From the nearest bus-stand to the customer service counter, the flurry of student activity has turned the place young. But these school-leaving or college/university students flocking the place are on no childish venture. For a change, they mean business -- they're here to hook on to the world through that magic`Net'. Amitabh Kumar, Director (Operations), VSNL, has some figures to show that Internet is catching on with the Indian youth. Out of over 100,000 connected to the VSNL Internet service in India, around 18,000 are student subscribers, he says. So, among 50 million worldwide using the Internet, Indian student subscribers have made a fair beginning. With roughly 50 students applying for the Internet connection in the country every day, almost the same number of students'account is being opened on a given day,says Amitabh Kumar. The waiting period after submitting the application is usually one to two weeks, he adds.

But what exactly has made Internet so attractive to the student community in India? For those inclined towards unlimited information, subsidised rates have helped a great deal for sure. Says Amitabh Kumar:``Student accounts are given at a subsidised cost of Rs 500 per 500 hours of access in one year.''

This is against Rs 5,000 per 500 hours for the general category in the terminal dial-up service. Even the one-time registration fee is much lower for the student subscribers at Rs 50, while others pay Rs 500. As there is only terminal dial-up account available for students, these subscribers have access to only text-based services. However, there's no limit to the information they can access. The terminal dial up accounts are available for students from five VSNL gateway cities of Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Calcutta. And separate servers have been put up for exclusive use of students,elaborates Amitabh Kumar.

But how does the VSNL establish the genuineness of a student applicant? Amitabh Kumar replies:`` The student has to appear in person at the VSNL office with his/her identity card and other documents to establish the genuineness of his claim.'' Mainly, they're required to furnish a copy of bona fide certificate on a letterhead from the principal for the current academic year and a photocopy of the identity card. The student applying for an Internet connection, at subsidised rates, must study in class XI and above full-time in a recognised institution, and should be under 30 years of age. It is, however, possible that a student applies for an Internet connection at home, but his/her family members use it for business purposes. To this, Amitabh Kumar says:``VSNL is providing Internet accounts at subsidised rates to help the student community use Internet and take full benefit from it. It is provided in all fairness and good intention that the student community will use it only foracademic and research purposes.''

Explaining exactly how students can make the best of Internet, Amitabh Kumar says there's much beyond looking up the study material and job pro-spects. They surf on Internet for frequently asked questions (FAQ), chats, discussions, E-mail to experts and other students and reference sites where rich content is available.

Does that mean then that students are shifting from libraries to the Net? Says Amitabh Kumar:``Internet is supplementing the present libraries and it is difficult to say the libraries will slowly be redundant.'' He reasons that libraries will continue to have its place because printed books have an advantage: They're easier and convenient to read; and you do not require PC, modem, Internet access, etc. Neverthelss, realising the potential of the Internet, VSNL is working on the mindset of the young people in its own way. For instance, there are advertisements all over the place about free Internet connection to students in computer institutes such asAptech. Even if the free connection is for a short duration, what is the idea behind such a move? Amitabh Kumar explains the VSNL tie-up with computer institutes for free Internet connection.

He says institutes such as Aptech and NIIT are engaged in educating people about effective usage of computers in the country through their widespread network. VSNL has walked into the venture of providing free Internet connections to these students so that they become literate about Internet applications and its benefits. To sum it up, these students of Aptech and NIIT are the prospective customers of VSNL, says Amitabh Kumar.