The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay has introduced computer program lectures in Bengali for first year B Tech students who are mainly from the interiors of West Bengal and lack English proficiency.
After Hindi and Marathi, this is the third vernacular being used for special instruction, albeit informal, at the institute. The idea of Hindi and Marathi lectures was started a few years ago by professor D B Phatak of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Bengali was included in the informal initiative this year after professor Supratik Chakraborty of the same department offered to teach students in the language.
Initially, 60-70 students from a batch of 570 signed up for the extra coaching in regional languages. “After a couple of sessions, more students are showing interest,” said Chakraborty.
