As on previous years, the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs would be organising the Know India Programme this year also to associate the younger generation of the Indian Diaspora closely with India. The current programme, the eighth in the series is being arranged for a period of three weeks between the last weeks of December 2007 and January 2008 and to coincide with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008. The exact dates are being finalised. The programme will be organised in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu with the logisitc support of Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry.

The proposed programme will involve a total of three weeks stay in India for 40 participants consisting of Diaspora Youth professionals and students of the age group of 18-26 years. After initial briefing meetings in the Ministry and calls on high level dignitaries and gaining knowledge about Indian history, economy, heritage, etc. for 2-3 days, the participants will leave for the selected state. A variety of programmes will be arranged in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, highlights of which are: calls on the dignitaries in the State Government, stay in a city of the State, meetings with local dignitaries, visits to IT parks, universities, hosptials, etc. They will also participate in projects on environment, primary education, rural health, etc. A visit to Agra is also included in the programme.

The participants will return to Delhi for 2-3 days for debriefing and discussions and feedbacks on their experience.

Broad guidelines for the programme are given below:

(i) The participants should have distinguished himself/herself in a particular field, should have abiding interest in India and links with India through parentage.
(ii) The participants should be in the age group of 18-26 years.
(iii) The participants will be granted gratis visa as a gesture of goodwill. They will have to pay their international travel costs from their respective cities to Delhi and back. However, an amount equal to one way fare by economy/excursion class will be reimbursed to them. All inland travel, board and lodge will be paid for by the Government. In addition, a sum of Rs. 100 per day will be paid to the participants as out of pocket allowance.
(iv) The participants should not have participated in any previous KIP.