Nashik students visiting the ISRO exhibition and learning about the scaled models on display from Ashoka’s student volunteers.
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], March 25:The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joined hands with Ashoka Group of Schools in Nashik to organise the Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition (VSSE) from February 22–24, 2026 that was attended by over 12,000 students and citizens from Nashik and beyond.
Among the 47 educational institutes that attended, 25 were Zilla Parishad and Nashik Municipal Corporation schools — a significant outreach achievement that expanded access to space science learning. Visitors of all age groups explored India’s space journey, learning about satellites, their applications, landmark ISRO missions, and upcoming projects.
Nashik mayor Himgauri Adke and Senior Scientist & Deputy Project Director, GSAT-15 Jayant Joshi inaugurated the exhibition that aims to inspire curiosity and encourage the next generation to take up careers in astronomy and space science.
Other dignitaries present at the inauguration include Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad team’s Dr. S. P. Vyas (Retd. Senior Scientist), Rahul Bhadane, Disha Dave, Pranav Pandya, and Amit Mali (Science Communicators). Other dignitaries who attended the inauguration function included Machindra Kadam (Secretary, HSC Board, Nashik division), Sailata Samleti (Education Officer (Primary), Zilla Parishad, Nashik), Ashok Katariya (Founder Chairman of Ashoka Group of Schools & Chairman, Ashoka Buildcon), Sanjay Londhe (Director & CEO, Ashoka Buildcon), Astha Kataria (Managing Trustee, Ashoka Group of Schools, and NASA Space Educator Apurva Jakhadi, along with others.
“We’re all elated that the ISRO team has come to Nashik at Ashoka again to enlighten Nashik’s community. We are thankful to Ashoka Group of Schools’ team for leading this initiative,” mentioned Mayor Himgauri Adke in her address during the opening ceremony.
Taking about prompt engineering and AI, Chief Guest Jayant Joshi said, “In the time of out-of-textbook education, such initiatives will be crucial to the teaching-learning process where children can experience space education first-hand. Also, ISRO is a great example of how one rises from the ashes to build something great.”
The exhibition featured 16 detailed scaled models of satellites, launch vehicles, Indian space mission equipment and technology alongside an engaging audio-visual presentation highlighting India’s space journey. ISRO scientists and trained Ashoka students personally explained the showcase, helping visitors better understand the exhibits.
Notably, ISRO selected Ashoka Group of Schools to host this exhibition for the second time, making it the only school in the country to have held it twice.
Riya Pramod Yadav, a 7th grade student from a private school visiting the exhibition shared, “I was spellbound seeing the satellite models. The student volunteers explained everything so simply that I understood it clearly.”
Another visitor, Gajaar Vitthal Ahodaar, a Teacher at a Zilla Parishad school added, “Such exhibitions ignite curiosity and introduce students to fields beyond the regular curriculum, especially benefiting schools in Nashik and nearby rural areas.”
Dr. S. P. Vyas (Retd. Sr. Scientist, Space Applications Centre, ISRO) remarked, “ISRO partners with institutions that demonstrate commitment to scientific outreach. Ashoka’s preparedness, discipline, and quality student engagement made it a natural choice to host the exhibition again.”
Astha Kataria, Managing Trustee, Ashoka Group of Schools, stated, “Our aim was to make India’s space achievements accessible to every student and ignite aspirations through real-world scientific exposure.”
The overwhelming response has made this exhibition a proud milestone in Nashik’s educational journey.
For more information, please contact Fatema Zaweri, PRO,
Ashoka Group of Schools at 9920156752 or fatema.zaweri@ausindia.org
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