India to invite diaspora youth to witness changes in country

"We are conducting a 'Know India Programme' for 18-26 yr-olds to see the phenomenal transformation in India," said Vayalar Ravi.

India has said it will invite its diaspora youth from across the world to visit their booming motherland which is emerging as a global powerhouse.

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"We are conducting a 'Know India Programme' for diaspora youth in the age group of 18-26 years under which youth of Indian-origin from different countries are invited to visit India to see the phenomenal transformation taking place in India and the country's transition from just a destination for culture, heritage and art to an emerging powerhouse in global economic system," Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, said.

He told the ninth Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) meet in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday evening that the Indian government had also created an Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre as a one stop shop for serving the interests of overseas Indians.

Indian envoy Ashok Kantha read out the minister's speech as Ravi could not make it to the conference due to "pressing domestic commitments."

Ravi said New Delhi was in the process of establishing a Unviersity in India to provide world class higher education to PIO (Persons of Indian Origin)/NRI students in the Indian environment.

"We have started a scheme for grant of scholarships to the children of PIOs/NRIs for higher studies in India," he said.