Under the banner of Forum of Engineering Teachers and Students (FETS), students and professors from 80 private engineering colleges held a signature campaign in favour of the Tata Nano project in Singur.

“We have come here to say that we want industrialisation as it will create job opportunities,” said Shantanu Bhowmick, Netaji Subhas Engineering College student.

The forum will be submitting a memorandum to Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi as well as Ratan Tata, emphasizing the need for industries in the state.

“If the Tatas move out of Bengal it will be a great loss for our students. The success of Nano will open doors to other industries like DLF, Wipro and our students will reap the benefits,” said Professor Md Sahanur Islam, joint convenor of the association.

“Industrialisation also means recruitment of our students. If the Tatas roll back then others will be skeptical to invest in the state,” said N R Banerjea, vice-chancellor, Bengal Engineering and Science University.