35 youths to undertake India trip from Sep 8

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Thirty five youths of Indian origin will embark on a three-week journey of discovery from September eight to understand the development and achievements of India.

The diaspora youth drawn from several countries will come to India under the Know India Programme (KIP) of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. All expenditure, except a one-way fare, will be borne by the government.

After arrival in Mumbai, the youth will head for Gujarat, where they will visit the diamond industry in Surat and the Amul establishment in Anand. They will then visit Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Luknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are the two partner states for the programme this year.

During their visit, they will interact with Indian youths and women organisations and will visit gram panchayats. They will also visit leading institutions in Delhi before leaving for their homes.

The internship programme, which concludes on September 27, is designed to promote awareness about India, its socio-cultural diversities and its emergence as an economic powerhouse.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with a state government and the logistics support of the Nehru Yuvak Kendra and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The last KIP was held from December 27, 2007 to January 18, 2008 in partnership with the state of Tamil Nadu. KIP is among a whole range of efforts by the MOIA to forge close linkages between India and its overseas community.

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