Children of construction workers meet scientists at ISRO, learn about mysteries of the universe

The dreams of construction workers’ children are taking new wings through the Yogi Adityanath government’s ambitious scheme, “Atal Residential School.”

Two Atal Residential School students, Aparna and Shreyansh Vishwakarma, paid a visit to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, as part of an educational tour to ISRO. Children of construction workers, they met ISRO scientists and learned about the mysteries of the universe.

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School Principal Satyendra Prasad Singh said that the Class 7 students had earlier been selected for the Satish Dhawan Space Centre visit based on scoring high marks in mathematics and science in Class 6. They met scientists there and learned about space science and other activities of ISRO.

During the tour, they also visited historical and religious sites, temples, museums, beaches, and other important places in Chennai and Mahabalipuram.

Varanasi region Deputy Labour Commissioner Dr Mahesh Kumar Pandey stated that the two students flew from Lucknow to ISRO as part of a three-day educational tour from February 5 to 7. During the visit, they learned about ISRO’s functioning, were introduced to the world of science, and interacted with leading scientists from the country to understand the mysteries of space. Earlier, Shweta Satte, a Class 7 student of the Atal Residential School, had also visited ISRO.

The UP government is operating Atal Residential Schools at all divisional headquarters across the state. Located in Karasada, Varanasi, this school provides free education to children of construction workers, those rendered destitute during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those eligible for the Chief Minister’s Child Service Scheme. This residential school is based on the CBSE curriculum. All facilities, including smart classrooms, CCTV cameras, solar panels, a computer lab, an astronomy lab, purified drinking water, sports activities, uniforms, books, notebooks, and meals, are available free of charge. There are also separate hostels for boys and girls.

Shreyansh’s father, Santosh Vishwakarma, said, “My son is a bright student, but we lacked the financial resources to educate him. Yogi Adityanath has shaped the future of many generations of my family. He got the opportunity to study because of the Yogi government. I never imagined that my son would reach such a great position, but his dreams have finally come true.”

Aparna’s father, Mrityunjay Singh, said, “Yogi Adityanath’s government gave my daughter the opportunity to study in English medium. Now, she’s gone to ISRO. What the government is doing for children from poor families is something we couldn’t have achieved in our entire lives. Thanks to the Yogi government, which is shaping the future of even poor families like ours.”