The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India, as part of its on-going programme of associating the younger generation of the Indian Diaspora closely with India, has been organizing Internship/Orientation programmes for Diaspora Youth in the past and has till now organized seven such programmes. The Know India Programmes (KIP) provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to share their views, expectations and experience and bond closely with contemporary India. The programmes have been greatly appreciated by the participants.

The 8th Programme (KIP) in the series is being planned for a period of 3 weeks between the last week of December 2007 and January 2008 in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu with the logistical support of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The proposed Programme will involve a total of three weeks stay in India for 40 participants consisting of Diaspora youth professionals and students of the age group of 18-26 years. A variety of programmes will be arranged in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, highlights of which are- calls on the dignitaries in Government, visits to places of cultural, rural and industrial interest, in both Delhi and Tamil Nadu. The participants will also participate in projects on environment, primary education, rural health etc. A visit to Agra is also included in the programme.

Broad guidelines of the Programme are given below:

1. The participant should have distinguished himself/herself in a particular field and should have an abiding interest in India and links with India through parentage.
2. The participants should be in the age group of 18-26 years.
3. For nominations the applicant’s bio-data, personal details including passport details and email addresses, along with two passport size photographs are needed.
4. The participants will have to pay for their international travel costs from UAE to Delhi and back. However, an amount equivalent to one-way airfare by economy/excursion class will be reimbursed to them by the Government of India after ensuring proof of participation. In addition, the GOI/State Government will bear expenditure on internal travel, board/lodging, etc. Participants will be paid a per diem allowance of Rs. 100/- per day as out-of-pocket allowance.
5. Not more than 3 nominations will be accepted from one country. Those who are genuinely interested in the Programme and have not been to India before would be preferred.

Participants may contact Director (DS-I)/Under Secretary (DS-I) in the Ministry of Overseas Indians at emails: dirss@moia.nic.in; usds2@moia.nic.in for further details, but their nominations will have to be forwarded through Embassy of India/Abu Dhabi or Consulate General of India, Dubai.

Last date for receipt of applications in the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi [Tel: (02) 4492700; Fax: (02) 4444685] is Thursday. 29th November, 2007. Click here to download registration form.