APPENDIX A (e) : REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH WELFARE (LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICE CAMPS AND WORK PROJECTS).
1. Report of the Youth Welfare Scheme : 99
1. State Youth Welfare Boards and Committees
2. Youth Leadership Training Camps. Dramatics Camps and Principals' Seminars.
3. Youth Tours and Hikes.
4. Youth Hostels.
5. Youth Festivals.
6. Youth Welfare journal.
7. Survey of Youth Problems.
8. Equipped vans and rural entertainment.
9. Workshops in Educational Institutions.
10. Youth Conference.
Out of a budget provision of Rs. 5 lakhs during 1955-56 for Youth Welfare work, the following items of work have been undertaken :
1. Youth Leadership Training Camps and Dramatics Camps A grant of Rs. 3,000/- was made to the University of Jammu and Kashmir for holding a Youth Leadership Training Camp under the directions of Honorary Adviser. At the request of the University he also helped in organising another Leadership Camp for the female teachers 'of the Colleges of Kashmir valley. Earlier the Ministry had organised four Youth Leadership Training Camps at (i) Srinagar, (ii) Mahabaleshwar (iii) Ranikhet and (iv) Lovedale and two Dramatics Camps at Andretta and Sabathu. The camps are organised from time to time by this Ministry for a group of Universities in an area at one time with the object of preparing' College teachers to conduct Youth Welfare activities in a more systematic and organised way. Also a Seminar of Principals was held at Sabathu in 1955 to discuss the problems of youth and to find out the ways and means of meeting them.
2. Youth Tours and Hikes In order to encourage tours and hikes among the youth, the Government of India gives financial assistance to the small batches of students going on tours to the extent of 75 percent of the 'Railway- fare at students' concession rates. The application has to be submitted through the Vice-Chancellor of the University or Educational Secretary of the State Government concerned. During the current financial year, a total amount of Rs. 55,000/- has been sanctioned for nearly 65 educational institutions for conducting tours.
3. Youth Hostels This work entails the provision of hostels for the youth, where the young can avail themselves of the cheap food and accommodation while on tour. A grant of Rs. 3,000/- has been made to the West Bengal Government for constructing Youth Hostels in the State. This was in addition to the earlier grant of Rs. 45,000/- sanctioned during 1954-55. The request for financial assistance in the, current financial year from the Youth Hostels Association of India, which is a national body in this sphere, is under consideration.
4. Youth Festival The First Inter-University Youth Festival made its mark last year and the second was held from 23rd to 30th October, 1955 on the same, lines.
The main items of competition of the Festival were Arts and Crafts including Painting (oil or water), Drawing (Pen or Pencil), Sculpture, Photographs,
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Handicrafts (General or Women's), Drama (One-Act-Play), Classical Dance, Vocal Classical Music, Instrumental Music, Radio play, Hindi Elocution, Group Dance and Group Singing.
The competitions were open only to the students, within the age range of 14 to 22, of affiliated colleges of Universities.
The outstanding feature of this Festival was the construction of an open-air theatre in the Talkatora Gardens. The construction of this theatre was personally supervised and designed by the Honorary Adviser. This theatre is expected to meet the requirements of the Annual Inter-University Youth Festivals as well as for other similar functions which may be organised by the local Colleges.
The total strength of the Festival Camp was 1172 with 25 Universities entering the different items of competition of the festival. An amount of Rs. 2.7 lakhs was sanctioned for this event and the entire expenditure of this Festival is expected to be met well within the sanctioned amount.
For want of funds, other items of work have not yet been undertaken. In the next Five-Year Plan, a larger allocation of Rs. 100 lakhs has been proposed which will enable this unit to enlarge its activities by, taking up other items also.
Labour and Social, Service Camps and Work Projects etc.
II. Introduction The Scheme of Labour and Social Service Camps, which is intended to inculcate a sense of the dignity of manual labour among the students, came into operation in May, 1954. For the implementation of the scheme, a Committee on Labour and Social Service Camps, consisting of both official and non-official members, was set up early in May, 1954. This Committee meets from time to time to discuss plans and programme with regard to the scheme and to consider the problems arising out of it. So far this Committee has met 11 times.
A sum of Rs. 1 crore has been set apart in the First Five-Year Plan for this scheme. A sum of Rs. 30 lakhs was spent during the year 1954-55 and Rs. 70 lakhs have been allocated for utilization during the current financial year. This amount is sub-divided in the ratio of 75:25 'into two major types of work viz;
(1) Labour and Social Service Camps.
(2) Work Projects to be undertaken in and around the University Campuses.
Labour and Social Service Camps It is gratifying to note that from its very inception, the scheme has received a tremendous response. Universities, State Governments and Voluntary organisations such as the Bharat Sevak Samaj and Bharat Scouts and Guides have taken active interest in the conduct of Labour and Social Service Camps. The N.C.C. Directorate of the Ministry of Defence has also extended its cooperation by inviting non-cadet students to join N. C. C. Social Service Camps and organising Camps of A. C. C. Cadets in different parts of the country. Upto 31-10-55 as many as 1242 camps have been conducted in the country, in which nearly 1,63,384 youths have participated. A state-wise break up of the camps for 1955-56 is given at Appendix 'A'.
In these camps, the youths have undertaken the construction of roads, repair of old buildings, desilting or clearance of ponds or tanks, construction of bunds and embankments, flood relief, sanitation drive etc., and environ-
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mental hygiene in the case of Girls Camps, though' girls have occasionally participated in camps for manual work like the construction of roads also.
Work Done During 1954-55 In Bihar N.C.C. and A.C.C. Cadets worked on the eastern embankment of Kosi river 700 teachers, 3023 N. C. C. Cadets and 22,457 A. C. C. Cadets divided into two, main camps which were further sub- divided into several units of approximately one thousand each, completed 6,200 ft. of the embankment involving 50,00,000 cft. of earth work, besides laying six inches of clay blanketing of the embankment and providing four ft. of turfing on its forward slope. It is interesting to note that it was for the first time that such a large number of students had taken part in a project of national importance and this unique experiment has brought to light the genuine desire on the part of the youth to help in the execution of national projects.
In the Punjab nearly 31. camps were held under the auspices of the Bharat Sevak Samaj. These camps were conducted in cooperation with the Community Project Administration. The campers mainly concentrated on building miles of roads, planting new saplings, sinking compost and soak pits and starting literary and cultural centres. The villagers, though sceptical in the first instance, gave full support and became equal partners in the 'Joint endeavour" in the task of construction work. Particular mention should be made of the camp held at Kulu in Kangra Distt. where the students undertook the construction of a jeepable road in the hilly track. This was no small achievement.
The girl campers directed their efforts on intensive environmental services in 35 villages. They were successful in forming, Committees known as Nari Sevak Mandals consisting of local representatives which would continue the good work done by them. It is interesting to note that two children's parks opened in 'the displaced persons' colonies of Warayana and Bhargava in Jullundur were handed over to the representatives of these areas.
Ajmer hag been a pioneer in organizing Camps. In fact, this was one of the first States which put into action the idea of inspiring youth with the spirit of dignity of labour and creating enthusiasm among them for establishing close contacts with the villagers. Pisan Gain Girls Camps needs a special mention, where an attempt was made by school and college girls, trained 'in' the field of Social Service, to eradicate age-old superstitions and social evils from among village women.
In Madhya Pradesh, students of the Agricultural College rendered active service by helping farmers to apply improved methods of agriculture and to introduce modern implements. A Girls' Camps, held in the hilly area of Pachmarhi, undertook to teach village women, First aid and Home Nursing, Stitching and Sewing Classes, Child Care and Cleanliness etc. This was the first Girls Camp held in the country.
In Delhi under the auspices of the Bharat Sevak Samaj the Camps were held in the surrounding areas in cooperation with the N.E.S. authorities., The first of these camps was inaugurated by Shri G. L. Nanda, Union Minister for Planning and Irrigation. Various Ambassadors and their wives participated in the Shramdan work with the villagers thereby setting an example for selfless service. Bharat Scouts and Guides also did a good piece of work. Six approach roads connecting the G.T. Road were constructed by Scouts. In addition, they undertook the task of digging of compost pits, raising of sitting platforms, making and cleaning of gutters; construction of play- grounds, levelling of school and college compounds.
The Mysore Division of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, worked on lO 1/2 miles road between Hirisave and Sravasanabelan gola serving some 25 vill-
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agers, which was formed 'with the help of villagers. Besides, a 11/2 mile long loop road, connecting nearly 10 villages to the main road, was constructed by the villagers. As a matter of fact the cooperation of villagers in Mysore, and other place in Hyderabad and Andhra was commendable and deserves special mention.
Special mention may be made of another camp at Kotah where a camp of 1500 cadets was run for 15 days and was to be followed by a similar one after its completion. The programme undertaken was to build a bund about two miles long. The project was worked by N. C. C. Directorate in consultation with the Soil Conservation Directorate as a part of the Scheme to check soil erosion, the importance of which need scarcely be mentioned.
Organizers, Training Camps Organizers' Training Camps for camp organizers form an integral part of the scheme. Organization of labour and social service camps necessarily involves adequate training on the part of the organizers in the administration, and management of a camp. It is intended that as far as possible, labour and social service camps should be organized under the guidance of trained and experienced organizers. For this purpose Organizers' Training Camps have been set up from time to time, where the trainees (mostly teachers) received training in the maintenance of accounts, survey of village conditions, elementary knowledge of health precautions, framing of balanced time-table' including manual work, lectures, talks and recreational activities. The normal duration of these camps is three weeks with a strength of 50 trainees (mostly teachers) above the age of 25. So far 32 Organizers, Training Camps. have been held in the country.
Work Project The second category i.e. Work Project is mainly concerned with combined action on the part of teachers and students for erecting a thing of lasting, value to their institution, , such, as, the construction of Open-air Theatres, Swimming Pools, Gymnasia, Sports Stadia etc. in which a substantial amount of students' manual labour is an essential feature. Up to 31.10.55, a sum of Rs. 11,50,000/- has been sanctioned to Educational lnstitutions and-Universities for the construction of 17, Swimming Pools, 15 Open-air Theatres, 13 Recreation Halls-Cum-Auditorium, 9 small Stadia, 7 Pavilions, 2 Running Tracks and 4 Gymanasia. A detailed break-up of. these figures, is given at Appendix B.
APPENDIX A
STATEMENT REGARDING YOUTH CAMPS AND LABOUR
SERVICE BY STUDENTS-POSITION AS ON 31st OCT. 1955.
State No. of Camps No. of Grant
Campers Sanctioned
Ajmer 7 647 20,904
Andhra 49 3,432 1,80,650
Assam 19 1,248 46,496
Bihar 1 50 1,938
Bombay 99 8,617 4,29,171
Coorg 3 210 8,479
Delhi 8 628 60,315
Himachal Pradesh 5 470 21,292
Hyderabad 46 3,654 2,33,021
Kutch 1 107 3,023
Madhya Bharat 30 2,075 89,939
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Madhya Pradesh 28 2,246 1,15,800
Madras 65 7,714 3,70,055
Manipur 5 401 18,579
Mysore 1 40 1,850
Orissa 19 1,172 62,460
Pepsu 4 386 17,660
Pondicherry 6 350 18,900
Punjab 46 3,705 1,62,348
Rajasthan 60 6,430 2,81,341
Saurashtra 32 2,090 66,037
Travancore-Cochin 46 3,566 2,09,947
Uttar Pradesh 76 6,834 2,81,951
Vindhya Pradesh 10 572 21,723
West Bengal l130 9,745 3,70,649
N. C. C. The exact figures are awaited from 14,00,000
N. C. C. Directorate. It is, how-
ever, felt that nearly 35,000
students have participated in the
camps held by N. C. C. Directorate.
795 66,499 44,96,528
'APPENDIX B'
STATEMENT SHOWING THE GRANTS SANCTIONED DURING
1955-56 FOR CAMPUS WORK PROJECTS UPTO 31st Oct. '55.
S.No. Universiy College Amount Project
Rs.
1. Andhra.
(a) Kavali College, Kavali. 7,000/- Open air Theatre.
(b) Sir Ramalinga College,Eluru. 35,000/- Recreation Hall-
cum-Auditorium.
(c) Sri Sabbaraya and Naryana College, 35,000/- Recreation Hall-
Narasarapet. - - - - cum-Auditorium.
77,000/-
2. Travancore University.
(a) Union Christian College, Alwaye. 7,000/- Open-air Theatre.
(b) St. Berchman's College, 7,000/- "
Changanacherry.
(c) Shree Sanara College, Kalady. 22,000/- Open-Air Theatre
and Swimming Pool.
3. Agra University.
(a) M. D. lain Inter. College, Agra. 20,000/- Swimming Pool.
(b) Barahseni College, Aligarh. 27,027/- "
(c) D.A.V. College, Ajmer. 22,500/- "
(d), D.S. College, Aligarh. 30,000/- "
4. Rajputana University.
(a) M.B. College, Udaipur. 14,000/- Open-air Theatre.
(b) Jaswant College, jodhpur. 30,000/- Swimming Pool.
(c) Govt. College, Kotah. 5,250/- Open-air Theatre.
(d) -do- 18,967/- Race Track.
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5. Bihar University.
University Campus. 35,000/- For improving
sports conditions.
6. Karnatak University.
(a) Vijay College, Bijapur. 14,531/- Swimming Pool.
(b) Kenala College, Kmuta. 13,635/- "
(c) B.V.B. College of Engg. and 9,817/-For the preparation
Tech. of 400 meters
Coinder Tuck.
7. Gauhati University.
University Campus. 5,625/- Open-air Theatre.
8. Punjab University.
D.A.V. College, Ambala. 9,000/- Open-air Theatre.
Devsamaj College, Ferozpur. 35,000/- Recreation Hall-
cum-Auditorium.
9. Utkal University
Stuart College, Cuttack. 4,350/- Open-air Theatre.
10. Madras University.
(a) V.H.N Senthi Kumara Nadir 34,500/- Recreation Hall-
College, Virudhunagar. cum-Auditorium.
(b) Sir Theagaraya College, Madras. 7,600/- Pavilion.
(c) Ferok College, Ferok. 9,430/- "
(d) Providence Women's College 25,288/- Recreation-Hall
Koshikoda. cum-Auditorium.
(e) Sacred Heart College, Triupattur. 33,884/- "
(f) St. Thomas College, Truchur 10,500/- Stadium.
Sethalakshmi
(g) S.Ramaswami College, Trichepalli. 10,125/- Open-air Theatre.
(h) S.I.E.T.Women's College, Madras. 30,000/- Swimming Pool.
(i) Teacher Training College, 28,000/- Stadium-cum-Pavi-
Coimbatore. lion.
(j) University Campus. 45,000/- Pavilion-cum-
Auditorium.
11. Osmania University.
(a) People College, Hyderabad. 35,000/- Recreation Hall-
cum-Auditorium.
(b) Nizamm College, Hyderabad. 30,000/- Swimming Pool.
12. Roorkee University.
University Campus. 65,000/- Additional grant
for Swimming Pool,
Open-air Theatre
and Recreation
Hall cum-audito-
rium.
13. Delhi University.
Indraprastha College for 30,000/- Swimming Pool.
Women, Delhi.
14. Gujarat University.
University Campus. 15,000/- Open-air Theatre.
15. Rs. 436 for making models of open-air-theatre.
16. Coorg Government. 20,716/- Swim-
ming Pool.