From Child-Care Homes to Sriharikota: 43 Maharashtra Students Get a Close Look at ISRO
Sriharikota/Pune, 13th August 2026: Forty-three students from various child-care institutions across Maharashtra, accompanied by 30 volunteers, visited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facility at Sriharikota as part of an educational programme organised by the Care For You Foundation.
The visit aimed to familiarise the children with India’s achievements in space research and technological development.
Krishna Prakash, IPS, Chief Adviser to the Care For You Foundation, accompanied the group and encouraged the students throughout the programme.
During the visit, the students interacted with senior ISRO directors and scientists, who explained the importance of precision, discipline, teamwork and dedication in the success of India’s space missions. A major highlight was an online interaction with ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan from Bengaluru. Despite his busy schedule, Narayanan spoke with the children and encouraged them to pursue knowledge and develop an interest in science.
The students visited the First Launch Pad and Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota, as well as the Control Room and its VIP seating area. Seeing the facilities from where several important Indian space missions have been launched gave the children a firsthand understanding of India’s space programme.
N. Kumar, Library Officer-D, LIRD/MSA, SDSC SHAR, explained various aspects of space science in simple terms and answered the students’ questions. Director Shukla also explained several technical concepts in Hindi, making the subject more accessible and engaging for the children.
The foundation also met and felicitated several ISRO officials and scientists, including S. Muthuchelzhian, Distinguished Scientist and Director, SDSC SHAR; P. Gopi Krishna, Deputy Director, MSA, SDSC SHAR; and V. Bhaskaran, Group Head, PMTCG, MSA, SDSC SHAR.
The Care For You Foundation praised ISRO for making arrangements for transportation, accommodation, meals and other facilities. It also expressed gratitude to the Women and Child Development Department for granting permission for the visit and acknowledged the support extended by ISRO officials, scientists, volunteers and others involved in organising the programme.
For the students, the visit was more than an educational excursion. It offered them an opportunity to see India’s space programme up close and inspired them to dream bigger, set higher goals and believe that knowledge, hard work, dedication and perseverance can help them achieve their ambitions.
