Indian origin youths on know India trail

New Delhi, Aug 12 : Thirty-five foreign youths of Indian origin will embark on a three-week journey from September 8-27 to see and understand the development and achievements of India.

These 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 is borne by the government.

After arrival in Mumbai, the youth will first visit Gujarat, where they are scheduled to visit the diamond industry in Surat and the Amul establishment in Anand.

They will then visit Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are the two partner states for the programme this year.

The youth will have interaction with Indian youths, women organizations and will visit Gram Panchayats. They will also visit various prominent places and institutions in Delhi before leaving for their homes.

The three-week internship programmes is designed to promote awareness about India, its socio-cultural diversities, its emergence as an economic powerhouse, a centre of higher education and the ongoing developments in the infrastructure, technology and other sectors.

The KIP is 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 26, 2007 to January 18, 2008 in partnership with the State of Tamil Nadu.

KIP is among a whole range of efforts by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) to forge close linkages between India and its overseas community.

ANI