An Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY), begun in 2002, will undergo a change in format to enable its participants to get more exposure to India and its way of life.

Organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, this year's IPDY will be known as 'Know India Programme' and will be different from the four earlier ones.

The programme provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin abroad to share their views, experience and expectations from India.

This year the programme has been made in the nature of an orientation to enable the participants to get exposure to various facets of the Indian way of life, culture, spirituality, adventure and sports, creativity and the composite character of India and interaction with youth from different parts of the country.

Unlike in previous years, the interns will not be attached to any particular institution but will instead be based in New Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, a senior official of the Ministry told IANS.

They will be in New Delhi for two days each at the commencement and conclusion of the programme and in Himachal Pradesh for three weeks.

The programme, organised this year in partnership with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), will comprise 30 youths in the age group of 18 to 25 years.

In Himachal Pradesh, the programme will broadly consist of home stay in a village for a week and exposure to a heritage camp, including a 'national integration camp'.

Training to develop skills in the areas of sculpture, painting, photography and musical instruments is also being arranged.

This apart, trekking expeditions and visits to industrial units in Himachal Pradesh are being organised, according to the official.

Indian missions abroad have been asked to file nominations for the programme. Preference will be given to those who have never come to India before.