Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Engages with North Eastern Students Visiting ISRO Under NE-SPARKS

New Delhi, September 18, 2025 – Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, virtually interacted with school students from the North Eastern states who recently visited ISRO headquarters as part of the NE-SPARKS programme. The initiative, organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with NESAC-ISRO and eight North Eastern state governments, aims to inspire young students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

During the session, students shared their experiences of touring ISRO facilities and learning about India’s achievements in space science, including satellite integration, mission planning, and upcoming projects like Gaganyaan.  Scindia lauded their curiosity and encouraged them to pursue careers in science and technology.

The NE-SPARKS (North East Students’ Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space) initiative targets 800 meritorious students—100 from each Northeastern state—to visit premier ISRO centers in Bengaluru. So far, four batches have completed the program, providing immersive learning opportunities to 394 students (189 male, 205 female). Each group included representatives from all eight states, along with state coordinators and NESAC/NEC facilitators.

Scindia highlighted India’s recent space milestones, such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, emphasizing the importance of nurturing scientific curiosity among youth from every corner of the country. Students shared their reflections on the visit, expressing newfound clarity in academic goals and a stronger resolve to contribute to scientific advancements.

The Minister underlined the inclusive vision of NE-SPARKS, stating, “Every child carries a spark of curiosity and intelligence, which can shine from any part of the country and the world.” Future batches are being planned in close coordination with state governments and educational institutions to ensure maximum outreach and impact, moving closer to the program’s goal of 800 students.