From correspondents in Tamil Nadu, India, 10:31 PM IST

The Tamil Nadu government-run MGR Medical University announced Monday that from August its medium of instruction would be Tamil.

'A child hears conversation around him or her some five months before birth and has the language imprinted in the mind. Therefore, comprehension in one's mother tongue is the best for any student and more so in medicine,' K. Mir Mustapha, the varsity's vice-chancellor, told reporters here.

This is the first time that medical courses will be taught in local languages in India.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)