Reach for the stars: Tripuras remote school opens space education library

kumarghat (tripura): aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists, a space education library has been set up at east raitwisa darlong para high school in tripura's remote unakoti district.the library features scaled models of satellite launch vehicles, including slv mark-ii, pslv, gslv, and popular missions such as chandrayaan, mars mission, and solar mission. pre-recorded lectures on space science are also available for students."our main objective is to create facilities so that students in remote tribal areas can visualise india's progress—from carrying rockets on bicycles to the present human missions. we want to fuel interest in space education and help it gain momentum," said sudip bhowmik, block development officer (bdo) of kumarghat.over 100 books and children's magazines on astronomy, space science, and notable indian space and astrophysics scientists are available in the library. "not only our students, but kids from other schools also come to see the library for firsthand knowledge about space science," bhowmik added.the library was set up using grants under the 'nanaji deshmukh sarbottam panchayat satat vikash puraskar,' funded by the union ministry of panchayati raj. a modern smart classroom with a digital panel, digital podium, and training chairs has also been developed, powered entirely by a 5 kw solar system.with these advancements, the kumarghat block advisory committee aims to generate a scientific temperament among tribal communities and provide hope for a brighter future. student enrollment has increased from 67 in 2024-25 to 201 in 2025-26, said teacher ringampar halam.halam added that 57 students who previously studied in private english medium schools have joined east raitwisa darlong para high school this year due to its overall development.the local east raitwisa village committee, home to over 800 tribal families from ethnic groups including tripuri, garo, reang, halam, and darlong, noted that the school achieved 100% pass in last year's class 10 board examinations."this success, along with free quality education, attracts students from private schools whose families cannot afford high fees," said village committee in-charge mrinal majumder.