IBM has not only sponsored 50 computers that can be used to train 2400 students annually, but the company has also announced an annual funding of Rs 25 lakh to meet the cost of training and maintenance.

Local MP and the Vice Chairman of the institute, Murli Deora, stated in a press release that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will inaugurate the new computer centre, located in the Bhavan's Chowpatty premises on November 6, at 3.30 pm.

The Bhavan's President C Subramaniam, Secretary and Director-General S Ramakrishnan, along with the Worldwide Head of IBM Software Mark Elliot and the President of Tata-IBM Dr Mukesh Aghi will be present on the occasion.

``For the past two years we have been spending considerable time, energy and resources on promoting India's first ever freecomputer education programme for the educated unemployed youth from the under-priviledged sections,'' stated Deora.

The first centre of the computer institute was launched on July 23, 1996, by the then finance minister Manmohan Singh. The institute runs five centres, two in Mumbai and one each in Chennai, New Delhi and Gwalior, and has plans to open 50 centres all over India by the year 2000 to train 50,000 students annually.

The Gawlior centre was inaugurated by C Subramaniam on September 21, 1998. Last year, the Microsoft chief, Bill Gates, had also announced substantial grants for the cause, during his visit to India.