(Image source from: www.indiatvnews.com)

In a move to connect high school Americn students of Indian Origin to their own country a Indian-American organisation announced a full funded scholarship programme to the students.to travel in India.

It will be three week fully funded programme for selected students.

A statement released on Wednesday said “ The programme is named as Heritage India by Indiaspora and powered by 360+ to build connections and promote closer relations between India and their diaspora populations”

8 high school students will receive the scholarships from Indiaspora to take part in the program and connect to ancestral homeland.

The Theme of the Program will be “ India’s Riches: History, Culture, Diversity and Democracy.”

The statement said Students will visit three areas of India that are geographically and culturally diverse, yet all very much represent India: New Delhi, Gujarat, and Kerala.

It is designed for students to experience India’s rich cultural history, participate in hands-on projects, engage in stimulating discussions, and create lifelong bonds with a cohort that will share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Heritage India is open to high school students who will be between 15 to 18 years of age at the time of trip and are of Indian Origin. It will take place July 21 to August 10 

Preference will be given to those who have never had the opportunity to visit India.

There are eight spots available that will be fully funded by Indiaspora, the statement said.

Heritage India will be overseen by Indiaspora Patron member Sridar Iyengar, an independent mentor investor in early-stage startups and former Chairman and CEO of KPMG India, who has created similar programs for a diverse group of youth through his organization, 360+.
  
“There is an underserved part of our community who may not be able to experience India. We hope this birthright program will provide them the means,”Iyengar said. 

“Giving them the opportunity to travel to their roots should reinforce their connection to that heritage," he said.
     
“Heritage is such an integral part of someone's identity. We are proud to announce this program, which will give these students a potentially life-changing experience,”Gabrielle Trippe, Indiaspora's philanthropy initiatives manager, said.

“2nd and 3rd diaspora often do not feel as close of a connection to their homeland. We believe this program will provide them with the opportunity to bridge this gap,” she said.

-Sai Kumar