Lok Sabha Question No. 1539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Know India Programme
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sunil Baburao Mendhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1539 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME

## 1539. SHRI SUNIL BABURAO MENDHE:

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

- (a) the number of youth who took part in the 58 th  and 59 th  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?

## ANSWER 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 26 th  to 59 th  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.

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