Twenty-five children from humble village schools across Pune district are preparing for an extraordinary journey — a study tour to NASA headquarters in the United States. 

For many, it is not just a trip abroad but the first step toward turning distant dreams of space and science into reality.

The initiative, driven by Pune Zilla Parishad under CEO Gajanan Patil, is part of a sweeping effort to reimagine rural education. 

The students were celebrated at a special “Coffee with CEO – Young Minds, Big Dreams” session at Council Hall, where officials, including divisional commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, encouraged them to chase ambitions with grit and imagination.

“Success isn’t handed to you,” Dr. Pulkundwar reminded the group, urging them to see resilience as their launchpad. Patil added, “Education isn’t confined to books. We’re bridging worlds—taking rural talent to global stages.”

The NASA visit is more than exposure to cutting-edge technology; it is designed to instill confidence and broaden horizons for children who, until recently, saw such opportunities as unreachable. 

Selection for the program was carried out with transparency and inclusivity, ensuring representation from every taluka, with oversight by the globally reputed IIUCA.

For the young participants, the anticipation is electric. “I never thought I’d see NASA up close—now, I feel like anything’s possible,” said Vedika Gujar, one of the students selected.

Visa processes are underway, with travel plans soon to follow. Meanwhile, the impact is already rippling outward — inspiring peers back home to aim higher.

In opening global doors for rural children, Pune’s administration has set a powerful precedent: that talent, when nurtured with vision and fairness, can transcend boundaries and truly reach for the stars.