High Commission of India

OTTAWA

PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME -2009-10

The proposed schedule for the three “Know India Programmes” (KIPs) to be organized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, New Delhi tentatively between August 2009 – March 2010 is as follows:

	Tentative Period	Partner States	Last date for receipt of nominations
12^th KIP	August - September 09	Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh	30^th June 2009
13^th KIP	December 09 - January 2010	Kerala, Haryana	30^th September 2009
14^th KIP	March 2010	Rajasthan, Goa	31^st December 2009

2. Duration of each of these KIPs would be 3 weeks - exact dates would be conveyed on finalization of the respective programme, at least a month before its commencement. These programmes are organized in partnership with concerned State Governments while logistical support is provided by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

3. The participants are provided local hospitality e.g. boarding/lodging in State guest houses or budget hotels and internal travel. They are also given per diem allowance of Rs. 100/- for out-of-pocket expenses. They may be granted gratis visa by the High Commission on production of receipt.

4. Until the 11^th KIP, 50% of the international airfare by the cheapest economy class travel was reimbursable to the participants after they had successfully taken part in them. With a view to enable the less affluent Diaspora youth to take advantage of KIPs, it has been decided to reimburse 90% of the international airfare by the cheapest economy class travel to participants selected for the 12^th and subsequent KIPs subject to their successfully taking part in the respective programmes.

5. The content of the programme may include the following:

(a) Presentations on the country, political process, developments in various sectors;

(b) Interaction with faculty and students at a prestigious University/College/Institute;

(c) Presentation on the industrial development and visits to some industries;

(d) Visit to a village to better understand the typical village life;

(e) Exposure to Indian media;

(f) Interaction with NGOs and organizations dealing with women affair;

(g) Visit to places of historical importance/Monuments;

(h) Taking part in Cultural programmes;

(i) Exposure to yoga;

(j) Call on high dignitaries, which may include President of India, Chief Election Commissioner of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and Ministers in-charge of Overseas Indian Affairs, Youth Affairs and Sports.

6. Broad guidelines to be followed while making nominations for KIPs are as under:

· The Programme is open to youth of Indian Origin (excluding NRIs) in the age group of 18-26 years as on the first day of the month in which the programme is expected to start. It is open to PIOs from all over the world. A fair mix of males and females is expected.

· The total number of participants in any of the Programme may not exceed 40.

· The candidates should either be studying in the under-graduate level or should have completed under-graduation or equivalent.

· They should be able to converse in English. [They should have studied English as a subject at the High School level or should have English as a medium of instruction for under-graduate course].

· They should have distinguished themselves in a particular field and should have abiding interest in India.

· They should not have participated in any previous Know India Programme or Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth.

7. Application[s] as per enclosed proforma, along with one passport size photograph of the nominees for participation in the event may please be sent to the High Commission of India, 10 Springfield Road, Ottawa, K1M 1C9 by 26^th June 2009 [Fax: 613-744-0913; E-mail: hoc@hciottawa.ca].

8. The actual number of participants to be taken from each country would depend on the responses received from other countries.

9. The last date for receipt of nominations is indicated above against the three KIPs. It is 30^th June 2009 for the 12^th Know India Programme.

10. Participants are not permitted to leave the programme mid-way. They are expected to follow the entire programme as a group and stay at places designated / selected for this purpose.

11. Details of the Programme would also be available on this Ministry’s website http://moia.gov.in as well as on the website http://knowindiaprogram.com/.

MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS

Government of India

New Delhi

APPLICATION FORM FOR KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME (KIP)

Number of the KIP that you wish to take part: 12^th or 13^th or 14^th

(Tick mark the one which is applicable in the case of the applicant)

[Tentative schedule for the 12^th KIP is August-September 2009, for 13^th KIP

It is December 2009 - January 2010, and for 14^th KIP it is March 2010]

PERSONAL PARTICULARS

(i) Name (as in Passport in BLOCK letters)

_____________ _____________ ____________

(Surname) (First Name) (Middle Name)

(ii) Gender Male/Female

(iii) Date of birth (iv) Place of birth ----------- ---------

(dd/mm/yyyy) (City) (Country)

(v) Nationality -------------------- (vi) Domicile --------------------

(Country where you live in permanently)

(vii) Marital status ------------------------

(viii) Passport Particulars

No. ------------------

Place of issue ------------ ------------------

(City) (Country)

Date of issue -------------------

(dd/mm/yyyy)

Date of Expiry -------------------

(dd/mm/yyyy)

(ix) Telephone number: Work ----------------------------------

(With country and city code) Residence ----------------------------------

Mobile/Cell ----------------------------------

Fax Number ----------------------------------

(With country and city code)

E-mail Address -------------------------------

(x) Complete mailing address with PIN/ZIP Code

(xi) Permanent home address with PIN/ZIP Code

(xii) Name, address (if available) and your relationship with your ancestor who migrated from India:

(a) Name

(b) Last known address

(c) Your relationship with him/her

(d) The year when he/she migrated from India, if known

(xiii) Particulars in respect of your closest relative in India:

(a) Name

(b) Present address

(c) Your relationship with him/her

(d) Contact telephone numbers with city code

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PARTICULARS

1. Educational qualification

(i) State the name and address of the College/University

from where you completed under graduate course or

have joined it for this purpose

(ii) Subjects of study

(iii) Medium of instruction

2. Qualification in English language

3. Details of Occupation/employment:

S.N.	Organization/Office/Firm (Name and address)	Position held	Period
			From	To

4. Contact particulars of the present employer:

Telephone number: Work ----------------------------------

(With country and city code) Mobile/Cell ----------------------------------

Fax Number ----------------------------------

(With country and city code)

E-mail Address------------------------------

5. Personal Achievements, If any_______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

OTHER DETAILS

1. Details of Community Activities, if undertaken:

2. Are you a member of any Overseas Indian

Association/Organization? If yes, give its name

And address

3. How did you come to know about the KIP?

(Through an Indian Diplomatic Mission/Post,

Media advertisement, a previous participant

or others- to be specified)

4. Have you participated in a previous Know India Yes/No

Programme? If yes, provide details.

5. Have you visited India earlier? if yes, please

provide details of your last two visits including

the month and year of the visit, places visited

and the purpose for your visit

6. Please state, in not more than 100 words, why do you wish to take part in the Know India Programme?

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

DECLARATION

I, hereby, declare that all the information given in this Application Form are true and correct to the best of my information and belief.

I also declare that I will abide by the regulations of the Know India Programme, would offer my full cooperation in its smooth conduct, and would not leave it mid-way.

I understand that if I am found guilty of any misconduct or indiscipline during the course of the Programme, I could be refused any further participation in the said Programme or participation in any future Programmes and that I would not be eligible for any reimbursement of the return international airfare from my country of residence to India as per clause 10 of the guidelines prescribed for the Programmes. Reimbursement of 90% of the international airfare for cheapest economy class travel for the purpose would also not be admissible if I leave the Programme mid-way.

(Signature of the applicant)

Name of the applicant

Date:

ENDORSEMENT OF THE CONCERNED INDIAN MISSION/POST

Name of Indian Mission/Post:

Recommendations of the Head of Mission/Post

Signature of HOM/HOP ____________________

Name of the HOM/HOP_______________________

Office Seal

Date