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QUESTION NO.507 OBJECTIVE OF KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME

July 20, 2017

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.507
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2017

OBJECTIVE OF KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME

507. SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the aims and objectives of ‘Know India Programme’;

(b) whether the number of participants under the above programme has come down during the last few years;

(c) if so, the details and the reasons therefor, during the last three years; and

(d) the manner in which the Ministry is planning to improve the programme for Indians abroad?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) The Know India Programme (KIP) is an important initiative of the Government with an aim to engage and make the young Indian diaspora feel a sense of connect with their motherland. Aim is to motivate and inspire them by transformational changes taking place in India and give them an exposure to various aspects of contemporary India, and India’s diverse forms of art, heritage, and culture.

(b) & (c) No, on the contrary the number has increased to 260 in 2016-17. Five editions of KIP with 151 participants and two editions of KIP with participation of 70 Overseas Indians were organised in 2014-15 & 2015-16 respectively. After a review of KIP scheme in 2016, it was decided to host 6 editions of Know India Programme in a Financial Year in addition to hosting 20 finalists from "Bharat Ko Jaaniye Quiz”. Accordingly, seven KIPs were organized in 2016-17 with 260 participants.

(d) The following steps have been taken by the Ministry to further improve the Programme for Indians abroad:

i) Duration of KIP was increased from 21 to 25 days with preference given to PIOs from Girmitiya countries;
ii) KIP portal was revamped to facilitate online application and processing;
iii) The age of participants has been increased from 18 to 26 to 18 to 30.
iv) Recognizing that Indian Diaspora has an emotional connect with their place of origin in India, more States were made partners in the Know India Programme. Accordingly, the state leg of the programme has also been increased from 7 to 10 days to give KIP participants exposure to our regional diversity and to specific states;
v) Two States can now be the partners of the programme.
vi) A KIP Facebook page has been created to promote KIP and engagement with young diaspora;
vii) Board and lodging for the KIP participants has been upgraded.

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