If these engineering students have their way, textbooks and guides will soon carry advertisements. Inspired by the Entrepreneurship Summit (E-summit) hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, two final year engineering students have come up with the idea to reduce the cost of expensive course books.

 

Naraesh Menghrajani and Tushar Manik, final year students of Watumull Institute of Engineering, Worli, are now planning to distribute 50,000 guide books to engineering students across the city, for free. They are making up the cost of printing and publishing by including advertisements.

 

"As engineering students, we have to purchase expensive reference and guide books every year. We came up with the concept that if we could include advertisements from local businessmen or brands, it would make up the cost of printing and publishing," said Menghrajani.

 

The duo is already in talks with brands like Fame Cinemas and Radio city, for advertising in the book. "We are publishing the old university question papers. This will be for all streams of engineering students. Every engineering student buys a copy of it and it costs around Rs100 to Rs200. By displaying ads in the book, it benefits both the advertisers and the students," explained 21-year-old Manik.

 

Menghrajani and Manik say they have received interesting offers from local businesses. "Since the books will be distributed across the city, local businessmen who advertise through pamphlets find them a good vehicle to reach local students," said Manik.

 

They have also started a website, studentspublications.com, to inform students about the option of getting textbooks and guide books for free.

 

"We approached the principals of several engineering colleges, and they are keen to distribute the books. Initially, we are printing the book only for third and fourth-year students," Menghrajani informed.

 

URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1238314