‘Never even travelled by train’: 12-year-old porter’s daughter Aditi Parthe to visit NASA as part of Pune ZP initiative
‘Never even travelled by train’: 12-year-old porter’s daughter Aditi Parthe to visit NASA as part of Pune ZP initiative
Walking 3.5 km daily to school without a smartphone or computer, Aditi’s journey from a rural classroom in Bhor to NASA embodies pure determination and hope.
Twelve-year-old Aditi Parthe from Nigudaghar Zilla Parishad School in Pune’s Bhor taluka has achieved what many only dream of — she’s among 25 students selected to visit the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) later this year. The daughter of a daily wage porter, Aditi’s story is one of perseverance and promise rising from humble beginnings as reported by Indian Express.
Every day, she walks over 3.5 km each way to attend her school. Her family doesn’t own a smartphone, and her school lacks functional computers. Yet, she cleared three rigorous rounds of testing conducted by the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), emerging among the top 25 students chosen for the NASA visit.
“I have never even travelled by train, and now I’ll go to America,” Aditi said with tearful pride, recalling how her aunt and mother cried with joy after hearing the news. Her aunt, Mangal Kank, who raised her, said, “None of us have even seen an aeroplane. It’s a matter of huge pride for us. We just hope our children study well and build a better life.”
From 13,671 participants in the first round to just 235 in the final interview at IUCAA, the selection process tested students’ knowledge across science and geography. With no access to computers, the school’s headmaster, Ashok Bandal, used his personal laptop to train the students. “Aditi is bright, curious, and full of life — she deserves this opportunity,” said her teacher, Varsha Kuthwad.
The initiative, jointly funded by the ZP and District Planning Development Committee (DPDC) with a total budget of ₹2.2 crore, also includes an ISRO visit for 50 students and a NASA trip for 25. The ZP facilitated tatkal passports and has sought expedited US visas with the help of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The children will be accompanied by teachers, IUCAA staff, and a medical officer.
IUCAA’s SciPOP in-charge Samir Dhurdhe said they are coordinating meetings between the students and Marathi-speaking Indian-origin scientists at NASA to make the experience more personal and inspiring.
For Aditi, who dreams of becoming a scientist, this journey is far more than just a trip, it’s the beginning of a new orbit of hope for every child who dares to dream beyond their circumstances.
