Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs(MOIA) has been organizing the Know India Programme (KIP)for the younger generation of Indian Diaspora. MOIA has already so far organized seven such programmes. KIP provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to share their views, expectations and experience to bond closely with contemporary India. The programmes have been greatly appreciated by the participants.
2. The 8th Programme in the series is being planned to be organized for a period of 3 weeks between the last weeks of December 2007 and January, 2008 and to coincide with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)2008 to be held from 7-9 January, 2008. The programme will be organized in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu with the logistical support of Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). CII has been associated in the Programme since the last KIP for their professional experience in this field.
3. The proposed Programme of KIP(to follow shortly) will involve a total of three weeks stay in India for 40 participants consisting of Diaspora Youth professionals and students of the age group of 18-26 years. A variety of programmes will be arranged in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, highlights of which are - calls on the dignitaries in Government, visits to places of cultural, rural and industrial interest, in both Delhi and Tamil Nadu and stay in a city of the latter State. They will also participate in projects on environment, primary education, rural health etc. A visit to Agra is also included in the programme.
4. The broad guidelines of the Programme are as follows:
- (i) The participant should have distinguished himself/herself in a particular field, should have abiding interest in India and links with India through parentage.
(ii) The participants should be in the age group of 18-26 years.
(iii) The applicant's bio-data, personal details including passport
details and contact particulars are required to be submitted along with two passport size photographs.
(iv) The participants will have to pay for their international travel costs from their respective countries to Delhi and back. An amount equivalent to one-way fare by economy/excursion class will be reimbursed to them by the High Commission after ensuring proof of participation. The Ministry/State Government will bear, expenditure on internal travel, boarding lodging etc of the participants. A per diem allowance of Rs.100/- per day will also be paid to the participants as out-of -pocket allowance.
(v) Not more than 3 nominations will be accepted from the Republic of South Africa
(vi) The participant should not have participated in any previous KIP.
6. Interested participants are required to send in their nominations in the attached nomination/registration form to the High Commission of India in Pretoria/Consulate General of India in Johannesburg / Consulate General of India in Durban/HCI Office in Cape Town by 5th December, 2007 positively. The final selection of candidates will be done by MOIA.
