Question : Know India Programme

(a) the number of youth who took part in the 58th and 59th Know India Programme;

(b) the objective of organizing such a programme along with the criteria fixed by the Government for selection of nominations along with the funds allocated and spent for this programme;

(c) the number of such events organized by the Government since 2014 and achievements made so far;

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

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

(f) the steps taken to improve the programme for Indians abroad?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) Total 80 Participants (40 participants in each of the two editions).

(b) The Know India Programme (KIP) is an important initiative of the Government of India to engage with diaspora youth. It provides the opportunity to students and young professionals of Indian diaspora to connect with their motherland and to be motivated and inspired by the remarkable transformations taking place in India. The programme, which is conducted in collaboration with State governments, gives an exposure to India’s heritage and diversity in art and culture as well as to the progress achieved in various fields such as Industry, Education, Science & Technology, Information & Communication Technology etc.

The selection of the participants is based on the following eligibility criteria:-

(i) Age : 18-30 years.

(ii) No Previous Participation: The applicant should not have earlier visited India through any of the Government funded Schemes.

(iii) Educational Qualification: Minimum graduation from a recognized University / Institute or enrolled for graduation.

(iv) Language : The applicants should be able to speak in English, should have studied English as a subject at the High School level or have English as the medium of instructions for under-graduate course.

An expenditure of Rs. 7.00 Crore was incurred during the Financial Year 2019-20 under Know India Programme. An amount of Rs. 6.00 Crore was allocated for the current Financial Year which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

(c) Since 2014, the GoI has conducted 34 editions (from 26th to 59th KIP) of KIP, during which 1300 participants have been familiarized with India’s heritage and cultural diversity as well as to India’s remarkable progress in various fields.

(d) No. The number of participants have not come down over the last few years.

(e) NA.

(f) There have been various steps taken to improve the programme such as:

i. Discussions with stakeholders to showcase heritage and recent progress.

ii. Collaboration with cultural organizations and visits to scientific institutions.

iii. Partnership with a State of India to highlight developments in that State.

iv. Encouraging countries beyond Girmitiya countries for engagement with diaspora youth from across the globe.

***