Students perform at the programme in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Jan. 18: Their family had left for foreign shores years ago. But now they are coming back to learn more about their country, and are being welcomed in grand style.

The students of Chandragupt Institute of Management, Patna (CIMP) organised a cultural programme today for 40 students of Indian origin, who are visiting the country under “Know India Programme”. The student delegates arrived in India on January 12.

Bihar is a first time partner in the programme that has been arranged by the central ministry of overseas Indian affairs. CIMP students Arpita and Garima kick started the programme for the day with a performance of Ganesh Vandana.

A documentary film on the history of Bihar, directed by Nandan Singh and Amrita Kumar, was played for the visitors who came from colleges in the UK, US, South Africa, West Indies and other countries.

The documentary showcased the history of the state. It claimed that mathematician Aryabhatta, who is credited with the discovery of zero, was born in Bihar.

So was Gautam Buddha, who taught the path of ahimsa to the world.

The first President of India, Rajendra Prasad, was also a son of the same soil.

The guests also took the stage and shook a leg.

Jayanti Bachani from Peru performed Shakira’s Hips don’t lie. Nidhi Singh from South Africa said the visit to the state was an eye-opener for her.

“In Noida, we were told that Bihar is an underdeveloped state. But here we find the situation is completely different,” said Singh, whose grandparents hail from Haryana. This is Singh’s second visit to India but the first to Bihar.

Singh added: “There are plenty of places to visit here. People are very courteous and spiritual. Touching the waters of the holy Ganga felt great.”

Qasim Gulamhusein from the UK was mesmerised by his visit to Bodhgaya. “It was a wonderful experience,” he said.

He also had the opportunity to play cricket with children during his visit to Golghar.

“What I really like about Bihar is that people with different religious beliefs live together in harmony,” said Gulamhusein. He was born and brought up in London but his grandparents were from Gujarat.

CIMP director V. Mukunda Das said: “CIMP feels proud to have foreign delegates on the premises. Bihar is far ahead of any other state in terms of spiritual and intellectual leadership.” Das said student delegates are ambassadors of peace.

The purpose of the Know India Programme is to spread awareness about India, its socio-cultural diversity, all-round development and its emergence as an economic powerhouse.