The George Telegraph Training Institute was founded in 1920 by the late Haripada Dutta, to promote vocational education in the post-World War I period.

Initially, Dutta had started a typing and stenography school at Sealdah in Calcutta in 1916, with half a dozen students. This had become very popular in the city.

In 1920, following a request from the British government, Dutta started the country's first wireless and telegraphy course. The one-year course was later upgraded to three separate modules adding up to five years.

Those were the days when the British government was expanding India's railway system, and there was an acute need for telegraph operators. George Telegraph's students were absorbed as assistant station masters in the Railways. Theinstitute even functioned as a railway training centre for assistant station masters, signallers and guards between 1925 and 1958.

The modern-day George Telegraph offers 28 vocational courses in different fields, and has around 5,000 students on its rolls at any given moment. The flagship course -- the diploma in electronics & telecommunication engineering -- is recognised by the Union government's ministry of communications. Other courses are recognised by the Indian Railways and the Railway Board.

Dutta's aim was to establish George Telegraph as a one-stop shop for comprehensive training for the educated unemployed youth. He also hoped to encourage students to set up their own businesses.

During the World War II, George Telegraph began training non-commissioned officers and personnel of the British Indian Army. The institute trained army personnel in the northern, eastern, western and southern commands of the British Army in India and Burma.

At present, the institute has 12 centres in eastern India-- three in Calcutta and one each at Asansol, Berhampore, Siliguri, Malda, Bagnan, Konnagar, Guwahati, Tinsukia and Agartala.

According to Gora Dutta, vice-principal of the institute, ``Following the entry of global automobile majors, the automobile engineering course is becoming popular. Students of the electronics and refrigeration course are being absorbed by majors like Philips, Voltas and Goldstar.

The institute also trains workers of industrial units and 20 to 30 per cent of the students in each batch are sponsored by industrial units.

George Telegraph has a placement cell with a 30 per cent success record. Another 30 per cent of the successful students start their own businesses.

Course fees range from Rs 800 to Rs 11,800 depending on the duration and the type of course. The course duration varies from one to four years. The minimum qualification for getting admission to a course in George Telegraph is clearance at the plus two level.

The institute starts its session in May every year, afterthe higher secondary examinations are over. Another session begins in September every year after the results are declared. This is the major session for the institute. Contact address: 31A, S P Mukherjee Road, Calcutta -- 700 025. Fax 475 9696.