Team Blitz India
The 74th edition of the Know India Programme (KIP) is underway, showcasing India’s commitment to engaging with its global diaspora. Recently, 40 People of Indian Origin (PIO) youth convened at the Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad, The convention brought back memories of the enduring struggles faced by ‘Girmitiya’ nations and their diaspora. Girmitiya, also known as jahajis, were a significant part of the Indian population that migrated under the Indian indentured labour category during the 18th century.
The programme sheds light on their journeys, initially working in sugarcane and coffee plantations across countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion Island, and Trinidad & Tobago. Despite enduring exploitation and discrimination, their Indian identity remained a steadfast bond to their homeland.
Recognising the disconnect between subsequent generations of PIOs and their ancestral roots, the Government launched KIP in 2003. This year’s 74th edition, from February 11 to March 1, marked the fourth KIP in 2024 alone.
KIP is a structured programme for young PIOs which immerses them in India’s rich socio-economic and cultural landscape. Participants embark on a journey across the nation, visiting monuments, tourist attractions, cultural centres, and academic institutions.
They are exposed to traditional practices like yoga, Ayurveda, classical music, and dance forms. Crucially, they also engage with institutions of democracy and governance, including Parliament of India and the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
