RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1961
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2019
KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME
1961. SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) The manner in which the Indian diaspora has responded to the Know India Programme; and
(b) The details of participation of the diaspora?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) The Know India Programme is an important initiative of the Government of India which aims to engage diaspora youth in the age group of 18-30 years. The aim is to connect them with their motherland and to motivate and inspire them by the transformations
taking place in contemporary India. The programme also aims to give them an exposure to India’s diverse forms of art, heritage, and culture.
Ministry has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Indian diaspora. In view of the positive response received from the diaspora, the Know India Programme was revamped in 2016 and the number of editions were enhanced from 04 to 06 in a financial
year. The age limit criteria was also increased from 18-26 year to 18-30 years.
(b) Since its inception in 2004, Ministry had conducted 57 editions of this programme, with the participation of 1981 diaspora youth from 49 countries. The 58th and 59th editions of this programme are scheduled to be organized in the months of December 2019
and January 2020.
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