9th Know India Programme for India's diaspora youth

New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI) A hectic schedule awaits Indian diaspora youth during the 9th Know India Programme (KIP) that kicks off in August 2008.

Earlier known as Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth, it is a three-week internship programme for them conducted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to promote awareness on India, its socio-cultural diversity, its all-round development and emergence as an economic powerhouse among others.

The participants are drawn from countries having larger population of people of Indian origin who are selected based on recommendations made by Indian Missions/Posts abroad. They are provided with full hospitality and are reimbursed one-way economy class airfare from their respective country to India.

The content of the programme includes visit and stay at a university/college/institute, activities related to youth to be organised by NYKS, visit to industry, visit to a village, exposure to Indian media and film industry, presentations on the country, the constitution and political process. Interactions are held with NGOs and/or organisations dealing with women affairs, including calls on high dignitaries such as the President, Ministers of OIA, Youth Affairs and Sports, Women and Child Development topped with visit to places of historical importance, monuments and cultural events.

Being held since 2003, the programme is organised in partnership with one of the state governments. The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) are the organisational partners.

UNI SD AM AS1829