APPENDIX J- INTER-STATE UNDERSTANDING
On the 16th August, 1949 the Hon'ble Minister wrote a D.O. letter to the Premiers of the Provinces (now States) requesting, them to consider the, following suggestions for promoting inter-provincial understanding and good feeling:-
(i) There should be no bar either to admissions to or appointments in educational institutions for students and teachers respectively of other States. A certain percentage, of admissions and appointments should be reserved for other States.
(ii) There should be an organised exchange of students and teachers between different States and there should be organised hospitality extended by representative families to individuals from other States.
(iii) Illustrated literature and films depicting, the prevailing conditions and customs of different parts of the country, should be produced and interchanged.with other States.
A copy of the Hon'ble Minister's letter is attached (Annexure I). It has also since, been sent to all other State Governments.
2. A consolidated Summary of the replies received. is attached herewith (Annexure II). In regard to the first proposal, the States are of opinion that the, State educational institutions primarily cater for the, students of the State and if there are, surplus seats, students from other States can be considered. If there is a reservation in certain institutions for other States, this reservation should be on a mutual basis, The States approve the second proposal but feel that finances will stand in the way and hence the plan can be tried out only on a small scale, or if the Central Government can take the lead. In regard to the third proposal the general trend is that the Centre should take up the mattes.
3. It is felt that the dangers of provincialism are so serious that the matter should be pursued further. The Board is, therefore, requested to consider this question in the light of the reactions of States Governments and To suggest concrete steps. which may be taken in the educational sphere in order to bring about a greater inter- state understanding and to inculcate in the youth a truly nationalistic outlook.
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ANNEXURE I No F. 33-1/48-D. 1.
`2 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Delhi, the 16th August, 1949.
My dear,
For some time past, I and my colleagues in the Cabinet have been concerned about the lack of sufficient knowledge of conditions and customs prevailing, in one part of the country by persons. residing in other parts. This as you yourself would appreciate, has led to an attitude of narrow provincialism which is retarding the unification of the country.
There has already been some correspondence between this Ministry and your Government on this subject in our letter No. *F. 33-1/48- E.II, dated 30th March 1948, and your Government's reply thereto.
I am anxious that we should do whatever is possible to break the barriers between the provinces and create circumstances which will lead to better understanding and greater co-operation.
One of the easiest ways for achieving free interchange of persons between one province and another is to throw open the doors of Universities and other educational institutions to people from all parts of the country. Domicile restrictions both in regard to admissions to institutions of learning and to appointments on their staff have considerably checked inter-change. I am sure if the rule pertaining to domicile is either relaxed or amended much could be done to fill the gap, if for some reason you are unable to amend this rule, I would appreciate it if you could at least reserve a substantial percentage both of admissions and appointments for persons belonging to other provinces.
Organised exchanges as between students and teachers of educational institutions in the several provinces and organised hospitality for individuals with representative families would also help in achieving our object, The Government of India would be glad to give any assistance you might need in formulating your plans.
I feel, too, that it would be useful to produce literature and films delineating the customs and conditions prevailing in the several territorial units of the country. This could then be interchanged, with advantage, between all concerned. We have recently started publication of an Education Quarterly, prepared by the Bureau of Education attached to this Ministry. This journal attempts to co- ordinate information about educational matters throughout the country. Although this is useful in itself, it does not quite serve the purpose which I have in mind at the moment. Illustrated, pamphlets and films depicting all aspects of the life of people in a particular province is really what I want Education, art, customs and traditions economic (industrial and agricultural) conditions prevailing in a province should be covered by the scope of the proposed pamphlets and films. This work, I feel, can be most competently done by each province itself. I envisage some difficulty in regard to the language medium. When a decision about the Federal language has been taken, of course the obvious thing would be to produce this literature in the language medium. When a decision province can conveniently produce literature in its own regional language, and subsequently this can be translated in the other languages of the country for use in other areas.
*Not reproduced.
159
I will be grateful if you could give some thought to the points
that I have raised in this letter and let me have your views thereon,
at your early convenience.
Yours sincerely,
A. K. AZAD.
To
The Chief Ministers of all `A' States.
160
ANNEXURE II
Statements showing views of the States on the Question of Inter-State understanding-coneld.
Name of States Reservation of certain per- Organised exchanges between Production literature and films
admissions and appointments students and teachers and delineating the customs
for other States with representative families. and in the states
Andaman & Nico- No petty provincialism .. A small batch of students and ..
bar Islands exists other people should be sent from
the Island to various parts of
India, under a competent guide
to make an educational tour of
places of interest in the mainland.
Ajmer .. The domicile rules in force Hospitality to outside parties Production of films is not
at present debar the appoi- has always been extended by this possible, as the State is
ntment of outsiders in sub- state and is also usually recipr- too small.
ordinate services. No special ocated.
restrictions have been placed
on admission of outsiders into
the only Government College,
Ajmer.
Assam .. Gauhati University has libera- This cannot be encouraged on a Government have already st-
lly offered appointments to per- large scale because of financial arted producing literature
sons of other States. In other reasons. in the State. Production of
educational institutions quali- films though desirable cannot
fied candidates of other States be under-taken for want of
are appointed if suitable. men and money.
Preferential treatment has to be
given to native students for adm-
ission in educational institut-
ions. Meritorious case of other
States are also considered.
West Bengal .. In most institutions of this The Government of India should The idea is good but for
State domicile restrictions take a lead in this respect and financial reasons it is
regarding admissions and prepare a scheme. The State not possible.
appointments do not exist. would gladly co-operate.
Several Government Institut-
ions have reserved a percen-
tage of seats for students
from other States.
161
Bhopal -- Educational tours should be en- Some space in college Maga-
couraging. zine should be devoted for
depicting the various aspe-
cts of life.
Bihar No restriction on the admi- The idea is welcome, but such ex- The publication department
ssion of students from other changes can be best organised by of Adult Education is alre-
States to non-Technical Inst- a Central Body. dy publishing books on peo-
itutions. The same policy is ple's lives. The State Pub-
not possible for technical licity Department is also
institutions which have a very publishing pamphlets of
limited number of seats. this kind.
Ordinary posts in educational The Government of India
institutions are filled by the should give an idea of the
natives of teh State, but for material required for such
important posts, scholars from publications.
other States are also invited.
Bilaspur In Bilaspur there is no Univ- Bilaspur would welcome any visit Supports the proposal
ersity. The only High School by parties of students and scho-
is, however, open to students lars. The people being poor, such
from any part of the country. programme will have to be financed
by the Government. Holding of fai-
rs, etc., could also go a long way
in promoting such understanding.
Bombay The State has already decided Exchange of teachers between Uni- The production of such lit-
to abolish on a reciprocal versities should be encouraged. erature should be tackled
basis levy of capitation fees Students and teachers should vis- on an all-India basis. This
from extra-state students, ad- it other States;refresher courses however, should be left to
mitted to Government Educatio- during vacation may be held for private enterprise and the
nal Institutions. It is diffi- teachers an students from all authors may be encouraged
cult to reserve seats for out- parts of the country. by rewards.
side students in Technical and
Research Institutions where the
number of seats is already li- A scheme could perhaps be formu- State Governments have no
mited. Even then in College of lated with the help of Inter-Un- facilities to embark on
Engineering. Poona seats have iversity Board. producation of films.
been reserved for certain back-
ward States. Reservation of
seats should be on a reciprocal
basis.
162
Statement showing views of the States on the Question of Inter-State understanding - contd.
Coorg There is no domicile restriction. No concrete steps have The question of language offers
The teaching staff is mostly from been taken. some difficulty. Any Literature
the neighbouring States of Madras can be produced only in the re-
& Mysore. gional language i.e.Kannada.
Also for want of proper facili-
ties, no films can be produced.
Delhi. No domicile restriction exists. Educational tours shou- Producation of text-books givi-
The University of Delhi has inst- ld be encouraged for ng information about different
ituted All-India scholarships and which liberal concessi- States should be under taken.
fellowships which are open to st- ons in railway fares There should also be frequent
udents from any part of India. are necessary. radio talks.
Himachal Pradesh No Comments.
Hyderabad It is difficult to reserve seats Financial help will be Only such films as are prepared
for outsiders as the local dema- necessary for such an under the general supervision
nd is heavy. exchange. Vacation Co- of the Education Department
urses should provide will help in spreading a know-
opportunities for per- ledge of local conditions.
sonal contacts.
Kutch The Administration supports the Scheme and has offered full Co-operation in the matter
Madhya Bharat Welocmes the Proposals.
Madhya Pradesh There is no restriction to admis- The ideas is desirable, Under the scheme of Social Edu-
sion to scholls and Arts Colleges. but financial reasons cation, suitable literature of
It is difficult to admit students sill stand in the way. this type is being prepared wh-
from other States in Science and ich can be made available to
Technical institutions, because the Centre and other States on
the seats are limited. Free admi- basis of mutual exchange. Such
ssions to these institutions can literature should be translated
be made if only State and Univer- by the Government of India into
sities agree to do the same. Hindi. The production of liter-
ature and films should be on a
Appointments of staff for college planned basis so that money is
and universities are made on an not wasted
All-India basis.
163
Madras There is free admission in Arts Organised exchange of The State is not sure that pro-
Colleges. In professional colle- students and teachers duction of pamphlets and films
ges there are seats reserved for can be undertaken on a on local customs will reduce
other States. As regional langu- reciprocal basis. Org- provincial differences. The cu-
age is now gradually becoming the anised hospitality is stoms common throughout the co-
medium of instruction students desirable but should be untry should be imphasised upon
from other States will find it left to privated indiv- The Government of India,however
difficult to join the educational iduals. No steps have should give a lead in the prod-
institutions in the State. The been taken by the Govt. uction of such literature.
system of levying capitation fees in this matter.
has been abolished.
Manipur No domicile restriction exists. Government is reluctant The State would welcome the vi-
Recruitment to lower posts from to welcome the infiltrat- sit of an officer of the Minis-
outside the State is hardly pos- ion of students from the try to help in preparing a sch-
sible because of low scales of communist infected towns eme for the production of films
pay in the State. of Bengal and Assam, un- .
less their bonafides are
fully tested.
Orissa Regarding admissions and appoin- Exchanges of students and The production of literature
tments, though there is no bar teachers is possible on- and films may not break the
for other State are, however, ly at the collegiate st- barriers between States. Evolu-
given preference. Even if seats age ad so long as English tion of a national language
were reserved for other States is the Medium of Instru- will unite the country.
the cost of travelling and the ction.
language difficulty will remain. Organised hospitality can
be tried. No steps have
been taken by Govt.
Punjab There are no domicile restrict- Private hospitality is di- The Public Relations Deptt.
ions either in regard to admis- fficult for financial rea- have produced a film and are
sions or appointments. sons. The method can, how- publishing two monthly journals
ever, be tried on a small "Our Punjab"; and "Pardeep".
scale.
PEPSU The Government Welcomes the suggestions.
Rajasthan Agrees with the views Educational tours for Arts
& Science students once a
year need encouragement.
Saurashtra No domicile restriction exists Students coming from other Not yet produced by the State
in the State. States on educational though the need is recognised.
tours are treated as
state guests.
Travancore-Cochin There is no bar against the The suggestion is a good It is suggested that this may
admission of students belo- one and the State is pr- be taken up by the Centre.
nging to other States. epared to co-operate
fully in any Scheme that
may be evolved.
164
Statement showing views of the States on the Question of Inter-State understanding - concld.
1 2 3 4
Tripura No domicile restriction exists This cannot be encouraged due The idea may be dropped for
in teh State. to financial reasons. the present in view of the
expenditure involved.
Uttar Pradesh There are already students and The idea is desirable. The The literature and films sho-
teachers from other States in revival of railway concessi- uld be produced in the common
the educational institutions ons will go a long way in language of the union and at
here. Formal rule for reserva- promoting such understanding. a Central place.
tion is not therefore necess- Govt. of India should draw up A conference of all States
ary. a plan for the purpose. may be called to promote mut-
ual understanding.
Vindhya Pradesh There is no domicile restric- It is proposed to encourage Nothing has so far been done
tion, but preference is given inter-institutional and in this direction.
to local candidates. inter-Provincial excursions.
165