APPENDIX E PROGRESS IN SOCIAL SERVICE
The Board at their meeting hold in January 1941, desired that Provincial Governments and voluntary agencies of an all-India character should be requested to furnish detailed information regarding (i) existing agencies engaged in social service in their areas (including universities), (ii) the scope of their activities, and (iii) their relation to one another and the means adopted to co- ordinate their activities. It was further decided to invite sugges- tions as to ways and means of consolidating and extending the work of social service generally and particularly among women. The information received from the Provincial Governments etc., in this respect was submitted to the Board at their last meeting held in January 1942. Further reports have been received from the Provincial Governments, etc., with regard to social service agencies within their areas, and a statement of the information received is given below for the information of the Board. In consultation with the Provincial Governments a list of social service agencies of all-India character has been prepared and submitted to the Board separately for approval (Appendix W).
The scope of activities of the organisations detailed below is variously general, communal or sectarian and covers in different cases rural reconstruction, relief for the sick, wounded and victims of natural calamities, such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods and famines care of the destitute, including orphans and widows, public health, social, religious and moral reform, help to the depressed classes, provision of recreation for industrial workers education (general, adult, industrial as well as primary), Scouting, Girl Guiding etc. From the information received it appears that nowhere has an attempt so far been made to co-ordinate the activities of the different agencies engaged in social service work.
NOTE.-The information given below does not give a complete picture. The Bureau of Education is aware of the existence of other social service agencies besides those mentioned below, but as the Provincial Governments etc. have made no mention of them in their reports no reference is made to them here.
All-India Voluntary Agencies. 1. All-India Sewa Samiti, Allahabad.-Its object is to popularise ideals of social service, to help and take measures for the uplift of depressed classes, to train social workers, to promote co- operation and physical culture, to start widow homes and rescue homes, to provide medical relief and to organise boy scouts. The Society has run A.R.P. Ambulance and First Aid classes and also runs a number of institutions of social service dealing with education. medical relief and adult literacy. It co-operates with other social service institu- tions in their activities irrespective of caste, creed or colour.
2. All-India Shia Conference, Lucknow.-This body is responsible for the Shia Intermediate College, Shia Arabic College, the Sarfaraz Press (which publishes the daily Sarfaraz as well) the All-India Shia Orphanage and the, Lesanul Qaum Library. These institutions are reported to render much social service to the Shia Community.
3. Association for Moral and Social Hygiene in India, New Delhi.- The object of the Association is the promotion of Moral and Social Hygiene in India and the activities cover such items as Rescue Work for women, work for Juveniles and Children, Health Lectures (including sex hygiene), problems of brothels in military areas, and propaganda and publicity to promote the objects of the Association. Visits for consultation and research have been paid to Burma and Ceylone in addition to all the Provinces and the principal States in India.
The agencies engaged in the social service work of the Association for the prevention of traffic in women and children and the promotion of a single high moral standard, including the educational, medical, legal and rescue aspects of the work are the Punjab Association for Moral and Social Hygiene, the Mysore State Association for Moral and Social Hygiene, the Madras Vigilance Association, the Bombay Vigilance Association, the Calcutta Vigilance Association, and the Children's Aid Societies at Delhi, Lahore, Karachi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Where no agencies exist, the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene in India sets as adviser to Provincial and State Governments in these questions through whose administration much of the practical work can be carried out. In Universities lectures and discussion groups have been formed and literature supplied. The challenge against medically inspected brothels under military control, has also been part of the work of the Association.
Tours are also undertaken, as an initial step to arouse interest or to consolidate and direct work already begun. Visits to the University staff and discussions with them In usually produce a scheme considered workable in the known local conditions.
The leaders of the All-India Women's Conference and National Council of Women in India have co-operated with those of the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene in India.
4. British Empire Leprosy Relief Association (Indian Council).- The Indian Council has 16 branches in India, 10 in provinces one in Ajmer-Merwara and 5, in Indian States.
The work done by the central organisation consists of (a) Research work undertaken at the School of Tropical Medicine, (b) Research work done at the Bankura Leprosy Investigation Centre, (c) Leprosy survey and propaganda work done by the Leprosy Propaganda Officer and (d) the teaching work done at the School of Tropical Medicine and
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elsewhere. Some provincial branches also are taking an important part in research and teaching work, in addition to survey work, investigation, propaganda and work connected with Sanatoria.
The work of the Bengal Branch, one of the more important branches, during 1941 was on the following lines-(a) Leprosy surveys in seven districts, (b) training of 18 doctors in Leprosy work at the School of Tropical Medicine , (c) visits to clinics. (d) detection of leprosy in school children, (e) examination of the police and prisoners at the request of the district authorities, (f) propaganda work through lectures, exhibitions, slides, models pamphlets., radio, the press and publicity in schools, (g) study of leprosy in Calcutta, and (h) study of leprosy among women and children.
5. Girl Guides Association.-The Association renders useful and meritorious social service and helps in making Government functions and war propaganda work a great success.
6. Harijan Sewak Sangh-The Sangh works for the uplift of Harijans and Untouchables.
7. Hindusthan Scouts Association, Allahabad.-This works at important fairs and renders help to visitors in traffic, supply of water, searching and restoring lost children to their relatives, etc. It also renders medical relief and does health propaganda, rural development work, character building campaign, First Aid, etc.
8. Indian Red Cress Society.-The Indian Red Cross Society has branches in all the Provinces and many Indian States. Its activities cover not only relief work in India but also international relief work. The following contributions were made in 1941:-
During 1941 the Society contributed 10,000 doses of plague vaccine and Rs. 750 to China, Rs. 13,682-11-7 to Turkey for earthquake relief in Anatolia, Rs. 716-4-6 to Greece and Rs. 1 1/2 lakhs worth of surgical instruments to Russia. In India a sum of Rs. 1,000 was given for relief work in connection with the cyclone disaster in Bakarganj, Bengal.
Publicity and propaganda are carried on through the bi-monthly Journal of the Indian Red Cross Society and the Indian Junior.- Demonstrations and exhibitions are held.
There in also. a cinema section whose work comprises Film Production, Film Circulation Library work, Slide Production and Still Photography. The film "How Tuberculosis Spreads" was completed during 1941. The film "Prevention of Blindness". was taken in hand. There were also produced Over 3,000 coloured magic lantern slides on various health subjects, Still photographs and enlargements were also made Whenever required for publicity purposes.
Maternity and Child Welfare Bureau.-The Society also -maintains a Maternity and Child Welfare Bureau. Over 500 welfare centres in India are maintained or subsidized by or affiliated to the Society. The work of the Bureau comprises the maintenance of a Central Bureau of Information, the production of propaganda material, Army Child Welfare and the training of doctors, health visitors, dais. nursery school teachers and children's nurses. A new school, the Silver Jubilee Health School, Lucknow, was opened during 1941 bringing the number of aided health schools to four. A large number of dais received training under the auspices of the Victoria Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Junior Red Cross-The usual activities, viz., exchange of international correspondence albums, exhibitions and rallies were continued. All Inter-Provincial exchange of correspondence between Juniors was instituted. In addition to the "Indian Junior", the publication from headquarters, there are 4 other Junior magazines issued by Provincial Branches.
The campaign for the prevention of blindness was continued vigorously and courses of lectures were organised for teachers and the general public in various provinces.
Assistance to invalided ex-soldiers.-This work in regard to Imperial Forces was continued with the help of the British Red Cross and the Order of St. John, London. Indian ex-service men were assisted by the provincial branches through Soldiers Boards. The United Provinces Branch spent Rs. 200 on the treatment of 12 soldiers suffering from Tuberculosis. Assistance was also given to 40 invalided soldier, or their families who were not entitled to military pensions, etc.
The Indian Forces' Medical After Care Fund was instituted at headquarters to afford medical relief and other ameliorative measures for discharged soldiers of the present war.
Red Cross Boll of Trained Nurses -The Roll maintained for employment in civil emergencies was depleted by the demand created by the war. With the cooperation of the Trained Nurses Association of India and the Provincial Branches of the Red Cross the number on the Roll during 1941 was increased to 83 from 70 in 1940.
9. Ramkrishna Mission.-Its object is the relief of distress caused by poverty, old age, disease or death. It seeks out the old, infirm and disabled, purdanashin women and other distressed persons who are neglected.
The Mission runs hospitals, maternity homes and schools, renders relief during famines, floods and other such calamities. It has branches all over the country which are controlled by headquarters in regard to policy and supervision but are financially autonomous.
The work of the Ramkrishna Mission Home of Service, Benares, according to information supplied by the U. P. Govt. is summarised below :-
(a) Indoor Work-(1) A General Hospital with 115 beds for the poor and helpless; (2) a 25 bed refuge for invalid men; (3) a refuge for women invalids having 50 beds (4) paralytic cases treated under the Lachmi Narain Paralytic Cases Treatment Fund and (5) relief under Chandri Bibi Dharmasala Fund.
(b) Outdoor Work.-(1) Outdoor Dispensaries; (2) Outdoor help to invalids and helpless (3) special and occasional relief of other kinds.
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10. salvation Army in India.-The activities of the organization are spread over the whole of India. The work of the organisation covers generally the fields of Evangelism Social Service and Education. The more common activities are as follows:-
(i) Evangelical work, particularly amongst the "depressed classes".
(ii) Maintenance of settlements for the reformation of "Criminal tribes",
(iii) Maintenance of hospitals and dispensaries-some of them, well equipped and popular;
(iv) Maintenance of schools, colleges, industrial homes and homes for juveniles, and
(v) Organization of Leper colonies.
Other institutions maintained by the organization include agricultural and land colonies in the Punjab and Bombay; a soldiers and civilians' hostel in Delhi and a beggars' camp, a textiles factory and rescue homes for women and released prisoners in Bombay
11. Servant India Society.-The object of the Society is to train national missionaries and promote by all constitutional means the true interests -of the Indian people. Its social activities are rural uplift co-operation. uplift of depressed classes, relief work in famines and floods, etc., nation building activities generally, higher education, and education of women and adults. The Society co-operates with other associations in their social and political activities not inconsistent with their constitution.
12. Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, Bombay. The school provides a wide and stringent course spread over two years for the training of social workers and issues its own diplomas to the successful graduates.
13. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign in Foreign Parts.-The Society's social work in India has been in the educational, medical as well as industrial field. Some large colleges are maintained by the mission. In Bombay the S.P.G. missionaries have done very good work in an industrial settlement for the reformation of criminal tribes. The mission also maintains hospitals and dispensaries, etc. A good agricultural school in the United Provinces is maintained for the benefit of the Christian boys belonging to the mission.
14. Society for the Protection of Children in India- The Society assumes the custody of helpless children and delegates the care of them to institutions accommodating children. There are 123 such institutions in India and they look to the society as being in loco parents towards the children and refer to it for guidance in all matters affecting the welfare of the children.
15. St. John Ambulance Association (Indian Council).-A growingly large number of men and women from all sections of the community have come forward for training in First Aid, Home Nursing and Air Raid Precautions, and closer collaboration has been established with the Government Civil Defence Services by providing trained personnel for First Aid Posts etc. in connection with the local A.R.P. measures.
During 1941, 62,966 persons attended 3,656 courses of instruction in First Aid, Home Nursing, Hygiene and Sanitation, and Domestic Hygiene and Mothercraft and 43,482 qualified for the Association's certificates, namely, 39,739 in First Aid, 2,999 in Home Nursing, 556 in Hygiene and Sanitation and 188 in , Domestic Hygiene and Mothercraft. In addition 980 persons obtained voucher certificates by passing a second test in First Aid. 496 qualified for Medallions by passing the same examination for the third time 167 for Labels by passing further re-examinations in First Aid and 238 for Pendants by passing re-examinations in Home Nursing etc. In the A.R.P. course, 2,255 persons attended 121 classes, of whom 895 qualified for ordinary certificates, 184 for Instructors and 13 for Vouchers. 14,627 students were instructed in the Mackenzie School Course; 10,541 qualified for certificates.
The war has considerably increased the activities of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas. In addition to their normal civil work the, Ambulance and Nursing Divisions have undertaken, wherever possible, work more directly connected with war. The Transport Units provided by the Brigade at Bombay, Karachi and Madras rendered very useful service in the evacuation of hospital ships and in the removal of military cases. Some members of the Nursing Divisions are serving in military hospitals and others have joined the Auxiliary Nursing Service, while still others have been assisting in the training of the general public in the First Aid aspect of. A.R.P.
16. Tuberculosis Association of India-This Association which was established in 1939, and its affiliated branches in the provinces, are responsible for the administration of the King Emperor's Anti- Tuberculosis Fund. The central Organisation has prepared an anti- tuberculosis scheme of "organised home treatment." based on existing conditions in the country. The scheme includes the provision of treatment through clinics and sanatoria and also through close co- operation of these with private practitioners. Aftercare committees and colonies for patients who have suffered from the disease are also "envisaged. In 1941 a Sanatorium was opened at Kasauli. The Sanatorium, while providing up-to-date treatment for tuberculous patients from all parts of India, will also act as a teaching Centre for specialised training in tuberculosis. Propaganda and education in matters connected with the prevention of tuberculosis are also undertaken by the Association.
17. Visva-Bharati.-This is an international centre of education and social work at Santiniketan and maintains a separate institute at Sriniketan which concentrates on rural reconstruction work in eleven villages within a radius of 5 miles of Santiniketan. Its work consists in organisation and conduct of primary schools, adult education on a broad basic training of teachers health societies co- operative activities etc.
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PROVINCES. Assam.-No details of activities of social service agencies have been furnished.
Bengal-(a) Official Agency.-Rural Reconstruction Department.-The activities of this Department cover all aspects of rural life in Bengal. Adult education is a branch of social reconstruction work, and the work of the Department in this connection is more fully described in the report on the progress of adult education submitted separately. (Appendix " D).
In collaboration with the Calcutta University Institute the Department organised training in adult education and rural reconstruction generally, an exhibition and a course of lectures for the students of the University and colleges on the eve of the summer vacation_ when the students were going back to their villages. The Director of Rural Reconstruction lectured to the students on various topics including adult education and the contribution which students could make to it, drawing attention, to the need for the conscription of youth for social work, e.g, making it compulsory for every youth completing his education up to the Matriculation standard to give one year's national service before be is allowed to prosecute his studies further.
The Director of Rural Reconstruction, who is also the Chief Controller of the Juts Regulation, has given intensive training to about six thousand officers and workers of the Jute Regulation Department in rural reconstruction work, including adult education.
(b) Other voluntary agencies. (i) Provincial-Khadimul Insan Society.-It is a Muslim Organisation for the relief of humanity in general. Its activities are mostly confined to relief work in connection with cyclones, floods, famines and similar catastrophies.
(ii) Local. 1. Anjuman Mufidul Islam, Calcutta.-Its aims and objects include, inter alia, study of social and economic problems through discussion, burial of unclaimed corpses of Muslim dying in hospitals in Calcutta and assistance to the Muslim poor in the disposal of their dead and the organisation of such other social work as is consistent with the objects of the institution.