The Know India Programme aims to strengthen the emotional and cultural ties between young Indian diaspora and their ancestral homeland. Photo: Supplied
As India marks its 78th Independence Day on 15 August, a pair of Indian New Zealanders discuss how the Know India Programme gave them an opportunity to connect with their roots and gain a deeper understanding of their ancestral homeland.
The Know India Programme is an Indian government initiative that seeks to engage and educate Indian diaspora youth, aged 21 to 35, about their cultural heritage and the contemporary realities of the South Asian nation.
The programme is open to youth of Indian origin worldwide (excluding Non-Resident Indians), with preference given to those from Girmitiya countries, including Fiji, South Africa, Mauritius, Suriname, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The three-week programme allows around 40 young people of Indian origin from different parts of the world to explore India, organised through their respective high commissions.
"I saw a Facebook post that the Indian High Commission in Wellington put up and I took a look at the programme and put forward an application to go on the trip," says Chander Ravi, a banking professional from Wellington.
The programme, launched in 2003 by India's Ministry of External Affairs, aims to strengthen the emotional and cultural connection between young Indian diaspora and their ancestral homeland.
Chander Ravi travelled to India as part of the Know India Programme in July 2024. Photo: Supplied
Ravi, 28, was selected for the Know India Programme by the Indian High Commission in July.
Ravi was three years old when his family moved to New Zealand from southern India in 1999.
"I've visited India multiple times before, but it was always to see my family in the south and for cricket," he says. "This trip offered a broader exposure to India."
Ravi says the application process was straightforward, and the Indian High Commission was very supportive in guiding him through the necessary steps before his departure in July.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs' website, the Know India Programme offers participants a comprehensive understanding of India through curated tours, including visits to leading institutions, interactions with experts and exposure to the country's cultural, historical and economic landscape.
As well as providing full hospitality for the trip, the ministry arranges return air tickets, with participants required to pay 10 percent of the total airfare.
Ravi describes the trip as "extremely informative," noting that the group followed a tight schedule each morning with various visits.
He traveled to Bihar, a state in eastern India, and visited several temples.
"It's a very well-rounded trip," he says. "You get good exposure and, of course, get to see different parts of Delhi as well."
Ravi says his visit to the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, holds a special place in his heart.
Dev Verma, another participant on the programme, echoes Ravi's sentiments.
The 20-year-old was selected to take part in the programme in 2023.
"My dad is from Punjab and my mum is from Mumbai, so I've been to India before, but this experience was different says Verma, a project manager from Auckland.
Dev Verma from Auckland visited India as part of the Know India Programme in 2023. Photo: Supplied
Verma says the trip offered participants access to places the public wouldn't usually get to see, such as Rashtrapati Bhavan, various Indian ministries and India's Parliament.
He also visited Kerala, before describing his trip to the Taj Mahal as his highlight.
Verma says the programme provided insight into how India is working to boost its economy and infrastructure.
Ravi agrees.
"I got to see what India has achieved in recent years and what the country is planning to do in the coming years," he says. "You can actually see a transformative change."
Ravi was particularly impressed with India's digital payment system, known as UPI (Unified Payments Interface).
Both Ravi and Verma acknowledge that there were some challenges during the trip.
The three-week programme allows around 40 young people of Indian origin from different parts of the world to explore India. Photo: Facebook / Diaspora India Connect
Ravi expresses some concern about the pollution levels in Delhi and the risk of food poisoning.
"You have this great opportunity to explore local markets and try street food, but most of us in the group got sick," he says. "I'd recommend carrying some medicine."
Verma says some of the hotels they stayed in during the Kerala phase of the trip were disappointing.
"They were a bit sub-par, in my opinion," he recalls.
Despite these issues, both participants agree on one thing - they made some great friends along the way.
"The best thing was the people," Verma says. "I'd recommend this trip to everyone."