Know India Programme (KIP) for NRI, PIO - External Affairs Minister inaugurates KIP for Young Overseas Indians

The Government has introduced a programme named “Know India Programme” for young persons of Overseas Indians with a view to provide them an exposure to the country of their origin so that they can understand it better and more intimately.

New Delhi: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj releases a book during the inauguration of "Know India" programme portal and announcement of 2nd phase of post office Passport Seva Kendras, in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with Minister of State General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), Minister of State MJ Akbar and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communications, Manoj Sinha inaugurates "Know India" Programme web portal in New Delhi on June 17, 2017.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has inaugurated Know India Programme (KIP) for NRI and PIO youth with a view to provide them with an exposure to the country of their origin so that they can understand India better and more closely. External Affairs Minister has also launched a portal for the Know India Programme (KIP).

The government has also announced the openings of 149 new post office passport seva kendras in the country (POPSK). The Ministry has announced that it is taking measures to open more passport seva kendras so that a person need not travel more than 50 kilometeres to get his/her passport. POPSKs is an initiative undertaken jointly by the MEA and the Department of Post.

Know India Programme (KIP)

Know India Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs for the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) between the age group of 18 to 30 years.

The Know India Programme is a three-week orientation programme which is aimed at promoting awareness on different facets of life in India as well as the progress made by the country in fields such as economic and education.

The KIP offers a platform for the young PIOs to visit India share their views, expectations and experiences and forge closer bonds with the India of present times.

The scheme was launched in 2004 and has so far had 40 editions in which some 1,293 PIO youths have participated.

In the year 2016, the scheme was revamped to extend the number of days from 21 to 25 days including a 10-day visit to one or two states. Also from 2016, six KIPs are being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in a year.

The content of the programme broadly includes the following:

• Presentations on the country, political process, developments in various sectors.
• Interaction with faculty and students at a prestigious University/College/Institute
• Presentation on the industrial development and visits to some Industries
• Visit to a village to better understand the typical village life
• Exposure to Indian media
• Interaction with NGOs and organizations dealing with women affairs
• Visit to places of historical importance/Monuments
• Taking part in Cultural programmes
• Exposure to yoga
• Call on high dignitaries, which may include President of India, Chief Election Commissioner of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and Ministers in-charge of The Ministry, Youth Affairs and Sports.

So far MOIA has organized 24 Know India Programmes in which 729 Overseas Diaspora Youth have participated in these programmes.

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