Lok Sabha Question No. 607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-20
Subject: Know India Programme
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Hemant Patil, DNV Senthilkumar. S.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.607

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.11.2019 KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME

## 607.    SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT: SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL: DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S:

## Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of youths who took part in the 54 th  Know India Programme ;
- (b) the objective of organizing such a programme alongwith criteria fixed by Government for selection of nomination along with the funds allocated and spent for this programme ;
- (c) the number of such events organized by the Government since 2004 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 therefore during the last three years; and
- (f) 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 [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

- (a) 40 participants.

(b) The   Know   India   Programme   (KIP)   is   an   important   initiative   of   the Government of India which aims to engage and make the students and young professionals of Indian diaspora in the age group of 18-30 years feel a sense of connect   with   their   motherland   and   to   be   motivated   and   inspired   by   the transformations taking place in India. The programme also aims to give them an exposure to India's diverse forms of art, heritage, and culture as well as to India's   progress   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) 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.

An amount of Rs. 6.00 crore has been allocated by the Government of India for this Scheme for the current FY 2019-20. An amount of Rs. 1.10 crore has

(c) Since   2004,   the   GoI   has   conducted   56   editions   of   KIP   with   the participation of 1941 participants and participants of 57 th  edition are presently in   India.   58 th and 59 th   editions   of   KIP   will   be   conducted   in   the   months   of

(f) The Ministry of External Affairs had sought comments / views from various Ministries   /   Departments   of   the   GoI   in   order   to   improve   the   Know   India Programme.   Important   suggestions   received   from   these   Ministries   / Departments have been incorporated with the view to improve the KIP. In addition,   the   Ministry   has   also   taken   several   steps   to   attract   Indian   youth diaspora such as organizing visits to scientific institutions like BARC, ISRO, Nuclear Power Plant etc., organizing of KIP LOGO Contest & Incredible India Photo contest, providing KIP T-shirts to participants, increased Social Media already been incurred under the said Scheme till now. December, 2019 and January, 2020 within this FY . (d) No. (e) NA. Presence etc.

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