PEACE TREND IN TOYS

During the recent Holiday season about $60,000 worth of gifts were sent to some 40,000 European war orphans through the Foster Parent's Plan for War Orphans. While American children - not having been directly subjected to the terrors of war--continued to prize toy planes, pistols and machine-guns, European children requested peaceful toys such as tractors, trains, cars and trucks.

Mrs. Edna Blue, international chairman of the organization, made a two-month survey of conditions among children overseas, and was deeply impressed by their need for two things-possessions and affection. Having been deprived of their homes, families and belongings, they crave love and attention. "They throw their arms around you, hang onto your hands, and cover them with kisses. They go on and on and never seem to stop. Their behavior isn't normal, but it shows how great their heart hunger is," reported Mrs. Blue. Their need for belongings is so great that: "Some of the girls pick up rocks from the gutter, wash them and set them on their dressers. Those are their possessions--theirs alone."

Although the children ate uninteresting food without comment or complaint, they constantly called her attention to the condition of such toys as they had managed to keep through the war years. Little girls were especially concerned over their dolls. "A missing arm or leg was considered a very minor defect. It was children clutching dolls without heads that really made me downhearted."

 

GANDHIJI'S OFFICIAL

TITLE

In time past Gandhiji has protested against being called "Mahatma," and has stated that he prefers the affectionate reverence of the term "Bapuji" (literally, Honorable Father, but used here in the sense that "Little Father" was used by some Russians of the old regime). Still, the people of India knowing that he is truly a "great soul" as the term implies-continue to use the more impressive title. The new interim Government has acceded to the will of the people in this matter, and whereas he was formerly referred to as "Mr. Gandhi" in all official documents, he is now called "Mahatma Gandhi" in all official pronouncements and papers.

INDIAN GOVERNMENT

PLANS

Any plan to raise mass living standards must take into consideration electric power, irrigation and flood control. As America's TVA is a multiple-purpose project, so the three great works which are to be built on the Mahandi, Damodar and Kosi rivers of India will eventually: raise food production by about two million tons per year , generate one and a half million kilowatts of hydro-electric power and irrigate about six million acres of land. Plans for irrigation works are also under way in Hyderabad. Madras, the United Provinces and Sind. M. L. Savage (of Boulder Dam fame) is now designing a dam in the Punjab.

The ICS (Indian Civil Service, in force under British rule) will give place to a suitable Central or Provincial Service. A conference, convened to consider the question, was generally in favor of an All-India Administrative Service.

A conference of Provincial Ministers of Labor hopes to work out a short-term plan--one that can be carried into effect within the next few years--to improve the conditions and outlook of millions of Indian workers. Among proposals already made for such a program are: Fair-wage agreements, organization of industrial training and apprenticeship schemes, improvement of working conditions, elimination of contract labor wherever possible, social security measures, welfare work and housing.

A conference of Health Ministers unanimously endorsed proposals of the Bhore Committee, including the development of district health organizations with a primary health center for every 40,000 people, hospitals for each district, and an increase in the amount of Government expenditure on health to at least 15% of total expenditure (pre-war average for medical relief and public health was about 5 % of the total, or 9.4 cents a head!).

The Congress Working Committee has already passed a resolution calling for land reform and the abolition of zamindaris (landlords). When this is carried out the condition of the peasants will be much improved since there will no longer be intermediaries between themselves and the state to absorb what little profit they might have made.

 

MYTH OF

OVERPOPULATION

In Dr. S. Chandrasekhar's brief study on demographic facts, public health and population of India, a new blow has been aimed at those superficial know-alls who keep insisting that overpopulation is the basic cause of India's many troubles. His comments and figures indicate that a rough equality exists between the population and land area of non-Russian Europe and India. Although India is in about the same condition as Europe in respect to population-land ratio, too many people still speak glibly of the "overpopulation" of India, not realizing that her problem is one of economic development.

 

PAPAYA INN

One half mile south of

Encinitas on Highway 101

 

The Inn is located on a cliff above the sea within a hundred feet of a stairway leading to a secluded beach. Although the building is being redecorated, some rooms are now available. Reservations must be made two weeks in advance, and confirmed. (Note: Reservations for August and September must he made before June 15th.)

Return to Contents