(d) Professional and Technical Education
There
is no teachers’ training institution in the district.
There is no institution for
imparting medical education in the district.
Technical education has an important role in the industrial development of the district. To ensure steady flow of technical personnel for meeting the industrial activities, a number of technical colleges/institutions and industrial training centres/institutes (both for boys and girls) run at various places in the State. These institutions prepare students for degree/diploma courses in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. In the industrial training centres/institutes, training is imparted to the students in various trades/crafts, viz. welding, carpentry, fitting, turnery, black-smithy, stenography, draftsmanship, etc. The crafts taught to the girls are tailoring, cutting, hand embroidery, needle work and machine embroidery, etc. Separate Centres for imparting industrial training to students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and other Backward Classes are also run by the Industries Department, Punjab.
The
particulars regarding the government industrial institutes in the district have
been given in the chapter on ‘Industries’.
Besides, there is a Government Polytechnic at Batala which runs three
courses of three years’ duration in electrical, mechanical and civil
engineering. Every year, it takes 120
trainees who are awarded diplomas.
Physical
education has long been recognized as a necessary component in a programme of
education. Due attention is paid
towards games, sports, tournaments and other extra-curricular activities. The physical educator teaches the activities
that help young children build healthy bodies and lay the foundation for
emotional balance and good social adjustment.
It has been made a part of recreational activities included in the
school time-table. General health, good
nutrition, organic vigour and muscular strength, speed and co-ordination are
the fundamental indications of this objective.
The
aim of physical fitness primarily is to make a unique contribution to the
individual’s optimum growth and development physiologically and, secondly to
contribute to such psychological and sociological development and adjustment as
is possible through participation in vigorous physical activities according to
social and hygienic standards. In high
and higher secondary schools, a P.T/I. (Physical Training Instructor) is in
charge of physical education, while in middle or primary schools, a few J. B. T. teachers look after this work. These teachers are also provided with
special training in physical education.
In the colleges, it is directed and guided by the Physical Directors.
The
Assistant Education Officer for physical training assists the District
Education Officer in the promotion of physical education in the district. He supervises and guides physical education
in the schools. In order to check up
physical and medical health and normal growth of students, annual
physico-medical test is compulsory for all students. Physical defect like flat feet, hollow chest, pigeon chest, knock
knees, etc. are corrected through remedial exercise in the schools and
colleges.
Besides
the above, the following schemes, under separate departments, also promote the
cause of physical education :-
1.
Promotion of
Sports and Games by the State Sports Department
2.
National
fitness Corps, sponsored by the Government of India
3.
National
Cadet Corps
4.
Bharat
Scouts and Guides
(1) Promotion of Sports and Games. – Games
and sports are considered a necessary part of student’s education and training
for life. To spread the gospel of
sports in all parts of the State, more emphasis is laid on the activities in
the field. At the district level, the
District Sports Officer is incharge of sports activities, arragement of
coaching schemes and matches, and similar work for the educational
institutions. Tournaments and general
sports competitions are encourged and conducted on a large scale for boys and
girls.
In
educational institutions the development of body is equally important as the
development of brain. The sports, games
and athletics form an integral part of education. Sports cultivate among the students spirit of co-operation, team
work and discipline. In the colleges
and schools, the sportsmen distinguishing themselves in various games are not
only awarded prizes and colours but also granted fee concessions and other
facilities in deserving cases. From
time to time, the distinguished players (both boys and girls) are also sent for
training to various coaching centres.
The
coaches of the Sports Department also pay visits to the educational
institutions, both in urban and rural areas, to spot out sports talent and broad-base the coaching
activities. Camps are specially
organized to provide off-season conditioning to prominent sportsmen/sportswomen
of the State. Expenditure on board and
lodging facilities and standard equipment during these camps is borne by the
department. Holding of festival
competitions in various parts has been the distinct addition to the activities
of the department. Financial grants are
given to the various sports associations to subsidize their own resources for
their day to day activities, viz. holding of important tournaments and
participation in the national and other inter-State Tournaments. Grants have also been extended for the lay
out of playgrounds in the rural areas.
Besides, handsome amount has been spent on construction of new stadia
and maintenance of the existing ones.
Sports Grading Certificates are issued to enable the outstanding
sportsmen/women to get admission in medical and technical institutions. There is a sports stadium at Gurdaspur.
The
following sports associations are functioning in the district :-
This
association has been functioning in the district since 1950. Its aims and objectives are to promote,
organize, control and co-ordinate sports and games activities. The membership of the association is open to
all those interested in sports by paying annual contribution as fixed by the
District Olympic Association from time to time. The Deputy Commissioner is the ex-officio President of the
association and the General Assistant
to the Deputy Commissioner is the ex-officio Secretary.
The
association collects its funds by organizing matches at the district
level. The funds are also supplemented
by donations from various firms, companies and undertakings.
The
association gives financial help to various games associations for organizing
matches, etc., provided they are its regular members. It also renders financial help to the individual talented
sportsmen/players. An all-India
athletic meet was organized under the auspices of this association in January
1971 at Gurdaspur.
This
association started functioning in 1962.
Many of its players were selected for taking part in various national
and international test matches and tournaments. In 1964 and 1971, the association arranged for the State championship
at Gurdaspur and Dhariwal, respectively.
It also took part in State level and India level tournaments.
(2) National Fitness Crops. – This
department was put into operation in the beginning of 1963, as recommended by
the Kunzru Committee, by merging National Discipline Scheme, Auxiliary Cadet
Corps and Physical Education. Before
this, it was known as National Discipline Scheme which was started in the year
1954. It aims at developing alround
personality of the students mentally, morally and physically. It also helps to bring about the national
integration through national emotional songs and by adopting inter-State
culture, i.e. dances, songs, etc.
At
this stage, the activities taught to the students in the schools (both boys and
girls) are drill marching, physical exercises, lezim, games and relays,
track and field events, gymnastics and malkhumb, national emotional
songs, national anthem and national flag, tippri, yoga and cultural activities.
The
activities taught under the National Fitness Crops Programme inculcate
discipline obedience, patriotism, firmness, steadiness, national integration
and self confidence.
The
total strength of the students under this department in the high and higher
secondary schools of the Gurdaspur District, as on March 31, 1972, was 31,239
boys and 7,536 girls
(3)
National Cadet Corps.- Military training forms a vital feature of the development programme of
an independent nation. It essentially provides the second line of defence and
arouses a preparedness in the youth to defend the country. With a view to stimulate the interest of
youth in the defence of the country and inculcate the sense of responsibility
and discipline among them, National Cadet Corps was started in 1948. Since then
it has built up a reserve of potential manpower and gained popularity in all
the states of the country to enable the armed force to expend rapidly in a
national emergency. The National Cadet Corps training broadness the outlook of
the students and develops in them the qualities of self-disciple, leadership,
self reliance and determination.
The National Cadet Crops offers an opportunity to cadets to develop character, comradeship, the ideal of service and capacity for leadership. It also provides service training to stimulate interest in the defence of the country. The motto of the National Cadet Crops is ‘Unity and Discipline’. Its training syllabus includes weapon training, map reading drill-field craft, tactics, hygiene, sanitation, basic training of infantry, first aid and citizenship. The National Cadet Crops is, however, of special attraction for those students who wish to adopt defence service as a career. Camps are organized to provide an opportunity to introduce cadets to outdoor community life.
The Number of students on the rolls
in the National Cadet Crops in the district, as on March 31, 1972 was as under:
|
|
|
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Senior Division |
.. |
1,797 |
129 |
1,926 |
|
Junior Division |
.. |
2,424 |
70 |
2,494 |
(4)
Bharat Scouts and Guides.- This
organization trains boys and girls in the principles and practice of the scout
movement. Training camps are held for
teachers and students. The training imparted inculcates in the trainees
self-help, discipline and spirit of feeling for good service to all at all
time. The boys and girls trained in
this movement turn out to be good and useful citizens. They are also taught first-aid. They render service at festivals,
exhibitions, etc. in maintaining order and also render aid to the helpless, the
sick and the wounded.
With
the District Education Officer as its Chairman, the District Scouts and Guides
Association is run by a District Organizer (Scouts) who manages the affairs
within the district and guides the scouting activities to run on sound
lines. The total strength of the Bharat
Scouts and Cubs in the district, as on March 31, 1972, was 5,680 (scouts 640
and cubs 5,040).
Besides Kala Kendra, Gurdaspur, there seems to be no other academy/centre for the cultivation of fine arts in the district. The Kala Kendra provides training in music, both vocal and instrumental, in addition to dancing. It is housed in its own building near the Nehru Park and provides an open-air theatre for concerts arranged by the children under training. However, as a part of extra-curricular activities, some girls’ institutions also provide facilities for the cultivation of fine arts like music, dancing, painting, drawing, flower-making. There is an auditorium/drama hall at Batala where functions are held from time to time.
(g) Oriental Schools and
Colleges
Mention may be made here of Shri Bhagwan Narain Sanskrit College at the Vaishanavite shrine at Talibpur Pindori and the Sanskrit Mahavidyala at the Dayanand Math at Dinanagar. Both of these run classes for Pragya, Visharad and Shastri examinations, for which these are affiliated to the Punjab University, Chandigarh.
(h) Education for the
Handicapped
No such facilities are available in the district.
(i) Adult Literacy, Social
Education and Measures for the Diffusion of Culture among the Masses.
There is no such education centre in the district.
(j) Cultural and
Literary Societies and Periodicals Cultural and Literary Societies
Cultural
Societies
All colleges/schools have different types of societies and cubs which aim at the spread of cultural activities among the students. The schools and colleges also drawn up interesting cultural programmes and participate in the national functions. During the Navratra days, Ram Lila is staged at important places in the district. The cultural and literacy societies, functioning in the district are mentioned as below:
The most important cultural society existing in the district as the Krishna Natak Club, Pathankot. It is a registered body and was started in 1955. This institution was established in order to provide spiritual enlightenment to the public at large. Historical dramas and Ram Lila are staged by this institution. Religious functions like Janamastmi, Ram Naumi, Basant Panchmi, etc. are also organized and performed by this society.
Besides the above, the following cultural societies also exist in the district. Apart from staging Ram Lila etc. their activities include speeches, debates, plays, songs and music:
Hindu Yuvak Sabha, Gurdaspur
Ram Natak Club, Old Bazaar, Gurdaspur
Ram Natak Club, Anaj Mandi, Gurdaspur
Bajrang Club, Hanuman Mandir, Gurdaspur
Navyuvak Club, Gurdaspur
Literacy
Societies
Among the literacy societies functioning in the district, the following may be mentioned: -
Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Batala.- Started in 1968, it aims at guiding and encouraging the writing of stories, poems, essays, etc. It holds monthly meetings where discussions are held on the writing of its members. Thus, it is doing useful service for the development of literature and language through its combinations.
In 1971-72, the society had fifteen members, one of whom was a national award holder. The members also take part in the functions held and outside the district.
Punjabi Likhari Sabha, Batala.- The main functions of this society are to hold literary meetings and to guide and encourage young writers through constructive discussion/criticism on their writings.
Besides the above, a few other literary societies are : Shait Sabha, Gurdaspur ; Punjabi Literary Society, Batala; and Anjuman-i-Taraqi-i-Urdu, Gurdaspur.
Periodicals
For particulars regarding, the periodicals, etc. published in the district, refer to chapter XVIII, Public Life and Voluntary Social Service Organization ;
Libraries
Libraries movement is an important educational activity that reflects the state of education and helps to promote and spread education among the people both in urban and rural areas. After the Independents, because of the intensive literacy drive, the introduction of compulsory education and the availability of liberal grants from the Government, the library movement gathered momentum and the number of libraries started by the pancharyats and panchayat samitis in the district rose to 146 in 1971-72. Besides, every town in the district has also got a library or a reading room.
The libraries help the people to develop their latent talents and become potential personalities in the educational fields. These are temples of learning which enshrine wisdom of all ages and throw open wide vistas of knowledge to the seekers. The following types of libraries are functioning in the district :-
District Library, Gurdaspur. - Established in 1966, this library is under the control of State Librarian, Patiala. It has 7,274 books in different languages on different topics.
Panchayat Libraries. – After the Independents, the library movement rapidly spread in the villages. Generally, every panchayat in the district maintains a small library/reading room for the promotion of education and general knowledge among the people in the rural areas. These are doing useful service to the people at large in the field of education.
Municipal Libraries. – All the Municipalities in the district, viz. Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Dinanagar, Batala, Qadian, Sujanpur, Dhariwal, Srigobindpur, Fatehgarh Churian and Dera Baba Nanak, maintain liAll the Municipalities in the district, viz. Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Dinanagar, Batala, Qadian, Sujanpur, Dhariwal, Srigobindpur, Fatehgarh Churian and Dera Baba Nanak, maintain libraries and reading rooms for public use. These libraries have good collection of books and periodicals in different languages. These also subscribe to a number of daily newspapers, weeklies, fortnightlies and monthly magazine.
School and College Libraries. – The libraries in all the high/higher secondary schools and colleges in the district are well maintained to satisfy the needs of the young students and teachers. These also provide reading room facilities to the students. The reading room in the schools and colleges subscribe regularly to the leading English and vernacular dailies and Indian and Foreign periodicals and journals which cater to all varieties of tastes and interests. These libraries remain open during the school/college hours for the benefit of the students.
Besides, the above, a few important libraries in the district may be mentioned as under :
Prathna Pustkalya, Batala. – It is maintained by the Dainik Prathna Sabha, Batala. Originally started in 1946 in the Moti Bazar, the library shifted to its own building in the Kila Mandi in 1951. It also runs two other reading rooms in the town. The library has about 16,000 books on various subjects. It subscribes to 9 daily papers and 25 weekly/monthly magazines. The Municipal Committee, Batala gives an annual grant of Rs 1,500 to the library.
Museums, etc.
There is no museum, botanical garden or zoological garden in the district.
APPENDIX I
Educational
institutions and scholars at primary stage in the Gurdaspur District as on
March 31,1972
|
School |
|
Number of institutions |
Number of Scholars |
||||||||
|
|
Government |
Private |
Total |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Primary School |
.. |
663 |
39 |
14 |
.. |
667 |
39 |
716 |
40,415 |
34,236 |
74,651 |
|
Basic Primary Schools |
.. |
168 |
2 |
.. |
.. |
168 |
2 |
170 |
18,227 |
9,215 |
27,442 |
|
Total |
.. |
831 |
41 |
14 |
.. |
885 |
41 |
886 |
58,642 |
43,415 |
1,02,093 |
(Source: - District Education Officer, Gurdaspur)
APPENDIX II
Educational
institutions and scholars at secondary stage in the Gurdaspur District as on
March 31,1972
|
School |
|
Number of institutions |
Number of Scholars |
||||||||
|
|
Government |
Private |
Total |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Higher Secondary Schools |
.. |
5 |
2 |
9 |
2 |
14 |
4 |
18 |
13,025 |
5,817 |
18,942 |
|
High Schools |
.. |
58 |
11 |
23 |
9 |
81 |
20 |
101 |
3,26,057 |
18,321 |
50,926 |
|
Middle Schools |
.. |
91 |
12 |
1 |
2 |
92 |
4 |
106 |
26,525 |
14,218 |
40,743 |
(Source: - District Education Officer, Gurdaspur)
MEDICAL
AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
© |
|
|
(d) |
|
|
(e) |
(a) Public Health and Medical Facilities in
Early Times
The old Indian system of medicine, known as the Ayurveda has been practised here since ancient times. With the advent of the Muslim rule, the Unani system of medicine was also introduced into the country. Both these systems remained popular and were practised side by side. A good number of Hakims lived at Batala which was a centre of learning.
The allopathic system of medicine was introduced in this region with the advent of the British rule in the middle of the nineteenth century. In course of time, it became very popular on account of the State patronage and researches carried out all over the world. For sometime past, homoeopathy is also becoming popular especially for chronic diseased and in case of children and infants.
In 1904, there were 13 dispensaries in the Gurdaspur District, which treated 2,08,766 outdoor patients and 1,537 indoor patients, and performed 7,268 operations. The number of dispensaries had risen to 18 in 1913. In 1971, there were 42 allopathic medical institutions in the Gurdaspur District, out of which 26 were in rural areas and 16 in urban areas. The population served per institution in the district was 29,925 as compared to 25,269 in the State as a whole. The average area covered per institution was 5.193 km in the district as compared to 5.468 km in the State as a whole. The number of doctors in the district was 230 as compared to 5,239 in the State as a whole. The population served per doctor in the district was 5,336, as compared to 2,585 in the State as a whole.
Of late, the Government is giving better recognition to the indigenous systems of medicine, viz. Ayurvedic and Unani, to make these popular. The number of Ayurvedic dispensaries in the district increased from one in 1953-54 to 18 in 1965 and 26 (23 Ayurvedic and 3 Unanit) in 1971. Each dispensary is under the charge of a Vaid or Hakim, who is under the direct administrative control of the Director of Ayurveda, Punjab.
The birth rate, death rate and infantile mortality rate in the Gurdaspur District, during the ten years from 1963 to 1972, is given in the following table :-
|
Year (Calendar Year) |
|
Birth rate per thousand population |
Death rate per thousand population |
Infantile mortality rate under one year of age against per thousand live births |
|
1963 |
.. |
35.58 |
10.90 |
97.14 |
|
1964 |
.. |
35.61 |
11.33 |
105.34 |
|
1965 |
.. |
36.14 |
10.02 |
77.18 |
|
1966 |
.. |
34.69 |
9.82 |
76.61 |
|
1967 |
.. |
33.76 |
9.09 |
72.97 |
|
1968 |
.. |
29.99 |
8.74 |
75.19 |
|
1969 |
.. |
32.42 |
8.58 |
71.00 |
|
1970 |
.. |
29.95 |
8.40 |
64.08 |
|
1971 |
.. |
29.47 |
7.50 |
64.61 |
|
1972 |
.. |
29.15 |
7.39 |
55.10 |
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1972 to 1974)
The registration of vital statistics is compulsory. In the rural areas, the Chowkidars maintain ‘Birth and Death Registers’. Similar records are also maintained by the municipalities in the urban areas. Besides, the procedure provides a dependable record of growth of population. This helps in visualizing the scope of measures to be taken to check the mortality rate and also to devise ways and means to effect family planning, etc. The Chief Medical Officer of the district compiles this data.
In `965, the birth rate per rate thousand persons in the district was the highest during the period from 1963 to 1970. Since then, with the exception of the year 1969, the birth rate has been continuously decreasing. This has been due to the family planning programme launched by the Government. The continuous rise in the prices of the commodities and the improvement in the standard of living have also been responsible for decrease in the birth rate which was the lowest in 1972. The death rate in 1972 was also the lowest, i.e. 7.39 per thousand persons. The infantile morality rate in the district was the highest in 1964. With the increased availability of medical facility, it gradually decreased and was the lowest in 1972.
Important causes of Morality.- The important causes of mortality, in the district are fever, dysentry, respiratory diseases, etc. The table at Appendix I, page 396, gives the statistics regarding some of the important causes of deaths.
(c) Diseases common to the District
(i) Fevers. – The largest number of mortality is caused by fevers, which include ordinary fevers, influenza, typhoid, malaria and other miscellaneous fevers. These fevers are, generally, caused by the unhygienic conditions, infection, malnutrition and imbalanced diet. These factors cause low resistance in a man and he becomes more prone to infections. The insanitary conditions in rural and urban areas contribute substantially to the increase of infectious and contagious disease. In the past, fevers were remedied with the use of miscellaneous types of medicines including quinine. But now, their place has been taken by sulpha-drugs and antibiotics which have been found very effective. The waterlogging, stagnant waters, surface drainage and piled refuse caused mosquito breeding and thousands of persons used to die of malaria every year. Quinine was freely distributed in the rural area.. due to the eradication of malaria, the distribution of quinine has been stopped. It is easier to overcome the insanitary problems but very difficult to change the food habits of the people and supplement imbalanced diet. The Government can, at best, eliminate insanitary problems and carry-out propaganda for balanced diet.
(ii) Respiratory Diseases. – Next to fevers come the respiratory diseases which take the heaviest toll in the district. Unhygienic conditions, dingy residential accommodation, polluted air and contaminated water due to mixing of industrial wastes, are the main causes. The rapid industrialization of Batala and urbanization of Pathankot have further worsened it. Smoke, may be from hearth or chimney, is a constant source of irritation to the eyes, throat and lungs. The irritation causes trachoma and disease of lungs, and even tuberculosis.
Allergic disease, like bronchitis and asthama are also caused by unhealthy air polluted by smokes, etc. Poisonous industrial wastes also pollute the atmosphere and water and cause respiratory diseases.
In order to check the spread of such diseases, the Indian Factories Act, 1948, lays down that there should be proper disposal of gases in the atmosphere and any harmful wastage should be removed to such far distant places, where it does not affect the public health. Presently, industry is located in the interior of the Batala town and it will take a long time for its being shifted outside the town. There is no such problem in Pathankot. The new urban estate at Batala would solve the problem to a considerable extent and ease the congestion.
(iii) Malaria. – The district being flood-affected, malaria was very common. Prior to the launching of National Malaria Control Programme in 1953, quinine tablets were freely distributed in the villages during the malaria season by the Public Health staff and all preventive measures were adopted. A Malaria Unit was established at Gurdaspur under the programmes in 1953 to undertake malaria control operations in endemic areas of the district.
The unit was switched over to the National Malaria Eradication Programme in 1958. Prior to 1962, it covered the hypo-endemic areas of both the districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur. On the reorganization of the unit, it was limited to the Gurdaspur District as a whole and in addition to it the Ajnala Tahsil of Amritsar District. The total population of 11,62,143 (Census, 1961) irrespective of the hyper-endemic or hypo-endemic areas, was covered by this unit for the eradication of malaria.
Under the National Malaria Eradication Programme, by 1960-61, the number of villages and towns covered and sprayed with D.D.T. was 1,058, involving 8,53,388 persons, and an expenditure of Ts 1,88,131. During 1964-65, the number of towns and villages sprayed as also total houses sprayed with D.D.T. was 642 and 70,606 respectively, involving 2,48,079 persons. The Malaria Unit achieved all the targets within the scheduled time and this district was declared free from malaria in 1966. Thereafter, the maintenance work was entrusted to the health authorities, which was further made subordinate to the medical section.
The malaria epidemic broke out in the Pathankot Tahsil during 1971. Steps were, therefore, taken to eradicate it and controls its spread to other areas.
The Malaria Unit at Gurdaspur is manned by 1 Epidemiologist, 2 Health Supervisors, 34 Health Inspectors, 110 Basic Health Workers, 1 Senior Laboratory Technician, 5 Laboratory Technicians, 6 Laboratory Assistants, 5 Swasth Sahaiks, besides other ministerial and allied staff.
(iv) Communicable Diseases. – The
Communicable diseases are plague, cholera, smallpox, etc. A brief reference of each of these, with
particular reference to the district, is given below :