21st Know India Programme Participants Call on Vayalar Ravi

The participants of 21st Know India Programme (KIP) called on the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri. Vayalar Ravi here today. Interacting with the diaspora youths, the Minister said that the purpose of organizing KIP is to provide a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views and to bond closely with contemporary India. He also highlighted the role of the Ministry in linking ‘Youth Diaspora’ with their origin country. 36 participants have come from 11 countries including Fiji, South Africa, Suriname, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Slovak Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Iran and New Zealand.

During the programme, the KIP participants visited various important and historical places in Delhi. They also met dignitaries including Lt. Governor of Delhi and the Chief Election Commissioner. Tamil Nadu was the partner state of this KIP. The participants visited Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai and other important places including village areas in the state.

Know India Programme (KIP) of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youths conducted in partnership with one State Government with a view to introduce India to them and promote awareness on different facets of Indian life and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, science & technology, communication & information technology and culture. Twenty such programmes have been organized in partnership with the State Governments of Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala, Haryana, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and Rajasthan. The participants, in the age group of 18-26 years, are selected based on nominations received from Indian Missions/Posts abroad. A total of 659 Overseas Youths of Indian Origin have participated in twenty one editions of Know India Programme so far. The content of the programme broadly includes the following:

(a) Presentations on the country, the constitution, political process etc.
(b) Interaction with faculty and students at a prestigious University/College/Institute.
(c) Presentation on the industrial development and visit to some Industries
(d) Visit to a village to better understand the typical village life
(e) Exposure to Indian media.
(f) Interaction with NGOs and organizations dealing with women affairs.
(g) Visit to places of historical importance/Monuments.
(h) Taking part in Cultural programmes
(i) Exposure to yoga
(j) Call on dignitaries.