In a transformative stride for rural education, six students from Nashik Zilla Parishad schools—who earned admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) through the district’s Super 50 initiative—are poised to embark on an educational tour of the United States. The week-long visit will include a tour of NASA, the world’s foremost space exploration agency, alongside stops at renowned American universities, research laboratories, and technology hubs.
The Super 50 program has already reshaped opportunity structures for rural students in Nashik by offering intensive residential coaching, expert mentorship, and comprehensive support for highly competitive examinations such as the JEE and NEET. Expanding on this foundation, Chief Executive Officer Omkar Pawar (IAS) envisioned the “Nashik to NASA” initiative to provide international exposure for high-achieving students from modest backgrounds. A teacher, chosen through a competitive selection process, will accompany the delegation.
Mr. Pawar, a 2022-batch IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre and native of Satara district, brings a deeply rooted understanding of rural life. Hailing from an agricultural family, he maintained his connection to agrarian realities, even working on farms during his preparation for the UPSC examinations. His administrative assignments—including roles as Assistant Collector in Gadchiroli and Igatpuri—preceded his appointment as CEO of Nashik Zilla Parishad in 2025. Recognized for his proactive governance, he has led campaigns against malnutrition as a designated “Nutrition Ambassador” and enhanced rural healthcare through unannounced inspections of local health centers.
“With ‘Nashik to NASA,’ we aim to give global wings to the dreams of rural students and demonstrate that Zilla Parishad schools can produce achievers of international caliber,” Mr. Pawar remarked.
Now established as an annual endeavor, this pioneering initiative is set to inspire thousands of students across Nashik. By connecting village classrooms to world-class institutions like NASA, the program exemplifies the transformative potential of visionary leadership and affirms that talent from rural India can excel on the global stage.
