In a bid to support PM Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in a letter addressed to heads of technical institutions, requested all engineering colleges to promote books by Indian authors and publishers.
Back in 2018, the AICTE had launched a model curriculum that included several texts by Indian authors. The list titled 'AICTE list of Books by Indian Authors and Publishers' was developed by an expert committee of academicians from premier institutes and later promoted by the UGC. The letter, referring to the curriculum, said, "High-quality and cost-effective books will definitely aid the students in their better learning of concepts, and in turn improve their quality and simultaneously fulfil the aim of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'"
"AICTE believes that effective and large-scale use of these Indian-authored books by faculties and students will not only promote many Indian authors globally but will also be a strong step towards fulfilling the mission of self-reliance or self-sufficient India," the letter added.
"So, in view of above, you are kindly requested to make this 'AICTE list of Books by Indian Authors and Publishers' available on your university/institute website, and contribute your might towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'," the letter read.