If you a Person of Indian Origin (but not a Non-Resident Indian holding an Indian Passport) in the 18-26 age group, keen to see India and its political, economic, social and community landscape, you may be able to do so as a guest of the country, with most of the expenses paid by the State.
The Indian Government is offering a slot for New Zealander Indians in its forthcoming Know Your India Programme in two different time segments this year, the first of which will be hosted by the Goa Government in August-September 2011, followed by the Rajasthan Government in December 2011-January 2012.
Those holding graduate degrees or currently undergoing a graduate course in New Zealand will be eligible to apply for the Programme. Candidates must be fluent in English, having studied the Language as a subject or as a medium of instruction.
Selected students will have opportunities to understand various aspects of India, including the political process, developments in various sectors, the media and the society. As a part of the Programme, they will visit places of historic importance and villages, interact with people, attend cultural and social events and learn yoga.
Selected candidates must pay for their own return airfare to India but would be provided with accommodation, food, transfers and visits, in addition to a daily allowance of `100 for out-of-pocket expenses.
Their visit would be subject to successful processing of appropriate visa.
The selection process will be based on an essay in which the candidates would be required to write in about 300 words why they want to participate in the Programme and what they expected to gain.
An Indian Overseas Affairs Ministry notification said that the participants would not be allowed to abandon the Programme, except under a medical condition.
Application forms can be downloaded from http://knowindiaprogram.com
Completed forms, should be submitted along with a recent passport size photograph to the Indian High Commission, P O Box 4045, Thorndon, Wellington, on or before June 30 and October 15, 2011 respectively for the Goa and Rajasthan Programmes.
