In a profoundly inspiring tale of grit and academic brilliance conquering adversity, 12-year-old Aditi Parthe, the daughter of a daily wage porter, has been selected as one of 25 students from rural schools to embark on a prestigious tour of the NASA headquarters in the United States.
Aditi’s journey from her humble home in Pune’s Bhor taluka to the doorstep of the world’s premier space agency is a testament to her sheer determination. A Class 7 student at the Nigudaghar Zilla Parishad school, Aditi daily walks a strenuous 3.5 km each way to attend school.
Aditi’s family lives a life of stark simplicity. Her father works as a daily wage porter at the Pune Market Yard, and the family does not own a smartphone. Furthermore, her rural school lacks functional computers. Despite these severe limitations on digital access and resources, Aditi excelled in a three-stage competitive selection process conducted by the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) in collaboration with the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).
The rigorous selection process, which tested students on science, mathematics, and general knowledge, saw Aditi emerge among the top 25 students chosen for the overseas trip.
The upcoming trip will be Aditi’s first long-distance journey. Recalling her family’s reaction to the news, the young girl shared her emotional excitement. Her aunt, who has raised her, expressed immense pride, noting that no one in their village had ever traveled by aeroplane.
“I have never even traveled by train, and now I’ll go to America,” Aditi said, tears welling up in her eyes.
The Zilla Parishad is fully sponsoring the trip, which is part of its ‘Dream Travel’ initiative aimed at fostering scientific temper among meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The ZP has expedited the passport process for all 25 students and is seeking a speedy group visa from the US Consulate in Mumbai.
Aditi’s success has not only brought immense joy to her family but has also inspired her entire village, proving that the brightest dreams can take flight, regardless of the hardship on the ground. The student delegation is expected to leave for the US in November.
