Mandi, Feb 24 Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Tenchnology (IIT) at Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that it was a historic moment for Mandi, a town famous for its temples to have new temple of learning in the form of IIT.

Sharma emphasized that the Central and State Government should work together for the welfare of the people and for enhancing the prestige of the nation.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Professor Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was also present on the occasion, said that the new IIT has fulfilled the long cherished dream of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

He hoped that IIT Mandi will soon become a landmark on the educational map of the country.

IIT Roorkee's Director, Professor S. C. Saxena will look after the IIT Mandi as well.

IIT Mandi will start its academic functioning from July 2009.

A total of one hundred and twenty students will be admitted here.

The seven other new IITs have been set up in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Orissa and Indore. (ANI)