Indian diaspora youth call on Vayalar Ravi

The participants of 24th Know India Programme (KIP) called on Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.

Interacting with the Indian diaspora youth here yesterday, the Minister said that diaspora youth are ambassadors of Indian culture. In this regard, the KIP provides a forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India and closely understand the life, culture, heritage and development of India. This is also a forum for sharing their views about India.

He also highlighted the role of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in linking youth diaspora with their origin country and also briefed the Ministry's welfare programmes and schemes for NRIs and Overseas Indian workers.

He also gave away certificates to the participants on the occasion.

29 participants have come from seven countries including South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius and Canada.

During 24th Know India Programme, the participants had two day interactive session in Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and also visited Aurobindo Ashram, Rajghat, Akshardham Temple and various important tourist places in Delhi.

During their programme in the partner state of 24th KIP, Uttar Pradesh, they visited Lucknow, Banaras, Agra and rural area of UP. They also had a whole day session in the Ministry to know about different programmes, schemes and functioning of the Ministry.

The next 25st KIP will be organized from 29.08.2013 to 18.09.2013, with Punjab as the Partner State. Total 729 Overseas Youths of Indian Origin have participated in twenty editions of Know India Programme.

Know India Programme (KIP) of the Ministry is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youth conducted in partnership with one or two State Governments with a view to promote awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, science and technology, communication and information technology, culture.

This programme provides a unique forum for students and young professional of Indian origin to visit India, share their views and to bond closely with contemporary India. The participants, in the age group of 18-26 years, are selected based on nominations received from Indian Missions/Posts abroad.