The NGO has been set up by Mani Bhowmik, an NRI. He had expressed his desire to construct a world-class IT university there.
The title deed for the land was formally handed over to Bhowmik by Principal Secretary (Land and land reforms department) P K Agarwal, in the presence of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at Writers’ Building on Thursday.
The original cost of the land was Rs 11.26 crore but since it was being used for a philanthropic cause, the government waived 60 per cent of the cost and the Foundation got it for Rs 4.76 crore only .
“The IT university at Rajarhat will largely benefit our young people,” Bhattacharjee said.
Bhowmik said that he had made a 26-episode animation film on education and wants it to be distributed among schools for free. “The chief minister has sent a letter to the School Education department to arrange for the same,” Bhowmik said.
Poor and meritorious students from rural areas will be given special opportunities at the IT university.
D P Barua, an official of the Foundation, said: “There will be a free 500-bed hostel catering to rural students. There will also be a library for 1,000 students and a state-of-the-art auditorium.”