The 'Earn While You Learn' scheme launched by Sri Arvind Mahila College, a Patna-based constituent unit of Magadh University, has become an instant hit, with more and more girls opting for the scheme.

The college has started short-term courses of one to three months' duration for making the girls conversant with various skills and providing them an opportunity to earn, said college principal Asha Singh.

The courses being run under this scheme include computer training, food processing, wood craft, Madhubani painting, sujni craft and clay modeling. By learning these skills, the girls would be able to manufacture their own products and sell them on the college campus itself. That way, they can meet the expenses on their tuition and books, Singh said.

The college has also launched a special drive for improving the personality of the girls. All the students of college are given two hours' training every day for improving their body language, communication skill, leadership traits, mannerisms and etiquette, group discussion and interview. They are also being imparted some basic training in yoga.

The college is set to introduce postgraduate teaching in as many as nine subjects from the academic session 2012-13. The subjects in which P-G courses are to be introduced include Hindi, sociology, history, political science economics, music, commerce, psychology and home science.

The college celebrated Freshers' Day on Wednesday by organizing colourful programmes of music and dance. Jigyasa of first year I Com was declared Miss Arvind Mahila College followed by Raj Lakshmi of B Com Part I (first runner-up) and Geetali of B Com Part I (second runner-up). They were crowned with the titles by the principal amidst thunderous applauds. Asha Tripathi of history department conducted the programme.