Bhubaneswar, March 7: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, will host a three-day international students’ meet starting tomorrow. Around 150 students from 20 countries will take part in the event.

The third edition of this event will see youngsters vying for top honours in 50 technical, cultural and sporting events to be held over 60 hours. The highlight will be a musical soiree by flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and a “celebrity night” featuring Bollywood singer Kay Kay.

“We have been working hard for the last two months to make this one of the best students’ meet in the country. This time, we are expecting participation from 20 countries, which will make it bigger and better than before. Pandit Chaurasia has agreed to come down to our institute and that will set a new benchmark for us,” said student Sumit. Other attractions are a stand-up comedy session apart from a musical performance by singer Deepali Sathe, a former contestant of a singing reality show on national television.

A laser show, sand art performance and a rock concert by popular band Turnkey is also on the list of events. Among technical events, paper presentations, robotics and entrepreneurship activities will attract students from technical backgrounds while cricket, football, table tennis, badminton, aquatics and basketball tournaments promise to bring the best out of budding sports talents.

The institute’s student activity centre, under the guidance of their professors, are organising the event. The institute had introduced the international students’ meet two years ago to showcase the talent of the students in a wide range of activities.

“This is a unique event epitomising the intermingling of students from diverse backgrounds by blending cultures, traditions and talents worldwide,” said NIT public relations officer R.K. Sinha.