workshops and hobby centres.

Youth Leadership Training Camps and Dramatic Camps.

-The idea of Youth Leadership Training Camps is to impart short-term training in youth welfare work to select teachers of colleges and universities to help them to promote various co-curricular activities in their institutions in an organised manner.

The first camp of its kind in the country was conducted at Srinagar in 1953. This was followed by five more camps held at Mahabaleshwar, Ranikhet, Lovedale (Ooty), Darjeeling and Hyderabad. In order to give individual attention to the trainees and to enable them to share their experiences more intimately with one another, the number of trainees in a camp is limited as a matter of policy to about 25. The programme in the camps includes lectures and discussions by experts on different subjects on youth welfare such as youth leadership, youth counselling and guidance, mental health and human relations' organisations of various co-curricular activities etc. Group projects, hiking, excursions and other recreational activities form some of the other important features of the camp programme.

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More camps of this type are necessary so that each institution may have at least one trained person in youth welfare work. It has, therefore, been decided that besides the Ministry's camps, the uni- versities may also conduct camps like this for which the Ministry will be agreeable to meet up to 75 per cent of the expenditure subject to the maximum of Rs. 3,000 for a project. In 1955-56, a grant of Rs. 3,000 was sanctioned to (1) University of the Jammu and Kashmir and (2) to the former Pepsu State Government for such programmes.

Similarly dramatic training camps are organised in which short- term training is imparted in the technical aspect of staging plays in educational institutions. Two such camps at Andretta (Kangra) and Sabathu (Simla Hills) have so far been conducted. It is proposed to conduct another dramatic training camp before the end of the current financial year.

Youth Tours and Hikes

.-Tours to places of historic, scenic and cultural interest and to places where big national projects are being undertaken, serve a recognised educational purpose. They equally serve the important purpose of building up morale. A visit to the projects of national utility will fill Indian youth with pride at the immense achievement made by their countrymen and give them new hopes and inspiration for high endeavour. The financial assistance for this purpose is rendered to small batches of students going on tour to the extent of 75 per cent of the railway fare at students' concession rates. The application must be submitted through the Vice- Chancellor of a University or the Education Secretary of the State Government concerned. During the current financial year, a total grant of about Rs. 1.5 lakhs has been given to nearly 200 different institutions in the country.

Youth Hostels

.-Youth Hostels are essential for any scheme of tours and hikes. They provide board and lodging facilities for youth.

The Youth Hostels Association of India is mainly concerned with this activity and according to the information furnished by them, nearly 100 youth hostels have been set up by them in the country. This association receives financial assistance from the Government of India from time to time. During 1956-57, the Association was granted an amount of Rs. 10,000.

The Government of India are anxious to set up a network of youth hostels in the country with the cooperation of the State Governments. A beginning has been made in this direction and a total amount of Rs. 39,696 has been sanctioned to the Himachal Pradesh Government for the construction of three youth hostels. The Government of India have also acquired a building at Dalhousie costing Rs. 20,000 to serve as a youth hostel.

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Youth Festival.

-The Inter-University Youth Festival conducted in 1954 was the first of its kind in the country. As a part of the youth welfare programme of the Government of India, the festival served its purpose well in satisfying the cultural and emotional needs of youth. Owing to its popularity among youth, the event was made an annual feature of the programme of work, and the Third Annual Youth Festival was organised in October, 1956. The main items of competitions in the programme were:

1. Arts and Crafts.

2. Drama (One Act Play).

3. Classical dance.

4. Vocal, classical music.

5. Instrumental music.

6. Radio Play.

7. Hindi elocution.

8. Group dance.

9. Group singing.

The competitions were open only to bonafide students of Uni- versities or their constituent colleges within the age limits of 15 to 24 years.

A total amount of Rs. 2.5 lakhs was sanctioned for this event and it is hoped that the entire expenditure will be met within this amount. Except the Universities of Roorkee and Madras all the universities in the country sent contingents to take part in various programmes. The total strength of the participants in the third Festival was 1441.

Immediately after the first Festival, it was suggested to the universities to hold inter-collegiate youth festivals for the selection of their University contingents for the Inter-University event. During 1956-57, the universities were informed that the Government of India would be willing to consider their requests for financial assistance to meet 50 per cent of the expenditure up to a maximum of Rs. 5,000 for an Inter-collegiate youth festival. An adequate provision of Rs. 95,000 was made for this purpose, out of which nearly Rs. 40,000 was sanctioned to 11 universities in the country.

Survey of Living Conditions of Students.

-In order to have an authentic record of the living conditions of students in this country, it is proposed to conduct an all-India survey of these conditions. A fairly comprehensive questionnaire for this purpose has been prepared comprising nearly 80 questions with a view to conducting a pilot survey in a selected area for the present.

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Youth Welfare Boards and Committees.

-It has been suggested to the universities and the State Governments to set up Youth Welfare Boards and Committees. The object of these Boards and Committees is to initiate and implement a comprehensive programme for Youth Welfare by giving youth an ample share of control and direction with a view to interesting them in schemes of self-improvement. A number of Universities and State Governments have actually started implementing the scheme. The question of giving financial assistance to this project is under consideration.

Non-student Clubs and Centres.

-In order to cater to the needs of non-student youth, it is proposed to set up non-student youth clubs and centres. The State Governments have been requested to formulate specific proposals in this behalf.

Publications.

-It has been decided to bring out a Quarterly Journal on Youth Welfare, Physical Education and Sports. Its inaugural number is expected to be out shortly.

National Youth Centres.

-It is proposed to set up a National Youth Centre at Delhi for which a provision of Rs. 12.5 lakhs has been made in the Second Plan Period. This centre will consist of the main office building with amenities like a swimming pool and open- air theatre and other recreational facilities. Steps are being taken to acquire suitable land for this purpose.

Workshops and Hobby Centres.

-It has been felt that the workshops in universities will not only encourage manual work among students, but will also provide them with the means to supplement their resources. The State Governments have been requested to make suggestions in this regard.

The entire programme of Youth Welfare work has not been implemented yet. It is vast in extent and immensely more varied than anything that has been attempted so far. A beginning has. been made in the right direction and it is hoped that during the next financial year such items of work, which have not been put into. operation during the current financial year, will be implemented.

Sports.

-With a view to raising the standard of sports within the country, the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research have, on the recommendations of the All-India Council of Sports, conducted Coaching Camps in cooperation with the Sports Federations. In 1956-57 the Ministry conducted coaching camps in Basketball,, Badminton, Swimming, Volleyball, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Athletics, Cricket, Hockey, Kabaddi and Football in which 271 teachers and instructors from schools and colleges participated.

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The coaches of Gujrat University trained in the Ministry's coach- ing camps had further organised training camps for the benefit of University teachers and Athletes. The Government sanctioned a grant of 50 per cent on the expenditure incurred. A grant was also made to Sports Federation and Indian Olympic Association to the tune of Rs. 4- 8 lakhs to enable them to hold coaching camps, purchase equipment and material of sports and send teams abroad to participate in the International Meets.

The Government have published two Model Constitutions, one for the Sports Federations and the other for the State Councils of Sports. There are also schemes for the construction of stadia and sportsmen guest-houses for improving sports amenities. The Government has under consideration a proposal for appointing paid secretaries whose services will be lent to the Sports Federations and State Councils of Sports, so that sports may be placed on a sound footing.

A sum of Rs. 45,000 has been sanctioned to the Government of Mysore for the construction of a Sportsmen's Guest House at Mysore.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The two following schemes of the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research for the development of Physical education under the Second Five-Year Plan have been finally approved by the Planning Commission with a total allocation of Rs. 120 lakhs as ,detailed below:-

1. Establishment of the National College of Physical Education-Rs. 70 lakhs.

2. Grants to physical Education Institutions and Organisations for the promotion of Physical Education as well as research activities.-Rs. 50 lakhs.

Scheme No. 1

-Scheme No. 1 envisages the setting up of a National College of Physical Education to provide training facilities for a three-year Degree course in Physical education and also facilities for research work. At present there is no institution of this kind in the country. There are only about 20 Physical education training institutions in the country conducting one-year diploma and/or certificate course in Physical education. The proposed college is expected to fulfil the demand of colleges, universities, State Governments and Physical education institutions in the country in regard to personnel, courses of studies, etc.

The College of Physical Education, named after Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, is to be set up at Gwalior, where a suitable site for the

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purpose has been selected. For purposes of administration and control of the College, an autonomous Board of Governors has been set up and this Board will make rules and regulations subject to the approval of the Government of India for the conduct of its business pertaining to College affairs.

The College is expected to start functioning from July, 1957, in a rented accommodation pending the construction of its own building. Shri P. M. Joseph, Principal of the Government Training College of Physical Education, Bombay, has been appointed Principal of the College and he has since resumed his duties.

A sum of Rs. 10,000 has been sanctioned to the Treasurer of the Board of Governors, to meet the expenses of the establishment of the College.

Scheme No. 2.

-For the utilisation of the provision of Rs. 50 lakhs available under Scheme No. 2 the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation has drawn up a plan for the development of Physical education in the country during the Second Five-Year Plan and this has been generally accepted by the Government of India. It is a nine-point scheme and the main proposals are as follows:-

(i) Strengthening of Institutions and Colleges of Physical Edu- cation and Recreation.-To help improve the quality and facilities of the Physical Education Colleges the Board has recommended payment of a grant of a non-recurring nature for developmental purposes such as construction of classrooms, gymnasia, libraries, swimming pools, purchasing of books, apparatus, and athletic equipment etc. The practising schools have also been included so that the Physical Edu- cation Colleges may have well equipped practising institutions for the benefit of its students.

(ii) Implementation of Syllabus.-The Board has prepared syllabuses for boys and girls separately from Primary to Higher Secondary schools, a copy of these together with the National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation, prepared by the Board has already been sent to all the State Governments for information and guidance. The Ministry is now engaged in collecting material for the Handbooks on Physical Education Syllabuses, for which the State Governments have been requested to supply material, specially in the field of games and sports, which are of local interest but which with modification can be introduced in other parts of the country as well. Since the country is composed of a varied culture and is rich in games and recreational activities, it is anticipated that much material will be received from all the State Governments in this regard so that the Handbook may prove to be of a comprehensive character.

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(iii) Research.-Progress in educational as in other fields depends upon the quality and extent of research. In order to encourage physical educationists to conduct research, the Board has recommended an offer of research fellowships. These would, however, be given at the proper time and when competent scholars are available for higher studies.

(iv) National Physical Efficiency Tests.-The tests are proposed to be conducted on an all-India basis' It has been decided that stars will be given to those who are successful in the tests. There will be "3-Stars", "2 Stars" and "I Star" according to the efficiency of the candidates appearing for the tests.

(v) Seminars.-Since Physical education is undergoing changes both in content and methods it is suggested that Physical edu- cationists should meet together occasionally and exchange views and ideas and share experiences. For this purpose a number of All-India, Seminars and State Seminars will be conducted. All-India Seminars will be organised by the Government of India and as a follow-up the State Governments, separately or jointly, may conduct State Seminars.

(vi) Visiting Fellowships.-Visiting fellowships for not more than one year only will be given to members of the staff of the Physical education training institutions to enable them to visit sister institutions in the country.

(vii) Scholarships.-Not more than 'four scholarships will be awarded annually to well-equipped teachers in Physical education for higher studies in Physical education abroad.

(viii) Grants to 'Vyayamshalas'.-It is proposed that indigenous institutions will also come under the Scheme of Physical Education and Recreation.

(ix) Other measures for Promoting Physical Education and Re- creation.-These will include propaganda and publicity and holding of Natural Education Weeks or Days. National Festivals etc. will also be included under this Scheme.

Grants.

-Grants of Rs. 68,429 and Rs. 18,000 have been sanctioned to the K.S.M.Y.M. Samiti, Lonavala, for the purchase of laboratory equipment for Yogic Research and for conducting Research in Yogic Studies respectively during 1956-57.

The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation.- The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation set up by the Government of India in 1948, has prepared a 'National Plan of Physical Education', an authoritative and exhaustive thesis of Physical education in the country. Besides, it has

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worked out syllabuses of Physical education for boys and girls of Primary and Secondary schools. The Board has also prepared 'Norms of Physical Fitness' for boys and girls.

A sum of Rs. 3,000 has been sanctioned to the President Gujarat Research Society,, Bombay, for a survey of weights of children during 1956-57.

Bharat Scouts and Guides.

-In order to help expand the activities of this Organisation the Government of India have given grants to the tune of Rs. 1, 53,500 during the year 1956-57. This figure includes a part-payment towards the construction of a Bajpat Hall near Humayun Tomb, New Delhi, and a grant of Rs. 25,000 for the second All-India Jamboree at Jaipur. Bharat Scouts and Guides have sent a guide to the U.S.A. to participate in the International Girl Scouts and Guides as visitor-observer for 1956.

A permanent training centre for the training. of scoutmaster and others is being established by the National Headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides at Panchmarhi. A request made to the Government of India for financial assistance is receiving attention.