1.       Eleven youths from India have been selected to participate in the South Asian Youth Invitation Program for 2003, which is conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan, with the purpose of inviting bright, talented and promising youths from South Asian countries to learn more about Japanese economy, society, politics, and way of life, through interaction with the youths of Japan.

2.       The program, which started in 1983, has progressed over the years, with 895 youths from South Asia having been invited to Japan until last year.

3.       This year, a total of 39 young men and women from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are invited to participate in the program, scheduled to take place from 29 August to 9 September 2003.

4.        During their stay in Japan, one of the principal activities of the youths would involve engaging in exchange of opinions with their counterparts from Japan and other South Asian countries, on important global issues such as establishment of peace and stability in the South Asian region.  Their other activities would include a study tour to important historical sites, home-stay with Japanese host families, and trips to Kyoto and Hiroshima. 

(The list of Indian participants, and their itinerary in Japan is enclosed herewith for information.)

SOUTH ASIAN YOUTH INVITATION PROGRAM 2003

List of Indian Participants : Total 11

(mentioned region-wise)

DELHI

1.         Mr. Sankhya Krishnan, Research Assistant, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

2.         Mr. N. Manoharan, Research Officer, Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies

3.         Mr. Ashish Sharma, Student, Jawaharlal Nehru University

4.         Ms. Nupur Ray, Student, Delhi University

MUMBAI

1.         Ms. Kashmira Sonawane, Student, Mumbai University

2.         Ms. Paramita Ghosh, Student, University of Pune

3.         Mr. Amol Bhide, Student, University of Pune

KOLKATA

1.         Mr. Sethuraman Janardhanan, Student, Indian Institute of Management

2.         Ms. Sweta Sharma, Student, Calcutta University

CHENNAI

1.         Mr. S. Utham Kumar Jamadhagni, Lecturer, Madras University

2.         Ms. Pallavi Polanki, Student, Asian College of Journalism

Schedule for South Asian Youth Invitation Program

As of 11 August 2003