 SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENTS AND
 SURVEYS

Scientific research is of crucial importance to the development of any nation. It is more so in the case of a developing country like, India since increased productivity and better standards of living are closely linked with the application of science and technology. The Union Ministry of Education continued its programme of financial and other assistance to research institutions, laboratories, scientific societies, individuals and States. The Survey of India and the three other Scientific Surveys-Botanical, Zoological and Anthropological--continued and developed their respective programmes.

A. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

2. Encouragement to Scientific Societies/Associations and Research Institutes.-With a view to encouraging scientific research, the Union Ministry of Education continued to give grants to a number of private scientific research institutions, associations, scientific academies and societies for the maintenance and advancement of their work. The grants are paid to the scientific bodies for expanding and enlarging their activities for active research work, publishing scientific journals and literature, holding conferences, symposia and seminars and instituting research fellowships, establishing laboratories and purchasing equipment, furniture and library books. Grants are also given for mountaineering expeditions.

3. National Committees.-The National Committees for the International Council of Scientific Unions and the following disciplines of Science continued to function : Pure and Applied Physics; Radio Sciences; Geodesy and Geophysics; International Quiet Sun Year; Oceanic Research; Biochemistry; Crystallography; History of Sciences; Geography; International Hydrological Decade; Biological Sciences; and Pure and Applied Chemistry. The scope and functions of National Committees, generally speaking, are to plan, execute, coordinate and promote activities and establish liaison with inter- national bodies in their respective fields.

4. National Research Professors.-Dr. C. V. Raman, Prof. S. N. Bose, Dr. R. B. Pal, Dr. P. V. Kane, Dr. D. N. Wadia, Dr. V. R. Khanolkar and Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterjee continued to be National Research Professors. Dr. S. R. Ranganathan was appointed National Research Professor in Library Science.

5. Encouragement to Research Scholars and Eminent Scientists

5.1. Research Scholarships.-Twenty-two training research scholarships to the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Calcutta, 10 to Bose Institute, Calcutta, and 6 to Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany,

Lucknow, continued to be allotted to enable research scholars to conduct research during the. year at the respective institutions.

5.2. Partial Financial Assistance to Eminent Scientists going Abroad.Financial assistance varying from Rs. 1,500 to 2,500 each was given to 21 Indian scientists to enable them to participate in International conferences etc.

6. Indian Scientific Liaison Cell, High Commission for India, London.The Scientific Liaison Cell continued to function in the Education Department of the High Commission for India in London under the Educational and Scientific Adviser. The functions of the Cell are : (i) to facilitate the movement of scientists within the Commonwealth and to provide adequate facilities for them and their work and to arrange contacts for them; (ii) to keep abreast of the latest improvements in techniques and scientific and technical developments, and make this information available in India; and (iii) to facilitate exchange of scientific information and experimental material.

7. National Research Development Corporation of India.-The objects and functions of the Corporation are to develop and exploit in the public interest for profit or otherwise : (a) all inventions of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research whether patentable or not; (b) all patents and inventions of other departments of the Government of India including those of commodity research committees and other statutory research organisations including technical and engineering know-bow of processes; (c) such other patents as may be voluntarily assigned, by general or special agreements by universities, research institutions or individuals; and (d) such other processes and patents, the development of which may be entrusted to the Corporation.

7.1. The annual production from commercial exploitation of researches is increasing and the total value of production based on processes licensed by the Corporation up to 31st March 1965 is Rs. 8.50 crore which has resulted in foreign exchange saving of Rs. 6.80 crore.

7.2. Licences Negotiated.-During the period 1st April to 31st December, 1965, 37 licence agreements for the commercial utilization of various processes developed at different Laboratories/ Institutes were negotiated.

7.3. NRDC Development Projects.-The progress of various projects instituted by the Corporation is given below :

7.3.1. Integrated Protein Projects.-The erection of the plant has been completed and preliminary trials are in progress.

7.3.2. Fluidized Bed Technique for Textile Processing Project.-Further work on the project regarding 'fundamental studies on heat and mass transfer in counter fluidized beds' has been undertaken from PL 480 Funds at Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research for the period 1965-66.

7.3.3. Phthalic Anhydride Project.-Phthalic Anhydride produced from pilot plant trials was sent to a number of leading paint manufacturers and users to assess the suitability of the project. Consumer acceptability reports

are quite encouraging and numerous parties have asked the Central Fuel Research Institute to meet their demand for more than 10 tons per month.

7.3.4. Fat Liquors and Synthans Project.-The Central Leather Research Institute, Madras has handed over its pilot plant for the manufacture of Fat liquors and Synthans to NRDC pending procurement of requisite plant and machinery from abroad due to non-availability of foreign exchange. It is hoped that the necessary foreign exchange will be made available to the NRDC during 1966-67.

7.4. Progress of Processes Already Licensed.-During the year com- mercial production of the following was started :

          
        
                                                         
        Sl. No.                  Process                                 Laboratory/Institute
        
        
                                                         
        1. Graphite Crucibles (Carbon Bonded)                       National Metallurgical Laboratory,
                                                                              Jamshedpur.
        
        2. Carbon Free Ferro-Alloys                                              Do.
        
        3. Graphite Crucibles (Clay Bonded)                                      Do.
        
        4. Plasticizers for PVC Resins                                   Council    of    Scientific     and 
        Industrial
                                                                    Research Scheme at Sri  Ram
                                                                    Institute for Industrial Research.
        
        5. Pouch Piercer                                                      Individual

8. International Scientific Unions.-India continued to be a member of the International Council of Scientific Unions and also of the following International Unions and Associations etc. through this Ministry :

1. International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry

2. International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

3. International Union of History of Sciences

4. International Geographical Union

5. International Union of Biological Sciences

6. International Scientific Radio Union

7. International Astronomical Union

8. International Union of Crystallography

9. International Union of Pure & Applied Physics

10. International Union of Geodesy & Geophysics

11. International Union of Biochemistry

12. International Commission of Table Constants

13. International Bureau of Weights & Measures

14. Special Committee on Oceanic Research

15. Pan Indian Ocean Science Association

16. International Federation of Documentation (through the Indian National Documentation Centre).

8.1. Being a member of the International Council of Scientific Unions, India continued to receive scientific literature of value to scientific organisations, in the country for keeping themselves posted with the latest scientific; developments in other countries.

9. Scientific Delegations.-The third General Assembly of the International Quiet Sun Year held in Madrid from the 3rd March to 3rd April, 1965 was attended by two Indian scientists, viz., Dr. K. R. Ramanathan. Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, and Dr. A. P. Mitra, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi.

9.1. Dr. T. R. Govindachari, Director, CIBA Research Centre, Bombay was deputed to attend the 23rd Conference of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry held in Paris from the 2nd to 9th July, 1965.

9.2. Two representatives of the Indian Science Congress viz. the late Dr. B. N. Prasad, M. P., President, Indian Science Congress Association, Calcutta and Shri M. G. Raja Ram, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Education, attended the 127th meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held at Cambridge from the 1st to 8th September, 1965.

10. Indian Science Congress.-The 53rd Session of the Indian Science Congress, under the Presidentship of the late Dr. B. N. Prasad, M.P., was held at Chandigarh from the 3rd to 9th January, 1966. The session was inaugurated by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, President of India. Among the large number of scientists who attended the Congress there were 33 eminent scientists from other countries.

11. Scheme for Vijnan Mandirs.-The Vijnan Mandirs were set up with a view to stimulating interest in science amongst the people in rural areas and also to help them to an intelligent appreciation of the scientific principles underlying vital problems affecting their daily life. In pursuance of the recommendation of the Assessment Committee on Vijnan Mandirs set up by the Government, the administrative control of Vijnan Mandirs was transferred to the State Governments in the beginning of 1963-64. After the transfer, one new Vijnan Mandir was added, bringing the total number to 50.

12. Summer Schools.-Three summer schools were organised by the Union Ministry of Education during June-July 1965 to enable the scientists to get together for valuable exchange of views and experience. These were :

(1) A Summer School in forsenic science held at Bangalore from the 14th to 25th June, 1965, was attended by 22 participants.

(2) A Summer School in experimental botany in India at Ootacamund from the 28th June to 10th July 1965 which was attended by 22 participants.

(3) A Summer School in metallurgy (ferrous metals) at Shillong from 12-24, July 1965. Seventeen scientists took part in it.

13. Production of Popular Scientific Literature.-The scheme for popularization of science envisages the grant of financial assistance for the production of reasonably cheap and simple books and journals on popular scientific

subjects in Indian languages and also for bringing out translations of such literature from English and other foreign languages into regional languages. Financial assistance under this scheme was sanctioned for the publication of 9 books of popular scientific nature during the period under report.

B. SURVEYS

B. I-SURVEY OF INDIA

14. Topographical and Development Project Surveys.-During 1965- 66 about 70% of the field potential was engaged on topographical surveys for the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs and the remaining personnel on development project surveys undertaken during the third Five Year Plan. Survey work was also undertaken in Nepal under the Colombo Plan. Briefly, the work done was as follows :

(a) Topographical surveys in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mysore, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

(b) Joint work along the Indo-East Pakistan Boundary in Mizo Hills-Chittagong Hill Tracts Sector; boundary demarcation between Bhutan and Assam and West Bengal; landing and approach charts of various aerodromes; geodetic triangulation/astronomical observations in Assam, Nicobar Islands, Laccadive Islands, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Mysore; magnetic observations in Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Bhutan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan; gravity observations in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madras, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat; tidal observations in the coastal areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Mysore and Orissa and precision levelling in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

(c) Surveys in connection with the following development projects were undertaken with assistance from the U.N. Special Fund : Inchampalli Reservoir (Andhra Pradesh), Umium Umtru (Assam), North Koel (Bihar), Daman Ganga (Gujarat), Narmada (Gujarat), Chalipuzha (Kerala), Aghanashini (Mysore), Kalinadi (Mysore), Ken (Madhya Pradesh), Konta (Madhya Pradesh), Dembu (Madhya Pradesh), Bodhghat (Madhya Pradesh), Annas (Rajasthan), Wakal (Rajasthan), Indravati (Orissa), Manibhadra/Gania (Orissa), Tikarpara (Orissa), Dobra (Uttar Pradesh) and Kishav Dam (Uttar Pradesh).

(d) Surveys in connection with the following projects were also undertaken : (i) Goalpara, Neamati and Majuli Flood Control Projects and Barak Project in Assam; (ii) Kosi and Bhavanathpur Limestone Region surveys in Bihar; (iii) Kotar Lands surveys in Gujarat; (iv) Ferozepore Canal, Bursar Tunnel and Sawalkot Project in Jammu & Kashmir; (v) Tawa and Lohandiguda Projects in Madhya Pradesh; (vi) Kumbhi, Kesari, Dhamni, Pench,

Wardha Foundry Forge Plant and Koyna Dam Projects and Forest Surveys in Maharashtra; (vii) Aquem Ward and Porvorim plateau surveys in Goa; (viii) Vishnu Prayag, Pancheshwar/Rameshwar, Maneri Bhali Tunnel and Tehri Power House Projects in Uttar Pradesh; (ix) Siul, Sutlej, Ghog and Giri Bata Projects in Himachal Pradesh; (x) Taldih Iron Ore and Mahanadi Right Bank Resettlement projects in Orissa.

14.1. To cope with the survey tasks of the Ministry of Irrigation and Power, the raising of one additional circle, nine field parties and one drawing office was approved.

15. Participation in Conferences.-The Department participated in three conferences/seminars held in India including the All India Surveying and Mapping Seminar in New Delhi in April, 1965.

16. Training of Officers Abroad.-Nine officers underwent or were undergoing specialized training abroad-two in photogrammetry and one in electronic computer progressing and computation in the U.K.; two in photogrammetry at the International Training Centre for Aerial Surveys, Delft, Netherlands; one in cartography in Germany; on in photogrammetry in France; one in the advanced techniques of mapping and survey work in the U.S.A. and one in photogrammetry in Canada.

17. Publications.-Various topographical and geographical maps, project maps, weather charts, approach and landing charts, cantonment maps, tide table 1966, departmental and extra-departmental books and pamphlets were published by the Department. Sonic of the maps published by the Department are : (i) Railway Map of India in English on 1 : 3.5 M scale; (ii) Railway Map of India in Hindi on 1 :3.5 M scale; (iii) Political Map of India in Hindi on 1 : 4.5 M scale; and (iv) Outline Map of India and Adjacent Countries in Hindi on 1/16 M scale.

18. Grant-in-aid.-An ad hoc grant-in-aid of Rs. 7,695 was given to the Junior High School, Hathibarkala, Dehra Dun. The school was taken over tinder the Central Schools Scheme of this Ministry with effect from 28th June, 1965.

19. Pre-Investment Surveying, Mapping etc.-The plan of operation for the pilot production and training centre for pre-investment surveying, mapping and training centre for pre-investment surveying, mapping and training was signed by the representatives of the Government of India, of the United Nations Special Fund and the United Nations on the 16th August, 1965. Orders have been placed for some of the equipment to be supplied by the U.N. Special Fund.

20. A Forest Party has been raised in the Department as a part of the project for pre-investment survey of forest resources undertaken by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture with assistance from the U.N. Special Fund, to carry out detailed survey of areas of high potential for forest raw materials in certain States.

B. II-NATIONAL ATLAS ORGANISATION

21. During the year, four plates of the main English edition of the National Atlas, viz., Bhopal, Nagpur and Bombay on 1 : 1 M scale of the 'Physical' series and Bhopal on 1 : 1 M scale of the 'Transport and Tourism' series were printed. A large number of other maps are at various stages of compilation, final drawing and printing.

B. III-ANTHROPOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

22. Important scientific activities of the Anthropological Survey of India during the period include the following :

23. Physical Anthropology.-The 'All India Anthropometric Survey' project, started in 1960, proposed to undertake 12 measurements and several anthropological observations on the bodies of at least 60,000 individuals. Upto 1965 about 36,800 individuals had been measured in various States. During the period under review field investigations were carried out in the States of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

23.1. Another project entitled 'All India Craniometric Survey' was undertaken by this Survey to examine and investigate the metric and non-metric characteristics on the skulls of various ethnic types of India that are deposited in the museums and medical colleges throughout India. During the period under review a large number of crania and mandibles were measured.