SUPPLEMENTARY MEMORANDUM ON
 ITEM XIX-REVISION OF INDIAN BRAILLE
 

The, Revised Indian Braille Code, prepared by the Expert Braille Committee, in the light of the International Braille Conference held in Paris in March, 1950, under the auspices of UNESCO, has been submitted to the Board for approval. A copy was also sent to UNESCO in November, 1950.

The Government of India have just been informed by UNESCO that they have some modifications to suggest in. order to bring about world-wide consistency in Braille usage. This question is to be considered at the Middle East and Indian Regional Braille Conference which is going to be, held at Cairo next month at the instance of Unesco. It will be attended by experts from countries using the Arabic script and from India and Ceylon. The Director-General, UNESCO, has decided to invite Dr. S. K. Chatterji, Mr.R. M. Alpaiwalla and Mr. Lal Advani from India.

.The main object of the Cairo Conference will be to make a further attempt to achieve the greatest possible degree of Braille uniformity between countries using the Arabic Script and between India and Ceylon, UNESCO expects to finalize the proposed World Braille Chart after the Cairo Conference.

It is possible that, as a result of the discussions at the Cairo Conference, some minor modifications involving a reshuffling of the values assigned to the various Braille signs may have to be introduced into the, Indian Braille in the interest of wider uniformity. It is, therefore, requested that the Expert Braille Committee, which is a Standing Committee of the Board, may be authorized to introduce such minor changes into Indian Braille as it may consider necessary in the light of the delibrations at the Cairo Conference. The Board will be informed of any changes that are introduced, and no important change will be made without the Board's. prior approval.