39 diaspora youth get a glimpse of India

NEW DELHI - Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi Thursday honoured 39 young people of Indian origin from all over the world who had come on a programme to know and understand their native country.

The 14th Know India Programme (KIP) is a fully funded programme of the ministry for youth of Indian origin (not NRIs) within the age group of 18 to 26 with the participants either a graduate or pursuing an graduate programme.

The content of this three week programme include presentations on the country, political process, developments in various sectors, visiting a college/university/institute and interacting with faculty and students, a presentation on industrial development and visits to some industries, visiting a village etc.

Ravi welcomed the participants to share their thoughts and experiences during the programme. Surya Vatsa from Vladivostok, Russia received a special welcome from the minister who said he was “very happy to see somebody from Russia… for the first time.”

Vijay Kumar Bhojwani Nandwani from Chile said he was happy to be a part of KIP, “I am glad I came here because us being really far away from India we miss Indian food and Bollywood movies which is not the case for others of Indian origin settled in Europe, Asian countries or even South Africa,” he said

Vayalar Ravi said he was pleased with the success of the initiative, which is in its 14th year. “I am happy how this has worked. This is a major initiative by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. This is a way of spreading India to the world.”