Jaipur, Jan 9: Youth from the Indian diaspora will be invited to visit Rajasthan and know the state better, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced here.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 10th annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas diaspora meet here, Gehlot emphasized on the need for ensuring that the younger generation of the diaspora remained "connected" with India.

The chief minister stressed the need for regular interaction between the youth of the country and the youth of Indian origin living abroad.

He said that regular exchanges were necessary to connect the NRI youth with their motherland and to educate them about their heritage.

"It is with this objective that on this auspicious occasion, I declare Know Your Rajasthan Scheme," Gehlot said.

Under this scheme every year 50 men in the age group of 18-28 years from the diaspora would be invited by the state government to visit and experience Rajasthan.

"Ninety percent of the cost of air fare will be borne by the Rajasthan government. Besides this, the expenses on their internal transport, boarding and lodging will also be borne by the Rajasthan government," the chief minister said.

He said that the diaspora from Rajasthan was recognised for its entrepreneurship and hard work and had done the country proud.

"The achievements of business houses like Birla, Bangur, Bajaj, Goenka, Singhania, Poddar and Mittal and others are well known," said the chief minister.