The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has been organising the Know India program (earlier Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) to create awareness about the phenomenal transformation taking place in India and the country’s progress from just a destination for culture, heritage and art to an emerging powerhouse in the global economic system. Thirty Two such programmes have been organised up till now in partnership with different states. Following the success of the programmes and based on the positive feedback received from the interns, the next Know India Programmes (KIP) are proposed to be organised for 40 participants to be selected from countries all over the world. The KIP in the nature of an orientation Programme is expected to provide the participants exposure to various facets of the Indian way of life, culture, spirituality, adventure and sports, creativity and composite character of India and interaction with youth from different parts of the country.
2. Guidelines and application form for these programmes may be accessed on MOIA website. Details of these programmes would also be available on the website of this Ministry
3. The following may be noted in this regard:
(i) The participants comprising of overseas Indians in the age group of 18-26 years who have distinguished themselves in any field and have abiding interest in India and links with India through parentage, are selected by the Indian Missions in their respective countries. NRIs are not eligible to apply for this programme.
(ii) It is open to PIOs all over the world.
(iii) Nomination are required to be duly recommended by Head of Mission/ Head of Post at the given column in the application form.
(iv) List of applicants who have been selected for a particular Know India Programme would be communicated well in advance before its commencement.
(v) Selected participants would be required to purchase air ticket for the journey from the country of residence to India and back, as per the schedule prescribed by the Ministry. Concerned Indian Mission/ Post would reimburse 90% (ninety percent) of the total cost of air ticket (at lowest economy excursion fare) to the participants on successful completion of the programme by them.
3. The expenses on international air travel from the countries of the KIP Participants to India and back (as state in Para 3 (vii) above) and air/train travel of KIP participants from Delhi to Partner State and back to Delhi will be borne by Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Generally, the activities of KIP Participants within Partner state will involve visit to historical, cultural, industrial, academic and tourist places along with meetings with constitutional head, Hon’ble Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Minister, and other eminent personalities. They are also given exposure of village life and interactive sessions in premier university/institution/ organisation within the State. This will promote the State to a distinguished group of Young Overseas Indians in their respective countries and will have ramifications in terms tourism, investment, education and glorious heritage of India.
5. It is now proposed to organise the 33rd &34th KIP on the schedule as shown below.
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KIP Edition
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Proposed Tentative Period
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Proposed Partner State
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Proposed Last date for receipt of nominations in the MOIA through Missions.
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33rd KIP
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29th June 2015 to 19thJuly, 2015
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Himachai Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh
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08th June, 2015
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34th KIP
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17th August 2015 to 07thSeptember 2015
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Himachai Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh
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17th July, 2015
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GUIDELINES FOR KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME (KIP)
- Duration of each of these programmes would be 3 weeks; exact dates would be communicated in due course.
- The programme is open to youth of Indian origin (excluding non-resident Indians) in the age group of 18-26 years as on the first day of the month in which the programme is expected to commence. It is open to PIOs from all over the world.
- The total number of participants in any KIP may not exceed 40.
- Minimum qualification required for applying is graduate or studying for graduation.
- The applicants should be able to converse in English. They should have English as a medium of instruction for undergraduate course.
- The applicant should not have participated in any previous KIP or internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY). Students and those have not visited India before are encouraged to apply.
- The content of the programme may include the following:
a.Presentations on the country, political process, developments in various sectors.
b.Interaction with faculty and students at a prestigious University/College/Institute.
c.Presentation on the industrial development and visits to some Industries/factories.
d.Visit to a village to better understand the typical village life.
e.Exposure to Indian media.
f.Interaction with NGOs and organizations dealing with women affairs.
g.Visit to places of historical importance/Monuments.
h.Taking part in Cultural programmes.
i.Exposure to yoga.
j.Call on high dignitaries, which may include President of India, Chief Election Commissioner of India, Controller and Auditor general of India, and Ministers in charge of Overseas Indian Affairs, Youth Affairs and Sports.
- The participants are provided the following hospitality/facilities in India:
i. Local hospitality e.g boarding/lodging in State guest houses or budgets hotels.
ii. Internal travel as per the Programme.
iii. Per diem allowance of Rs. 100/-for out of pocket expenses.
Selected participants would be required to purchase air ticket for their journey from the country of residence to India and back, as per the schedule prescribed for the Programme by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Concerned Indian Mission/Post would reimburse 90% (ninety percent) of the total cost of air ticket for the cheapest economy class travel to the participants on successful completion of the programme by them.
Gratis visa by Indian Mission/Posts abroad may be granted to selected participants.
The Mission will seek a medical fitness certificate from the participants before recommending them for the programme. Every participant should have medical insurance before the visa is granted to them.
The weather condition of India should be known to the participants and they stay in a rural area is the part of the programme where air-conditioned accommodation is often not available.
All applicants for the programme have to write an essay of 250 to 300 words on why they want to participate and what they expect to gain from the programme.
Selected participants would be required to abide by the regulations of the Know India Programme as conveyed to them by the Ministry of Overseas affairs or an agency nominated by it for the conduct of the Programme directly or through Indian Mission/Posts abroad. They are expected to cooperate fully in the programme in order to ensure its smooth conduct.
In case a participant is found guilty of misconduct or indiscipline during the course of his/her stay, he/she may be asked to leave the programme. Such participants would have to meet the entire cost of their air travel from his/her country of residence to India & back and ‘clause 10’ above the refund of 90% of the total cost of air ticket by Indian Mission/Posts would not be applicable to them. Drinking and smoking in many places in India is banned and is discouraged during the programme. Participants are expected to remain with the group and maintain seriousness towards the programme.
The participants would also not be permitted to leave the Programme mid-way. All are expected to participate in the various programme mid-way. All are expected to participate in the various programmes organised for them enthusiastically & are not expected to stay back in their hotel room, except for medical reason as advised by the doctor. Participants who leave the programme on their own will not be entitled to either the airfare or the per diem allowance.
The organizers will take care of the participants for the duration of the program only, if the participants wish to come early or stay late they will have to make their own arrangements.
Dully Completed application for the programme, along with a passport size photograph, is to be submitted in the prescribed application form at the Indian Diplomatic Mission/Consular Post that covers the area of residence of the applicant. Nominations received after the due date, incomplete and unsigned applications, or forms not accompanied with photographs would be summarily rejected.
Nominations, duly recommended by HOM/HOP, will be sent by e-mail/fax to Under Secretary (DS), Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Akbar Bhawan, New Delhi -110021; E-mail: usds2@moia.nic.in, Fax: 011-24197942. The application form in original will be subsequently sent by diplomatic bag to Under Secretary (DS), MOIA.
Details of the Programme are also posted on the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
