50 Rural Students Take Giant Leap Towards Space Science with ISRO Visit

In a remarkable initiative by Pune’s Zilla Parishad, 50 talented students from rural schools have departed for an educational tour to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This carefully organized program, running from October 6 to 9, 2025, is designed exclusively for students of classes 6 and 7 from Zilla Parishad primary schools and is funded through the District Planning Fund.

The students were selected from over 17,000 applicants through a rigorous three-stage examination process, emphasizing academic performance and aptitude in science. This initiative aligns with Pune Zilla Parishad's commitment to nurturing scientific curiosity and encouraging young minds from rural backgrounds to explore opportunities in science and technology.

The tour covers visits to significant ISRO facilities such as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO headquarters, and other scientific and research centers in Thiruvananthapuram. Accompanying the students are scientists from the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), providing expert guidance and interactive sessions throughout the tour.

Notably, for many participants, this trip also marks their first experience of air travel, adding an element of excitement and broadening their world horizons. Students received prior briefings on flight safety and travel etiquette at Pune Airport, where officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and IndiGo Airlines formally sent them off.

The group consists of an equal number of boys and girls (25 each), accompanied by six teachers, two tour agency representatives, and education department officials including Extension Officer Chandrakant Ugale and Deputy Education Officer Sunil Gache.

Important Points:

Over 17,000 students from Zilla Parishad schools applied; 50 were selected for the ISRO tour after multi-tiered competitive testing.

The tour enhances hands-on learning experiences by exposing rural students to cutting-edge space science and research.

Accompanying IUCAA scientists offer mentorship and deepen the students’ understanding of astronomy and astrophysics.

This educational exposure is part of a broader plan, including other student tours to NASA, Delhi, and Mumbai.

The initiative promotes gender parity with equal representation of boys and girls on the tour.

The trip emphasizes expanding rural students' aspirations by combining scientific education with real-world exposure.

Leadership credit goes to Pune Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil and Education Officer Sanjay Naikde for conceptualizing this inspiring program.

This initiative reflects a pioneering step towards bridging the urban-rural gap in science education and inspiring the next generation of innovators from Maharashtra’s rural heartland.

Sources: Indian Express, Free Press Journal, Pune Kar News, My Pune Pulse, Hindustan Times