27 April,2026 07:16 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Eknath Shinde`s Office
A group of 59 students from rural schools in Thane district has been selected to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of the âMission Bharari' initiative. The programme, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is designed to provide students from Zilla Parishad schools with exposure to advanced scientific institutions and technologies.
The educational tour was flagged off on Monday morning from the District Planning office in Thane.
The initiative was launched on January 26, 2026, and witnessed participation from 9,316 students studying in Classes 5 to 8 across the district. Following a multi-stage selection process, 2,007 students were shortlisted at the taluka level, and 478 advanced to the district-level examination.
From this pool, 59 students were selected - averaging around 10 from each taluka. The group includes 54 students from Marathi-medium schools and five from Urdu-medium institutions.
Officials said the selection was based on academic merit and aimed at identifying students with strong aptitude and interest in science.
According to Eknath Shinde, the initiative goes beyond a routine educational tour. It is intended to enhance students' confidence, improve learning outcomes, and foster interest in science and technology.
During the visit, students will get first-hand exposure to research facilities, laboratories, and developments in space science.
The students are scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram on April 27. The itinerary includes visits to prominent cultural and scientific sites such as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue on April 28.
On April 29, the group will visit key ISRO facilities, including the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. They will also explore the Priyadarshini Planetarium.
The remaining days include visits to museums, including the Napier Museum, before the group returns.
Authorities have arranged accommodation, transport, and medical support for the students throughout the tour. Officials said adequate measures have been taken to ensure safety and comfort, including dedicated medical personnel accompanying the group.
Students have also been provided with travel essentials such as uniforms, footwear, identification cards, and luggage kits.
A budget of Rs 50 lakh has been allocated for the programme through the District Planning Committee.
Describing the initiative as a step towards bridging the rural-urban gap in educational exposure, Eknath Shinde said the programme reflects an effort to connect rural students with national-level institutions.
He also referred to the emphasis on education and scientific thinking advocated by leaders such as A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sant Gadge Baba.
Officials said that upon returning, participating students will share their experiences with peers, potentially encouraging wider interest in science education across Zilla Parishad schools.
The flag-off event was attended by several public representatives and district officials, including MLAs Kisan Kathore, Niranjan Davkhare, Rajesh More, and Shantaram More, along with Teachers' MLA Dnyaneshwar Mhatre and senior administrative officers.
