Bihar

Did Narayan get a place at an IIT?

David Goldblatt reports from a small town in the Indian state of Bihar that has turned into something of an academic hothouse.

More than 50 students from the poor weaver's community of Patwatoli have gained entry to the IITs, India's scientific equivalent of Oxbridge, in the last 10 years.

It is the week before the annual entrance exam, and the tension among the students is mounting.

Crossing Continents: Bihar

BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents is broadcast on Thursday, 27 August, 2009 at 1102 BST and is repeated on Monday, 31 August, 2009 at 20:30 BST.

Reporter: David Goldblatt
Producer: Tim Mansel

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