From Chandrayaan to Classrooms: Inspiring Girls to Dream Big in Tech

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The image of Vidya Balan as Tara Shinde in Mission Mangal has stayed with so many of us.
Juggling her duties as a scientist and a mother, her character reflected the lives of countless
Indian women who balance family, career, and personal aspirations. The film, based on the
ISRO Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), wasn't just about rockets and orbits; it was a story of
persistence, teamwork, and how women can rise against all odds to achieve greatness. What's
even more heartwarming is that behind India's real-life space successes are remarkable women
whose stories are no less inspiring. The Indian Space Research Organisation is one of India's
greatest sources of pride.
From launching the Aryabhata satellite in 1975 to placing Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon in 2023,
ISRO has shown the world what determination and ingenuity can achieve. These are not
scientific accomplishments only but deeply personal moments for a country that dreams big
despite its challenges. And such is the case with the women scientists, engineers, and leaders
who are now visibly shaping India's quieter but still forceful space story. There is the story of
Ritu Karidhal, lovingly called the "Rocket Woman of India." As a child growing up in Lucknow,
she would gaze at the stars and wonder what lay beyond. She pursued science even with
scarce resources and societal expectations trying to pull her down, with a heart full of ambition
and mind full of questions.
Later, the Deputy Operations Director for India's Mars Orbiter Mission helped the nation reach
Mars on its first attempt. Think about it. Our country did this marvelous feat compared to some
galaxy giants by its modest budget, and Ritu was surely one of the most powerful forces behind
that. Her story is a reminder that no dream is too big and no obstacle too great in case a person
believes in himself or herself. Then there's Muthayya Vanitha who did history's first by becoming
the leader of an interplanetary mission for ISRO for its women. Chandrayaan-2 saw her take up
one of India's most complex missions ever undertaken by a Project Director. It was not entirely
successful, however, with the challenges of entering into the moon's orbit, but still very
monumental.
The orbiter continues to send valuable data, and the mission paved way to Chandrayaan-3's
resounding success. Vanitha’s calm leadership and expertise showed the world that Indian
women are not just participants in science; they are leaders, trailblazers, and problem-solvers.
The contribution is not just about rockets and satellites, women here are breaking the most
age-old stereotypes about what women can and cannot do. In a country like India, where girls
have to overcome immense societal pressures to think of family before their ambition, stories
like Ritu's and Vanitha's resonate a lot. They tell every young girl that she can reach for the
stars, literally. ISRO, too, has embraced this spirit of inclusion. The organization can view a
steady increase in women serving under it, from engineers to project heads. But what is truly
beautiful is how these women's stories inspire the next generation.
The efforts made to train students under "Space Tutor" and competitions in schools are
encouraging young girls to explore space science.
Through these efforts, ISRO is not just building satellites; it is building confidence and curiosity
in the minds of India's daughters. Today, classrooms all over the country are witnessing a quiet
yet powerful shift. More girls are studying science, coding, participating in robotics competitions,
and dreaming of careers in technology and innovation. Initiatives like "Girls Who Code" and
mentorship programs for women in STEM plant the seeds of change. Let's not forget, however,
that such efforts need to be supported by families and communities. If parents motivate their
daughters to become engineers or pursue their passion in astronomy, then the ripples will
spread throughout generations and alter everything.
So, the journey is far from over. For every Ritu and Vanitha, there are thousands of girls who still
do not have access to education or opportunities or encouragement to pursue their passions.
This is where we all come in. Teachers, parents, and even peers can make a difference by
sharing stories like these and creating an environment that's safe for girls and yet nudges them
to pursue their passions. India's space journey has never been about achievements alone. It's
more an emotional story of resilience, dreams, and the belief to deliver what seems impossible.
When Chandrayaan-3 touched lunar soil, it wasn't just a victory for science; it was a victory for
hope. Somewhere in a small classroom or a quiet corner of a home, a girl looked up at the
moon that night and thought, "One day, I’ll do something like that." And because of the women
who paved the way, she knows she can. As we celebrate ISRO's milestones, let us also
celebrate the women behind them. They are not just scientists; they are tokens of what happens
when ambition meets opportunity. Their story reminds us that when women rise, they take
everyone along with them. And as India continues its journey to the stars, it takes along with it
the dreams of millions of girls who now know that the universe is theirs to conquer.

- Richa (Content Associate)

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