A 16-year-old girl from South Dinajpur has been selected for a training programme conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to cultivate young talents as future space scientists.

Arpita Saha, a Class IX student at Patiram Vivekananda Girls’ High School in Patiram, left for Sriharikota on Thursday to join the programme.

Sources said she had appeared in the national-level entrance test conducted under YUVIKA (YUva VIgyani KAryakram) or the young scientist programme on March 1 and had been selected for the training.

“I will be at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota of Andhra Pradesh for 25 days. During my stay, I would be provided with training for 14 days in space science, astronomy and allied subjects. I want to pursue space science in future and this programme will definitely help me,” said the girl.

In the remaining days, she will have the chance to visit the centre and study
different subjects related to space science.

Dipankar, her father, is a trader while her mother Jharna is a homemaker.

“It is great that my daughter has got the opportunity to take training in Isro at this age. We live in a remote village and from here, she was chosen for the training,” said the father.

Arpita’s selection has also drawn appreciation from her teachers. Labani Sarkar, the teacher-in-charge of her school, said earlier, Upasan Mondal, another student of the institution, had got a similar chance.

“Now, Arpita has made it. She is a good student and we believe she has the potential to study space science in due course,” said Sarkar.

After Arpita’s return, the school will make arrangements for her to share her experience with other students, the teacher said.