A group of 13 meritorious students from Imphal West, Kakching, and Jiribam districts was flagged off today at Imphal Airport to participate in the North East-Students Program for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) 2025.
The program, jointly organised by ISRO Bengaluru, NESAC Shillong, the Planning Department, Manipur, and the Department of Education (Schools), Manipur, is designed to nurture scientific curiosity among students in the Northeast.
A Glimpse Into India’s Space Future
The students will travel to Bengaluru from 27th–30th August 2025, where they will get an opportunity to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters and gain a closer understanding of India’s space program. They will also be introduced to satellite technology, rocket systems, and ongoing projects in space exploration.
Most importantly, the young participants will have the rare chance to interact with senior ISRO scientists, allowing them to ask questions, learn about career pathways, and understand how India is shaping its role in the global space sector.
Guiding Mentor
The student team is accompanied by Teacher Coordinator Smt. Lisam Jiteshwari Devi, Lecturer at Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School, Imphal. She expressed hope that the program will open new doors of knowledge and inspiration for the participants.
“Such initiatives are essential to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world science. I am confident this exposure will ignite a deeper interest in space research among these bright students,” she said.
A Platform for Aspiration and Innovation
Officials from the Planning and Education Departments highlighted the importance of NE-SPARKS in encouraging scientific thinking and broadening horizons for young learners in the Northeast.
By allowing school students to step into India’s premier space research institutions, the initiative aims to:
Enhance awareness of India’s achievements in space technology.
Inspire careers in science, engineering, and innovation.
Encourage representation of Northeast students in national and global scientific communities.
Building the Next Generation of Innovators
For Manipur, the program is more than just an educational trip—it represents a vision for the future. As these 13 students embark on their journey to ISRO, they carry with them the aspirations of thousands of young minds across the state.
The Government of Manipur expressed best wishes to the delegation, noting that experiences like NE-SPARKS 2025 will help create a new generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers who can contribute to both state and nation-building.