Twice a week from 9.30 pm to 10.30 pm, the four students — Subit Saurav, Prerak Vora, Pavitra, Nihar Shah — undertake the initiative — Gyanoday — that aims to enhance the basic computer skills and fluency in English of the 20-odd workers in the course.

Gour Hari Paik, one such mess worker says: “I always wanted to study, but was forced to take up a job after Class X. The students have done a great help to us. Now, we can hope to do better things in life.”

A resident of Kamarpukur village near Mograhat in South 24-Parganas, Paik adds: “I earn Rs 4,230 per month at the mess here. I am confident of getting a job with nearly double the salary in a different hotel now.”

Conceived by the 17th batch of IIM-C about three years ago, the programme kicked off in June 2009.

Subhit Sourav concedes it was difficult to get the mess workers to attend classes.

“Different people have different levels of motivation. Those over 40 years are not very keen to attend classes while those in the 17 to 25 age group exhibit immense interest,” said Sourav.

Vidyananda Jha, a professor in the institute, is confident of bright avenues opening for mess workers on completion of the course.