• The Valedictory Session of the 70^th edition of the Know India Programme (KIP) was held recently.
• The Know India Programme has completed 20 years, making it one of the longest running diaspora engagement programmes of Government of India.

 

ABOUT KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME

• Launched in 2003.
• The primary objective is of fostering closer connections between Indian diaspora youth and their ancestral homeland.
• Nodal ministry- Ministry of External Affairs

Girmitiya are those Indians who went abroad as indentured labourers under an agreement. Such individuals went to countries such as Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, among others.

• The three week programme provides diaspora youth exposure to India’s history and cultural heritage, along with growth and development of modern India.
• It is open to Persons of Indian Origin (21-35 years) from all the countries, with preference given to youth from Girmitiya countries.
• Key elements of programme
  • visits to places of historical and cultural importance;
  • familiarisation with Yoga, Ayurveda, and classical forms of Music and Dance;
  • visit to institutions of democracy and governance like Parliament of India, Election Commission of India, Rashtrapati Bhawan;
  • interaction with leading educational institutions;
  • exposure to flagship economic and development schemes like Digital India, StartUp India, and Make in India; and
  • visits to industrial sites, public and private firms to highlight India’s strength in Manufacturing & Service sector.
• The participants are provided with return air tickets (with participants bearing 10% of the cost of airfare), and local hospitality including boarding/lodging and transportation, as part of the Programme.