By IANS
New Delhi : Goa is all set to host the latest edition of the Know India Programme (KIP), an orientation event held by the government to help diaspora youth know more about Indian way of life and culture that starts Aug 29, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said here Monday.
Ravi said this year’s event, which will go on till Sep 15, would specially target Indian origin youth rather than non-resident Indians (NRIs).
“We are especially targeting youth in the African countries, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and southeast Asia, where there are large concentrations of Indian origin people,” he said.
The minister was speaking at a function where his ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), whereby the industry body would be a partner in organising the programme.
“Till now over 170 youths from 39 countries have participated in the programme since it was launched in 2004,” Ravi noted.
“We have had extremely positive feedback about the programme from various parts of the world. Indian missions are in the process of selecting candidates for the next round of the programme,” he said.
Earlier known as the Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY), the Know India Programme provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to share their views and experiences and bond closely with contemporary India.
It is held in partnership with a state government that hosts the participants in coordination with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Karnataka and Kerala are among the states that have hosted different editions of the programme since it was launched.
CII has been roped in so that the participants are exposed to latest developments in the economic and industrial scenario of India.
“CII has a Young India Programme which has 16 chapters worldwide with 800 members. Know India Programme will provide a great opportunity for young Indians to connect with the youth of the Indian diaspora,” CII deputy director general Jayant Bhuyan said on the occasion.