Till last year, the programme on Independence Day for the tech students used to be extremely short flag-hoisting, a message from the director and the national anthem.

A more detailed programme used to be organised by the children studying in the four schools located inside the campus. But this year, the institute's technology students' association decided the day needs to be celebrated in a more meaningful way.

Students have decided that on the morning of August 15, they will pledge to spend their professional lives in the country. It is common for students of this elite tech institute to go abroad for higher studies, but they will take an oath to finally come back and take up a job in the country so that they can help solve problems through their tech skills and help in its growth process.

``We are in the process of finalising the special programme that we plan to organise this August 15. We have consulted the students and decided that we will take an oath to the effect that even if we have to leave the country for higher studies, we will definitely come back,'' said students' representative Dipak Rathi.

``IIT-Kgp gives us worldclass education in technology. A degree from here is instantly recognised in all the ivy-league campuses of the world. It is unfair if we don't utilise this education for the cause of the country,'' Rathi said.

A written proposal to this effect will be sent to the office of registrar D Gunashekharan on Wednesday. ``It is he who is putting the programme together. AS many as 5,000 students will take the oath. Once we get the permission, we will finalise the script of the oath,'' Rathi added.

Incidentally, IIT-Kgp is the only IIT that does not allow MNCs, which do not have a branch in India, to come for campus placements. As soon as the registrar's permission is received, the students' association will send an online message about the timing and venue of the oath to all the students.

``I am thrilled at the students' proposal. It is a noble thought,'' IIT-Kgp director S K Dube said.