News excerpt:

‘Know India Programme’, the flagship programme of the Ministry of External Affairs for the youth diaspora has completed its 20 years.

About ‘Know India Programme’:

• It is one of the longest-running diaspora engagement programmes of the Government of India.
• The 70th Know India Programme, held recently, welcomed 34 participants from Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Colombia.

Feature of the programme:

• The programme was launched in 2003, with the primary objective of fostering closer connections between Indian diaspora youth and their ancestral homeland.
• The three-week programme provides diaspora youth exposure to India’s history and cultural heritage, along with the growth and development of modern India.
•  It is open to Persons of Indian Origin, aged between 21 to 35 years, from all the countries.
• KIP participants get an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the history and culture of India as a civilization as well as  the advancements and achievements of modern India across diverse domains, including but not limited to the realms of economy, industry, education, science and technology, telecommunications, information technology, and space science. 
• The participants are granted the privilege of engaging in Learning Tours to a spectrum of institutions and organizations encompassing both the private and public sectors. 
• These tours serve as a platform for participants to gain profound insights and engage in meaningful interactions with field experts and specialists.
• Some of the key elements of the Programme include:
• Visits to places of historical and cultural importance
• Familiarization with Yoga, Ayurveda, and classical forms of Music and Dance
• Visit to institutions of democracy and governance like Parliament of India, Election Commission of India, Rashtrapati Bhawan.
•  Interaction with leading educational institutions
• Exposure to flagship economic and development schemes like Digital India, StartUp India and Make in India.
• Visits to industrial sites, public and private firms to highlight India’s strength in Manufacturing & Service sector.

Conclusion:

The 'Know India Programme' celebrates 20 years of fostering connections with the Indian diaspora. Its immersive approach, spanning history, culture, and contemporary developments, enhances cross-cultural understanding. Further, India requires continuous innovation, leveraging technology, and expanding outreach to strengthen ties and empower diaspora youth.