(VI) APPENDIX F MEMORANDUM ON ITEM 9 : NATIONAL PHYSICAL EFFICIENCY DRIVE
On the recommendation of the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation the National Physical Efficiency Drive was formally launched by the Government of India on a country-wide scale during the second week of February, 1960.
The aim of the Physical Efficiency Drive is to popularise the cult of physical fitness throughout the country and to arouse the enthusiasm of the people for higher standards of physical efficiency and achievement such tests are in vogue in many countries of the world and have given good results in creating and promoting enthusiasm among the young and the old for the pursuit of high standards of physical excellence. Full details of the scheme are given in the brochure entitled " A Plan for National Physical Efficiency Drive " which has been published by the Government of India.
In so far as the tests under the scheme are concerned, these have been drawn up separately for men and women and for two age-groups, viz., (a) below 18 years of age and (b) 18 years and above. Thus, there are altogether four categories of tests. The tests. are so designed that even elderly people can aspire to pass them and derive the resulting sense of achievement. Each of the four test categories has three standards laid down from moderately easy to fairly difficult. The highest are the "Three Star" standards, the next "Two Star" standards and the easiest "One Star". The intention is that those who pass all the prescribed items at the "Three Star" level will be awarded a "Three Star" badge, medal or certificate specially designed for the purpose. Those who pass all the prescribed items in the second standard, will be awarded a "Two Star" certificate and those passing in the third group will get the "One Star" certificate.
As regards the basis that has been kept in view while working out the tests, it may be stated that the tests have been selected keeping in mind certain fundamental physical qualities such as speed, strength, agility, endurance and body balance. The standards given against each item are somewhat arbitrary but are on the basis of performances which are attainable as judged from observation. Experts may differ on what to include and what standards to fix, but national tests like these have to be evolved over a period of several years. To do this we must first of all make a beginning somewhere.
There is a common belief that sports activities are meant for urban areas only and that no opportunities are provided for those who live in villages. The tests under the Scheme have been so devised that they can be taken by people both in the urban and the rural areas.
Before formally launching the Drive on a country-wide scale in the second week of February, 1960, the Ministry of Education sent out a
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detailed circular letter to the State Governments, vice-chancellors of the universities, presidents of the national sports federations and associations, principals of the physical education training institutions etc. to solicit their cooperation in the implementation of the Drive.
On the basis of the proposals received from the State Governments, it was decided by the Ministry of Education to allot under the Drive 400 testing centres to the various State Governments in so far as the year 1959-60 was concerned. The Ministry of Education also sanctioned grants amounting to Rs. 1,20,000 to the State Governments to meet the expenditure on the testing centres allotted to them at Rs. 300 per centre. This expenditure was sanctioned to cover the incidental expenses, contingencies, and payment of honoraria to the examiners where their. services could not be obtained free.
The State Governments had been requested to forward the results of the tests conducted by them to this Ministry in the prescribed proforma by April 1, 1960. The requisite information is still awaited from a number of State Governments. On the basis of the information received, the number of successful competitors in some of the States and Union Territories was as follows:
Kerala 2,485
Madras 7,983
U.P. 8,600
Delhi 1,303
Manipur 548
Tripura 119
Pondicherry 81
West Bengal 2,795
Rajasthan 186
Bihar 372
In the, absence of receipt of the reports from the State Governments it has not been possible for us to review the progress of the Drive in terms of the total participants, the successful competitors and their break-up in the three different categories of the 'Stars', the public response to the Drive etc.
The progress of the National Physical Efficiency Drive was also reviewed by the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation at its last meeting held at New Delhi on 16th April, 1960. After a prolonged discussion, the Board recommended that the National Physical Efficiency Drive had made a successful start and should be implemented with greater emphasis during 1960-61.
In the light of the experience gained during the last year and the advice of the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recrea-
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tion, the Government of India have made the following suggestions for expanding the scope and coverage of the Drive :
(1) Testing centres should be set up in all educational institutions of the level of high/higher secondary schools and above where adequate facilities for conducting the tests are available. Where there are one or more schools in the same locality, it would suffice if the testing centre is located in one of the schools which can cater to the needs of others as well.
(2) The testing centres may also be established in recognised gymnasia, akharas, vyayamshalas, sports clubs, recreation centres etc. having the necessary amenities.
(3) It is not essential that a testing centre should be opened only when the facilities for all the tests prescribed in the brochure are available. Certain testing centres may have facilities only for the qualifying tests prescribed in the brochure.
(4) An effort should be made to bring in non-student youth also, for taking these tests by enlisting the co- operation of important commercial houses and industrial organisations and through the good offices of the State Department of Community Development.
(5) To avoid delay and red-tape, the directors of public instruction may be authorised to accord final approval regarding selection of the testing centres, on being satisfied that the required facilities exist at the centre selected.
(6) The supply of certificates and diplomas for the winners will be made by the Government of India through the State Governments Publicity material will also be distributed by the Government of India. State Governments are requested to pass on the same to the testing centres so that the participants get the certificates as soon as the tests are over.
(7) Tests should be held periodically as and when a certain number of persons wish to take a test. In the beginning, an effort should be made to hold the tests at least four times a year at each testing centre.
(8) State Governments may appoint some responsible whole-time officer as officer-in-charge of the National Physical Efficiency Drive. It will be the responsibility of this officer to see that the Drive is implemented with the necessary plan and vigour throughout the State. An officer of the rank of the inspector of schools/district education officer having a special flair for physical education work may be selected for this assignment from amongst the existing staff. The Government of India would be willing to consider the possibility of meeting the expenditure on TA/DA of these officers for this purpose. This step is considered very important for the success of the Drive as the main reason why the Drive could not make the expected impact last year was the dearth of suitable officers at the State level wholly responsible for the Drive.
(9) Since the testing centres are now to be set up in the educational institutions of the level of high/higher secondary schools.
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and above where all the necessary facilities for the conduct of the tests would be available, the practice of paying grants to the State Governments for the establishment of the centres at Rs. 300 per centre will be discontinued.
It has been impressed upon the State Governments that it is very important to ensure that an accurate record of the results is maintained at the testing centres. The national tests of physical fitness have to be evolved over a period of years and modifications and alterations will have to be effected from time to time in the light of experiences gained. The Government of India will periodically take up the question of review of the tests in consultation with the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation. For such a review, it is very essential that an accurate record of the tests that are now being conducted is maintained.