rom providing discounts in flight and train fares, accomodations in over 100 countries of the world, the International Students Identity Card benefits millions of students abroad.

Travel agencies say the multi-purpose document is yet to find a foothold in India, where students, unaware of its various utilities, are missing out on expedient and fast travel across the seas.

Among the reasons for its lack of popularity, it is lack of awareness and publicity about this card.

"We started with a small team of two people during the 1990s, promoting the cards on a one-to-one basis," says Isha Goyal, Director, Stic Travels Groups, the sole licensing authority of the cards in India.

"To popularise the cards, we have recently tied up with two nationalised banks in the country who are willing to provide educational loans to holders of the ISIC at very competitive rates," she says.

With over 4.5 million holders of the card worldwide, officials are now looking forward to bring under its fold more Indian students wanting to study abroad. "We have entered into an agreement with e-books portals, career consultancies who offer special packages to the card holders," she says.

The ISIC which is issued under the umbrella of International Students Travel Federation, endorsed by the UNESCO, is provided to students above the age of 12 in over 100 countries.

The card costs Rs 250 and is valid for 18 months.

What the card gets you:

i. 25 percent off on airline tickets.

ii. Short-term health and accident coverage.

iii. Access to local recreation centres and sight-seeing.

iv. Access to 24 hours emergency services.

"We are now trying to create awareness among the student community about the card by expanding its benefits," Goyal says, adding that direct promotion in the form of road shows and education fairs are in pipeline to make the card popular.

"We keep an updated data bank of students whom we contact on a regular basis to inform them about the utility of the card and its special features," she says.

About the ISIC

The ISIC is the only internationally accepted students' identity card which is actively promoted by the ISTF.

The card provides scope for flexibility -- a student can even refund or change his/ her route when desired.

"If a student wants to change his/ her travel plans, s/he can contact the nearest offices of the ISTF and the necessary changes will be made," she says.

Interestingly, students from small towns are also gradually showing interest in the card, busting the myth that only metro dwellers are aware of its existence, says Goyal.

"We get calls from places like Ludhiana and Chandigarh where students express desire to know more about the card through e-mail," she says.