December 01, 2007
by Amrit Pal

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) has been organizing the Know India Program (KIP) in order to associate the younger generation of the Indian Diaspora closely with India.  Seven such programs have been organized till now.  The KIP provides a unique forum for students and younger professionals of Indian origin to share their views, expectations and experience to bond closely with contemporary India.  The programs have been greatly appreciated by the participants.

The 8th Program in the series is being held from 26th December, 2007 - 18th  January, 2008.  The program will be organized in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu and with the logistical support of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The Program involving about 40 foreign participants of Indian origin consisting of professionals and students of the age group of 18-26 from various countries will commence from Tamil Nadu. Selected participants are to arrive in Chennai on 26th December. A variety of programs are being arranged in Tamil Nadu and Delhi, highlights of which are calls on dignitaries, visits to places of cultural, rural and industrial interest in both Tamil Nadu and Delhi. The participants will be brought to Delhi from Chennai where they will also participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held from 7-9 January, 2008 and visit Agra.  They will return to their respective countries from Delhi on 18th January, 2008.

Broad guidelines for the Program are given below:

(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.
(iii) Applications for participation may be made in the pro-forma which should be complete in all respects including photographs and should be forwarded through the nearest Indian Mission/Consulate. Nominations from the Mission/Consulate have to reach this Ministry by 10th December, 2007. Nominations received after 10th December will not be accepted.
(iv) The participants will have to pay for their international travel costs from their respective countries and back. An amount equivalent to one-way fare by the cheapest class will be reimbursed to them by the Missions after ensuring proof of participation. The Ministry/State Government will bear the expenditure on internal travel, boarding, lodging etc. A per diem allowance of Rs.100/- per day will also be paid to the participants as out-of-pocket allowance.
(v) The participants should not have participated in any previous KIP.

 
For more information you may contact the nearest Indian Mission/Consulate, their websites and the MOIA website - www.moia.gov.in. Participants may also contact Director(DS)/Under Secretary (DS-I), directly at e-mails: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it respectively.

Source:  www.gopio.com

 

Next: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008 registration is now open.