Consulate General of India Vancouver,BC,CanadaOfficial Website of Consulate General of India,Vancouver

Invitation to 'Know India Programme' (KIP) for young PIOs

Press Release

1. Young members of the Indian Diaspora (PIO) are cordially invited to participate in the ‘Know India Programme’ (KIP) to rediscover their Indian roots.


2. Under KIP, the Ministry of External Affairs of India offers a 25 days visit to young PIOs to give them an exposure to various aspects of contemporary India, and India’s diverse forms of art, heritage, and culture.


3. Ministry will organize the following four Know India Programmes (KIP) from December 2016 to January 2017. The schedule for the next four KIPs as under:

4. Broad terms and guidelines
   1. All four KIP groups will participate in the youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 7 January 2017 in Bengaluru and the inauguration  of 14th PBD Convention on 8 January 2017 - where PM and select Chief Ministers will participate and address delegates. Therefore, Bengaluru has been included in the 25 day itinerary of the KIP groups.
   
   
   2. In the Application Form, the applicant should indicate his preference for each KIP, in the order of priority. Ministry will attempt to allot the first preference of each applicant to the extent possible. If there are too many applicants for a specific KIP, the allotment of candidates will be on first-come-first serve basis and subject to fulfillment of all eligibility criteria.
   
   
   3. Duration of the programme is 25 days with 10 days in the partner state.
   
   
   4. The programme is open to Persons of Indian origin (PIO) in the age group of 18-
      30 years, the world over (excluding non-resident Indians).
   
   
   5. The total number of participants in any KIP may not exceed 40.
   
   
   6. Minimum qualification required for applying graduation or enrolled graduation.
   
   
   7. The applicants should be able to converse in English.
   
   
   8. The applicant should not have participated in any previous KIP or   Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) or Study India Programme of MEA.
      1. Students and those who have not visited India before are encouraged to apply.
      
      
      2. The content of the programme may include the following:
      
      
      3. Understanding of India's political system, economy, society, and developments in various sectors etc.
      
      
      4. Interaction with students at University/ College.
      
      
      5. Visit to places of historical importance.
      
      
      6. Participation in cultural programmes.
      
      
      7. Visit to a village.
      
      
      8. Interaction with non-profit organizations.
      
      
      9. Meetings with senior leadership/officials in India.
      
      
      10. Visit to a select state in India for 10 days.
      
      
   
   
   9. The participants are provided the following hospitality/facilities in India:
      1. local hospitality e.g. boarding/lodging in State guest houses or budget hotels,
      
      
      2. Internal travel as per the Programme.
      
      
   
   
   10. Consulate General of India, Vancouver  may arrange return cheapest economy air tickets for the selected participants. However, the participant would be required to pay 10% of total airfare before they leave for India. They will also have to give a written undertaking that they will complete the KIP, failing which amount spent on airfare by Government of India will be reimbursed to the High Commission of India, Ottawa.
   
   
   11. Every participant should have an international travel and medical insurance before the ticket and gratis visa are issued to her/him and is also required to submit the fitness certificate with the application.
   
   
   12. All participants for the programme are required to submit an essay in not more than 250 words on why they want to participate and what they expect to gain from the programme.
   
   
   13. The organizers will take care of the participants for the duration of the program only. If the participants wish to come early or stay late they will have to make their own arrangements.
   
   
   14. All applicants need to apply in the prescribed format (attached) to the Consulate General of India, Vancouver  (as per details below), by the due date (30th October, 2016), along with (i) an essay in not more than 250 words on why they want to participate in KIP and what they expect to gain from it; (ii) a recent passport size photograph.
       

       N.Lingi Chetty

       Consul  (Commerce),

       Consulate General of India,

       #201-325, Howe Street,

       Vancouver, BC    V6C 1Z7

       Tel: 604 662 4171;  Email: indiacom@telus.net

   
   
   15. Successful candidate only will be contacted by the Consulate General of India.
   
   
   
   16. The application form, detailed guidelines and KIP programme are attached.
   
   

   Vancouver

   18 , October, 2016