Union Minister Savitri, Kesan and the ShakthiSAT team girls
Rama Krishna Sangem
“It was an unforgettable moment for me and all my team. We received full appreciation from President of India Droupadi Murmu. The First Citizen of our country has lauded the dedication and hard work of us all in launching ShakthiSAT, ” said Dr Srimathy Kesan, fondeur CEO of SpaceKidz India and the brain behind ShakhtiSAT, all girls satellite in India. Kesan spoke to Excel India from Chennai on October 7, Tuesday. Srimathy Kesan is also the Mission Director of ShakthiSAT
Team Mission ShakthiSAT, a groundbreaking all-girls satellite initiative spearheaded by Space Kidz India (SKI), was granted the distinguished privilege of calling upon Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 1.. The team, which included talented young girls from government schools of Madhya Pradesh, presented the significant progress of the world’s first satellite mission to be entirely conceptualized, designed, and executed by young women.
This historic meeting underscored the powerful convergence of youthful aspiration with India’s visionary leadership in space and education, said Kesan.
Mission ShakthiSAT stands as an unprecedented global model for STEM empowerment, uniting 12,000 students from 108 nations in the collaborative effort to design, develop, and deploy a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. An initiative by SKI Star Foundation tba Space Kidz India, the initiative places young women at the forefront of scientific innovation and international cooperation.
108 nations involved in ShaktiSAT
The core objective is to bring together 108 nations to co-develop and integrate the satellite. “Mission ShakthiSAT is more than a technological endeavour; it is a powerful symbol of global unity, scientific advancement, and the extraordinary potential of young talent when empowered through opportunity,”
For India, the mission carries particular resonance, as the participating students from Madhya Pradesh many of whom are first-generation learners from rural and government schools truly embody the nation’s vision of inclusive growth. The girls are transforming from eager learners into confident innovators, mastering orbital mechanics, satellite subsystems, and coding.
Their remarkable journey reflects India’s aspirations for a future driven by education, empowerment, and scientific progress. We wish to place on record our sincere gratitude to Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur for her continuous support and unwavering commitment to the mission since its inception last year.
Murmu interacted with the girls
During the interaction, the young students conveyed to the President how Mission ShakthiSAT has instilled in them confidence, resilience, and a sense of global belonging. The President Murmu graciously praised their efforts, affirming, “Mission ShakthiSAT is a remarkable milestone in India’s pursuit of inclusive education and innovation.
The courage and determination of these young girls are an inspiration not only to India but to the entire world, more so while the mission is led by a woman, Dr. Kesan.The meeting with Droupadi Murmu was not just an ordinary interaction or a photograph, it was a moment that touched hearts. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming the First Citizen of India stands as a beacon of hope and strength.
She is a true inspiration to every girl, showing through her life that no dream is too high and no goal is unreachable. For the young girls of Mission ShakthiSAT, being in her presence was a reminder that if they aspire and believe in themselves, they too can rise, they too can reach the Moon.
By uniting students from 108 nations, Mission ShakthiSAT significantly advances India’s vision of global collaboration and space diplomacy, reaffirming the timeless Indian principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “the world is one family.” 12 ‘Devis’ (women ambassadors) from different Countries Australia, Bolivia, Nepal, Paraguay, Colombia, etc were present at the IAC International Astronautical Congress, Sydney. Interesting conversations about the mission was rolled further strengthening its global partnerships.
The mission garnered huge attention and support from various Space agencies, Australian space agency, apart from Australia Science and tech Ministry, Spanish, Argentinian, Chile, UAE etc.
(We will carry separate story on ShaktiSAT later)