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Youth Affairs and Sports
YOUTH
represent the most vibrant section of the society. They play a
pivotal role in socio-economic changes and development of the
society. A nation can progress only when the energy of youth
is channelised into constructive work. It is imperative that
youth are given a major role in the process of development. In
India, the youth form nearly one-third of the total
population. With the objective of fulfilling the aspirations
of this group and empowering them as the active and
constructive agents of positive change, the Department of
Youth Affairs and Sports has been implementing several
programmes.
YOUTH
SERVICES NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY:
The
National Youth Policy was formulated in 1988. The main
objectives of the Youth Policy are to instill in the youth
respect for the principles and values enshrined in our
Constitution; to promote an awareness of our historical
heritage; to help develop the qualities of discipline,
self-reliance, justice and fair play; and to provide them
access to education in addition to developing their
personality. It also aims at making the youth conscious of
international issues and involving them in promoting world
peace and a just international economic order. A need was,
however, felt for a new National Youth Policy geared not only
to the fast changing socio-economic scenario in the country
but also to address the future concerns of the youth. A new
national Youth Policy was accordingly drafted and circulated
to all ministries/departments of the Central Government, all
State governments, universities, youth wings of political
parties and voluntary organisations working in field of youth
concerns for their comments. Based on the views received, a
Draft New National Youth Policy has been prepared and is under
consideration of the Government. The Draft New Youth Policy
recognises that youth development is a multisectoral concept
and calls for an integrated approach. It stresses that the
youth should be given more access to the process of decision
making and implementation. It also defines the privileges and
responsibilities of youth. Some important objectives of the
Policy are to provide the youth with proper educational and
employment opportunities; to give access to all relevant
information; create adequate sports and other recreational
facilities; to create among the youth awareness about Indian
history, culture and heritage and to inculcate a scientific
temper in them. The draft policy has set out four thrust
areas, viz., Youth Empowerment, Gender Justice, Intersectoral
Approach and an Information and Research Network. The Policy
recognises the key sectors of concern for youth, such as
education,
training and employment, health and accords high priority to
certain categories of youth such as, youth with disabilities,
rural youth, unemployed youth and street children, etc. The
Policy also focuses on adolescent health, AIDS and sexually
transmitted diseases, nutrition, environment, sports,
recreation and leisure, art and culture, gender justice,
science and technology, civic sense and citizenship.
NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME:
National
Service Scheme, popularly known as NSS, was launched in
Gandhijis Birth Centenary Year 1969 in 37 universities
involving 40,000 students with primary focus on the
development of personality of students through community
service. Today NSS has about 15 lakh student volunteers on its
rolls spread over 189 universities and senior secondary
councils. From its inception, more than 1.52 crore students
from the universities, colleges and institutions of higher
learning have benefited from NSS activities as NSS volunteers.
Due to its overwhelming popularity and demand, the scheme was
extended to the students of + 2 level in selected
institutions. The National Service Scheme has two types of
programmes, viz., Regular Activities and Special Camping
Programme undertaken by its volunteers. Under Regular
Activities, students are expected to work as volunteers for
two years, rendering community service for a minimum of 120
hours per annum. The activities include constructive work in
adopted villages and slums, blood donation, adult and
non-formal education, health, nutrition, family welfare, AIDS
awareness campaigns, tree plantation, improvement of campuses,
etc. Under Special Camping Programme, a camp of 10-days
duration is conducted every year in the adopted areas on a
specific theme like Youth for Afforestation and Tree
Plantation, Youth for Rural Reconstruction, Youth for
Development, Youth for Mass Literacy, Youth for Social
Harmony, etc.
NEHRU YUVA KENDRA SANGATHAN:
Nehru Yuva
Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) is an autonomous organisation of the
Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. NYKS has its district
level offices in about 500 districts of the country. It has
become the largest grass-root level organisation in
Asia-Pacific Region, catering to the needs of more than 6.4
million rural female and male youth enrolled through 1.79 lakh
village based Youth Clubs, in the areas covering education,
training, health awareness, self employment, financial
assistance, etc. Besides this, awareness generation and
activities for the over all development of the rural
communities are also being taken up in the villages. For
implementation of the programmes, every district NYKS has a
network of trained cadre of District Youth Coordinators,
National Service Volunteers and Youth Leaders. The strength of
NYKS is its vast network of Youth Clubs at grassroots level.
Regular programmes of NYKS are: Youth Club development
programmes; vocational training programmes; awareness
campaign; work camp; celebration of National Youth Day and
Youth Week; sports promotion programmes and cultural
programmes. In collaboration with UNICEF, NYKS has taken up a
programme in Uttar Pradesh called youth action goal-2000,
which has five major components, known as Panch Parameshwar,
namely, child education, health and immunization, drinking
water, nutrition and family welfare. The programme is being
implemented in 9,000 village panchayats in Uttar Pradesh. In
collaboration with the Department of Women and Child
Development, Government of India, NYKS is implementing a
project entitled Mahila Samriddhi Yojana in 40 districts of
the country. NYKS in collaboration with National AIDS Control
Organisation has taken up AIDS campaign in 45 districts of
north-eastern States. NYKS also implements the following
schemes of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports: (a)
youth development centres; (b) financial assistance to Youth
Clubs; and (c) National Service Volunteer Scheme.
NATIONAL SERVICE VOLUNTEER SCHEME:
The
National Service Volunteer Scheme launched in 1977-78 aims at
providing opportunities to youth to involve themselves, on a
voluntary basis, in nation building activities for a year or
two. Any person who has completed his/her degree course and is
below 25 years of age may get himself/herself enrolled as a
National Service Volunteer (NSV) for one/two years. The
requirement of age and educational qualification can be
relaxed in case of SC/ST and women volunteers. Each volunteer
is paid a stipend of Rs 500 and a fixed travelling allowance
of Rs 200 per month in addition to a contingency grant of Rs
100 per year. At present, 8,500 NSVs are deployed with the
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, National Service Scheme, Bharat
Scouts and Guides, Youth Hostels Association of India, etc.
The State governments/UTs are also availing of the services of
these volunteers.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS:
The
scheme provides financial assistance to voluntary
organisations to involve youth for developmental activities
specially in the rural areas. Assistance is extended to
registered bodies, public trusts and non-profit making
companies. The main focus has been on vocational training
programme to promote self-employment for youth. Assistance is
also given for conducting youth leadership training programme
to promote cadres of young dynamic persons who would act as
catalysts of social change in the rural areas.
TRAINING OF YOUTH:
The Scheme
is being implemented through the voluntary organisations,
Nehru Yuva Kendras, NSS regional centres, educational
institutions and State governments/UT administrations. The
training covers a wide range of disciplines like agriculture,
animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, etc. Other training
programmes aimed at uplifting the functional capabilities of
the rural youth and preparing them for self-employment are
encouraged.
PROMOTION OF ACTIVITIES AMONG TRIBAL YOUTH:
In order
to promote youth activities among the youth of backward tribes
a special scheme was started during 1990-91. Under the scheme,
central assistance is given to voluntary organisations, NSS
regional centres, educational institutions including
universities, Nehru Yuva Kendras, Bharat Scouts and Guides and
also to State governments/UT administrations for conducting
youth leadership training programmes, vocational training for
self employment, so that they are in a position to seek
self-employment.
EXHIBITIONS FOR YOUTH:
The scheme
aims at:
(i)
projecting and recognising the activities and
contribution made by youth in various fields of national
development;
(ii)
promoting the spirit of secularism and national
integration;
(iii)
enabling youth to know more about the life and culture
of other parts of the country; and
(iv)
exhibitions of folk dances, folk songs, painting, art
and crafts, books, as well as on various development and youth
related schemes. Financial assistance is given to voluntary
organisations, NYK Sangathan, NSS regional centres,
educational institutions including universities, State
governments/ UTs. Such exhibitions are organised by the
Department of Youth Affairs and Sports itself.
RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT:
The
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development set up at
Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu) functions as an autonomous body for
coordinating and monitoring youth related activities in the
country. The Institute will also function as: (i) a research
agency and think-tank for youth programmes, policies and
implementation strategies; (ii) develop multi - faceted
programmes for youth; (iii) function as an institute for
advanced studies in the field of youth; (iv) function as a
Centre for documentation, information and publications
pertaining to youth development; and (v) work as a Resource
Centre.
SCOUTING AND GUIDING:
Scouting
and Guiding is an educational and international movement
aiming at developing the character of boys and girls. It
inculcates in them a spirit of patriotism, sympathy for others
and social service. Bharat Scouts and Guides mainly promotes
these activities in India. The Department of Youth Affairs and
Sports extends financial assistance. It is the third largest
youth organisation in the world with about 85,000 units having
23 lakh enrolments all over the country. The activities of
units include adult literacy, tree plantations, community
service, leprosy awareness, promotion of hygiene and
sanitation, etc.
PROMOTION OF ADVENTURE:
This
scheme aims at fostering in youth the spirit of risk-taking,
endurance, cooperative team work and encouraging quick, ready
and effective reflexes in challenging situations. Financial
assistance is provided to institutions, groups, individuals
and voluntary organisations for undertaking adventure
activities. The number of activities covered under the scheme
has been enlarged. During 1999-2000, major thrust has been on
providing financial assistance for creation of infrastructure
and promotion of Aero-sports and Water Sports.
PROMOTION OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION:
The Scheme
for Promotion of National Integration aims at providing
financial assistance for a variety of youth programmes aimed
at fostering national integration and communal harmony. The
scheme provides the framework for greater exchange and
understanding among youth of the various regions of the
country and for greater involvement of voluntary agencies in
the task of national integration. Inter-State Youth Exchange
programmes are also arranged to facilitate visit of youth
living and working in the border states
to states
with marked cultural differences and an exchange visit by
youth of those states to the border states. The funds are
channelised through voluntary youth organisations.
NATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL:
The Fifth
National Youth Festival was inaugurated by the Prime Minister
on 12 January 1999 in Lucknow. Nearly, 3,500 youth from all
over India participated. The Prime Minister conferred National
Youth Awards on the youth in recognition of their commendable
services for community welfare and social development.
YOUTH HOSTELS:
Youth
hostels are built to promote youth travel to enable the young
people experience the rich cultural heritage of our country.
The construction of Youth Hostels has been conceived as a
joint venture of the Central and State governments. While the
Central government bears the cost of the construction, the
State government provides developed land free of cost with
water, electricity, approach roads and staff quarters. Youth
Hostels, after completion, are handed over to the State
government for management. So far 56 Youth Hostels have been
constructed and 18 are under construction.
ASSISTANCE TO YOUTH CLUBS:
The scheme
of assistance to Youth Clubs was started in 1986-87. It is
being implemented through NYK Sangathan and State
governments/Union Territory administrations for assisting
newly set up Youth Clubs. The scheme of assistance to Sports
Clubs/Centres has been merged with the scheme of assistance to
Youth Clubs and is known as Scheme of Assistance to Rural
Youth and Sports Clubs.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRES:
In order
to promote participation of rural youth in development
activities, a new scheme for setting up of Youth Development
Centres for a group of 10 villages each was introduced during
1994-95. However, initially each centre may cover more than 10
villages. The centres are responsible for creation of
facilities for information, sports, training and youth
programmes for rural youth. The land for the centre is to be
donated by the Panchayat. One time financial assistance of not
more than Rs 30,000 is given to each centre for furniture,
equipment, etc. Each centre is managed by a Youth Committee.
This Scheme is being implemented through the NYK Sangathan.
AWARD TO OUTSTANDING YOUTH CLUBS:
With a
view to recognising the contribution of youth clubs and
motivating them for more active participation in the
nation-building endeavour, this scheme was introduced during
1992-93. It is being implemented through the Nehru Yuva Kendra
Sangathan. The scheme operates on a three-tier basis, i.e.,
district, state and national levels. At the district level the
winner receives an award of Rs 5,000 and at the State level Rs
20,000. At the national level, there are three awards of Rs
one lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000. The prize money is to be
used for implementation of community based projects.
SPORTS NATIONAL SPORTS POLICY:
The Policy
resolution is based on a time-bound programme to provide
infrastructure of sports and physical education in villages
and towns and provide appropriate equipments to sports
persons. It enjoins upon the governments to preserve
playfields and open space and emphasises the necessity of
effective training and competition programme for preparation
of national teams to participate in international
competitions.
ORGANIZATIONS SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA:
Sports
Authority of India (SAI) was established by the Government of
India in January 1984 as a registered society primarily to
ensure effective maintenance and optimum utilization of the
various sports infrastructure that were built in Delhi during
Asiad, 1982. It is now the nodel agency in the country for
broad basing sports and for training of sports persons to
achieve excellence in national and international sports arena.
In order to have only one government agency at the apex for
the promotion of sports, the Society for National Institute of
Physical Education and Sports (SNIPES) was merged with SAI
with effect from 1 May 1987. Subsequently, Netaji Subhash
National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala and its allied
centres at Bangalore, Calcutta and Gandhinagar and Lakshmibai
National College of Physical Education at Thiruvananthapuram
came under Sports Authority of India. It has now six regional
centres at Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Delhi
and Imphal. Its regional centre at Bangalore has been
developed as a Centre of Excellence. It has two sub-centres
at Guwahati under the north-eastern centre and at Aurangabad
under the western centre. The Sports Authority of India has a
number of sports schemes/ programmes under implementation.
Under the spotting and nurturing of talent project, SAI has
National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC), adoption of akharas for
promotion of wrestling, and Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
scheme to scout talent in the age group of 8-14 years to
provide them systematic training with scientific back-up. The
scheme to extend the talent scouting to Kendriya Vidyalayas,
Navodaya Vidalayas, large-size residential schools and public
sector townships has also been approved recently. SAI
also has a
scheme for promotion of sports in special areas, national
coaching scheme. In addition, SAI implements a number of
Central schemes. Recently, steps have been taken for setting
up of regional and national academics for different sports
disciplines with a number of public and private sector
undertakings.
LAKSHMIBAI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
The
Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education formerly
known as the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education
was established by the Government of India on 17 August 1957,
the centenary year of War of Independence. The Institute is
located at Gwalior where Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a valiant
heroine of Independence war laid down her life. It has been
de-linked from the Sports Authority of India and is registered
under Societies Registration Act 1973. The Institute has been
declared as a deemed to be university in the field of Physical
Education. During 1997-98, the Institute, co-educational and
fully residential institution, offered the following full time
courses: (i) Bachelor of Physical
Education
(three-year degree course); (ii) Master of Physical Education
(two year degree course) for in-service teachers; and (iii) M.
Phil. in Physical Education (one-year degree course). The
total number of graduates, post graduates, M. Phil. Students
and Ph.D from the Institute till the academic year 1997 are
2,816, 1,485, 186 and 112 respectively. A total of 30 research
projects have been approved for M.PE and M.Phil. during
current academic year.
GRANTS FOR CREATION OF SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE:
The
Central government supplements efforts of the State
governments, State sports councils, etc., towards improving
and creating infrastructural facilities for sports. Grants are
given for construction of stadiums, swimming pools, gymnasia,
sports complexes, etc. Mostly, financial assistance is given
on a sharing basis of 50:50 between the Centre and the
sponsoring agency, subject to specified limits, through
concerned States/Union Territories. For hilly/ tribal areas,
the Central contribution is 75 per cent subject to a maximum
of certain specified ceiling. Scope of this scheme has since
been enlarged to assist the State governments in creation of
State level sports complexes and Sports Project Development
Area (SPDA). So far 16 such complexes, one each in Goa, Pune,
Bhopal, Jaipur, Bhubneswar, Chennai, Shimla, Lucknow, Agartala,
Nagaland, Manipur, Faridabad, Purnea, Gwalior, Patna and
Jengging have been approved. During 1998-99, assistance was
also rendered for 50 projects comprising State level sports
complexes, swimming
pools,
indoor/outdoor stadiums and playfields. Financial assistance is
also given for development of basic sports facilities in rural
schools. To begin with, one school will be selected in each
block/taluka at a place other than district or sub-division
headquarters and Central assistance up to rupees one lakh
fifty thousand is given for purchase of consumable and
non-consumable sports equipments and development of
playground. During 1998-99, 84 schools have been sanctioned
grant amounting to Rs 77,02,542.
GRANTS FOR SYNTHETIC TRACKS/ARTIFICIAL SURFACES:
The
Central government was giving grants for laying of synthetic
tracks and artificial surfaces for hockey and other synthetic
surfaces for volleyball, basketball, tennis, etc. With a
number of synthetic surfaces having come up backed by
financing from State governments, local bodies, etc., the
Central government has now decided to concentrate only on
hockey turfs and athletics tracks. Accordingly the Central
assistance for laying synthetic track/artificial hockey
surfaces or replacement of old tracks/surfaces has been fixed
for 50 per cent of the cost or Rs one crore, which ever is
less.
PROMOTION OF SPORTS IN THE UNIVERSITY SECTOR:
A scheme
of grants for promotion of Sports in universities/colleges was
revised with effect from 22 June 1998. Tournaments in the
disciplines of archery, yachting, kayaking and canoeing, etc.,
have been introduced; raising the number of disciplines, for
prize money from 13 to 20. The Association of Indian
universities oversees organisation of coaching camps, sports
competitions among college and university students and
preparation of Indian university contingents for international
competition. The university winning first position in
inter-university tournaments held throughout the year is
awarded Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy by the President of
India, besides a cash incentive of Rs 1,00,000.
NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL FOR WOMEN:
The scheme
started in 1975 aims at promoting sports among women. The
National Sports Festival organised by Sports Authority of
India has now become a significant National Competition for
women. Financial assistance is given at the rate of Rs 1,000
per block, Rs 3,000 per district and Rs 10,000 for State-level
tournament for larger States and Rs 5,000 for smaller States.
SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME:
Sports
Talent Search Scholarship scheme launched in 1970-71 has
culminated in Sports Scholarship Scheme 1997. National level,
State level and university/ college level scholarships at the
rate of Rs 600, Rs 450 and Rs 750 per month respectively are
given under the scheme.
ASSISTANCE TO PROMISING SPORTS PERSONS:
An
on-going scheme has been revised to provide assistance to
promising sports persons. The selected sports persons holding
national records in the priority disciplines will be provided
a package of assistance up to Rs five lakh per year for
coaching, equipment, participation in national and
international tournaments, etc., on a long term basis. The
coaches, sports scientists and other sports persons would also
be assisted for up-gradation of their skill and assisting the
promising sports persons for achieving excellence in
international level.
AWARDS:
The Arjuna
Award was instituted in 1961 as the highest national
recognition conferred on distinguished sports persons. The
award consists of a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a scroll, a
cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a ceremonial dress. Arjuna Awards
for the year 1997 were presented by the President of India to
20 outstanding sports persons at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 29
August 1998. So far 491 sports persons have been given the
Awards. Dronacharya Awards, instituted in 1985, are given to
coaches who have trained sports persons or teams making
outstanding achievements in the year for which the award is
given and consistently have very good achievements to their
credit for three preceding years. Provisions have been added
to the scheme for considering those who have contributed their
lifetime to raising the standards of sports coaches. It
comprises a statuette, a scroll, ceremonial dress and a tie in
addition to a cash prize of Rs 75,000.
GRANTS TO NATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS:
The
Department gives financial assistance to 59 recognized
National Sports Federations for conducting National Sports
Championship at sub-junior, junior and senior level at the
rate of Rs three lakh, Rs two lakh and Rs one lakh
respectively. Financial assistance to priority and general
category of sports disciplines is also provided for
participation in international sports
tournaments/championships abroad and also for organising
international tournaments in India.
INCENTIVES FOR PROMOTION OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES:
(1) Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Under this scheme an amount of Rs one
lakh is given as award for the most spectacular and
outstanding performance in the field of sports by an
individual sports person or a team. Sachin Tendulkar,
cricketer was given this award for 1997-98.
(2)
Special Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events
and their Coaches: To attract the young generation to take
sports as a career and to encourage the outstanding sports
persons for even higher achievements, special awards to medal
winners of international sports events and their coaches were
introduced in 1986. The amount of awards has recently been
revised which ranges from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 75 lakh.
(3)
Pension to Meritorious Sports Persons: Under the scheme
launched in 1994 pension is given to winners of medals in
Olympic, World Cup and World Championship and Gold Medal in
Asian and Commonwealth Games. While Olympic Games medalists
and Gold medalists of World Cup and World Championship are
given Rs 2,500 per month, the medalists of World Cup and World
Championship and Gold Medalists of Asian Games and Common
Wealth Games get Rs 2,000 as monthly pension. Pension is given
on attaining the age of 30 years which continues till their
lifetime. At present 202 sports persons are getting their
pensions.
(4)
Promotion of Sports in Schools: The scheme was launched in
1986 with the objectives of promoting sports in schools. It
has been designed to generate interest in sports and games in
school children and place greater emphasis on the organisation
of tournaments at various levels. For organising State level
tournaments, the State governments are given Rs two lakh while
for inter-school tournaments they get Rs 50,000 for one
district.
NATIONAL WELFARE FUND FOR SPORTS PERSONS:
National
Welfare Fund for sports-persons was created in 1982 primarily
to assist sports persons of yester years who are living in
indigent circumstances. Financial support is generally in the
form of a monthly pension up to Rs 2,500. Lump-sum grants are
also given for medical treatment. The sports persons suffering
from grevious and fatal injuries in the course of
participation in sports events during training are also
helped.
RURAL SPORTS PROGRAMME:
The scheme
of Rural Sports Programme was launched in 1970-71 and is being
operated by SAI. The scheme lays emphasis on arranging
tournaments in rural areas and at the block, district, state
and national levels. It also includes special component for
the North-Eastern Region, i.e., North Eastern Sports Festival.
For the organisation of State/UT levels tournaments, an
assistance of Rs 30,000 per discipline is given to the State
governments and Rs 15,000 per discipline to the Union
Territories. Financial assistance of Rs two lakh per
discipline is made available to SAI for organizing tournaments
in various states by rotation. For North-Eastern Sports
Festival, Rs eight lakh is given to SAI for holding the
tournaments annually. A provision of Rs 4.50 crore has been
made in the Ninth Plan.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION:
International cooperation in the field of sports and physical
education took a big leap forward, providing the much-needed
opportunities of foreign exposure to national teams and
coaching/training abroad. The Government of India procured the
services of international coaches/sports persons by way of
bilateral agreements under cultural exchange programmes/sports
protocols with the concerned countries. The foreign coaches
are paid salaries, medical expenses, air-fare, etc., during
their contract/employment in India.
UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEER SCHEME:
United
Nations Volunteer (UNV) Scheme is a scheme of UNDP operating
throughout the world. It seeks to accelerate the development
of underdeveloped countries by providing skilled manpower of
developed/developing countries at low costs. India has been
participating in it since its inception in 1971. India also
contributes financially to the Special Voluntary Fund of UNDP
and its present annual contribution is US dollar 15,000. At
present, 53 Indian nationals are working abroad as UNV and 116
are on the Rosters of UNDP awaiting assignment. The 5th of
December is celebrated as the International Volunteers Day.
The scheme also envisages posting of social service volunteers
among the countries of Asia and the Pacific region to work at
grass-root level to assist in the local self-help efforts of
rural areas and urban slums in participating countries. This
is known as UNV (DDS - Domestic Development Service) Scheme.
At present, 13 Indian DDS volunteers are working in Bangla
Desh and Sri Lanka. UNDP proposes to celebrate 2001 as the
International Year of Volunteers worldwide.
NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND:
A National
Sports Development Fund has been set up to mobilize financial
resources from Government, corporate and private sector as
well as individuals for promotion of sports. The Department
has contributed Rs two crore during 1998-99 and also made a
provision of Rs two crore during 1999-2000.
CHRONOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS:
1957 The
Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education
established initially as college.
1961 The
Arjuna Award instituted.
1969
National Service Scheme (NSS) launched (2 October).
1970-71
Rural Sports programme launched. Sports Talent Search
Scholarship Scheme launched.
1972 Nehru
Yuva Kendras came into operation for improving the personnel
and employment capability of non-students and rural youth.
1977-78
The National Service Volunteer Scheme launched.
1982
National Welfare Fund for sportspersons and their families set
up.
1984 The
Department of Sports re-designated as the Department of Youth
Affairs and Sports.
The
Sports Authority of India (SAI) set up.
1986-87
Assistance to Youth Club scheme started.
1988
National Youth Policy evolved and tabled in the Parliament.
1991-92
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award scheme launched.
1994
Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons Scheme
launched.
1994-95
Scheme for setting up of Youth Development Centres for a group
of 10 villages each introduced.
1999 The
Fifth National Youth Festival formally inaugurated by the
Prime Minister in Lucknow (12 January) |
