Special Plan For Youth of Hilly Area
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports implements Plan schemes for the promotion of Youth & Sports in all parts of the country, including hilly areas
For the development of youth in the country, the main schemes implemented by the Ministry are:-
(i) Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) :- This is a flagship programme of the Ministry whose main objective is to bring about social transformation in rural areas by promoting and developing among youth awareness and commitment to the concept and values of unity in diversity; national integration; community service; discipline and scientific temper; and providing avenues to youth to strive towards excellence in all spheres of activity.
(ii) National Service Volunteers Scheme (NSVS) and Rashtriya Sadbhawana Yojana (RSY) :- These two schemes provide opportunities to youth all over the country to participate in the implementation of various developmental programmes at the grassroots level.
(iii) National Service Scheme (NSS) :- NSS is at present the only Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry. NSS aims at the personality and character development of students in schools and colleges. Activities of NSS are implemented through the State Governments and the operations of NSS are at the University/ College and Higher Secondary School level. The objective of the NSS is to arouse in social conscience of students and provide them the opportunity of working with village people and slum dwellers.
(iv) Youth Hostels: - Youth Hostels are intended to provide low-cost budget accommodation to travelling youth groups to know more about the country and its diversity in people and culture.
(v) Schemes for financial assistance are implemented by the Ministry for the following activities:-
a) Promotion of adventure at basic, intermediate and advance level;
b) Promotion of national integration including National Youth Festivals, National Youth Awards and Inter-state Youth Exchange Programmes;
c) Promotion of Youth Activities and Training in the sphere of vocational training, entrepreneurship development and the organization of exhibitions; and
d) Development and Empowerment of Adolescents including life-skills, education, residential camps etc.
Likewise, for the development of sports in the country, the Ministry implements the following schemes through SAI:-
(i) All India Rural Sports Tournament: The scheme of Rural Sports Programme was launched in the year 1970-71 with a view to broad basing games and sports and to tap the hidden talent in rural areas. The scheme is being operated through SAI.
(ii) National Sports Festival for Women: The scheme of National Sports Festival for Women aims at arousing sports consciousness among women in the country. It is organized annually by the Government of India.
(iii) Scheme for Promotion of Sports & Games in Schools: This scheme is under operation since 1986. It was reviewed in 1992 with a view to raise the standard of sports at school-level and to encourage participation in inter-school competitions.
(iv) Sports Scholarships Scheme: - This scheme was started to recognize the achievements of young sports persons and their outstanding performance at the National, State, College and University levels. The sports disciplines covered under this scheme under the category of ‘priority sports’ are Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Rowing, Shooting, Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
Under the category of ‘other disciplines’, are Ball Badminton, Baseball, Billiards & Snooker, Bowling, Carrom, Chess, Cricket, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf, Kayaking & Canoeing, Karate, Powerlifting, Softball, Squash, Taekwondo, Wushu and Yatching.
As per norms, at least 75% of the total scholarships are to be awarded to the priority disciplines.
(v) North-East Sports Festival: - The scheme of North-East Sports Festival was launched by the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports in the year 1986-87 and is being operated through the SAI.
(vi) Other main Schemes relating to the promotion of Sports activities include cash awards and Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; National Sports Development Fund; National Sports Awards Schemes; and State Sports Academy Scheme.
(vii) Development of sports activities in the country is also catered through financial assistance to National Sports Federations by way of conducting national and international tournaments in India, participation of Indian Teams in tournaments and events abroad, provision of coaching through Indian and foreign coaches, backed-up with requisite technical support, procurement of equipments etc.
Under the ‘Panchayat Yuva Khel aur Krida Abhiyan’, which has received in principle approval of the Planning Commission and is being processed further, special attention will be paid to sports infrastructure and organized sports in all parts of the country, taking into consideration the special human endowments and geographical features of hill areas. The issue has also been addressed in the draft Comprehensive National Sports Policy, at present under discussion with stakeholders.
This information was given by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs & Sports and DoNER in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri Saman Pathak.
