Selling golgappas by day, studying by night: How a Maharashtra man chased his ISRO dream with sheer grit and perseverance
In a quiet village tucked away in Maharashtra's
Gondia district
, a young man once roamed the dusty lanes pushing a 'golgappa' cart from village to village. While others saw a roadside snack vendor,
Ramdas Hemraj Marbade
carried a dream far bigger than the sky above him — to one day work at India's most prestigious
space agency
,
ISRO
.
According to a report from India TV, by day, Ramdas sold golgappas to earn a living and support his family. By night, under dim lights and sheer determination, he immersed himself in textbooks, driven by an ambition that refused to be crushed by his circumstances. Today, at 25, he is living that dream — working as a
Pump Operator-cum-Mechanic
at ISRO's Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Rooted in Struggles, Rising Through Grit
Ramdas hails from Khairbodi village in Tiroda tehsil. His father, a retired peon from a government school, and his mother, a homemaker, had little to offer in material wealth — but gave him unwavering support and the spirit to persevere.
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Undo
Formal college education wasn't a luxury he could afford. After completing school at Ganesh High School in Gumadhavada and his 12th at C.G. Patel College, Ramdas pursued his B.A. privately through YCM College in Nashik. The finances were tight, but giving up wasn't in his vocabulary.
A Path Less Trodden: Skills Over Syllabus
Realising the power of
vocational skills
in opening doors, Ramdas enrolled in a Pump Operator-cum-Mechanic course at the
Industrial Training Institute
(ITI) in Tirora. There, he picked up vital technical know-how — from operating centrifugal and reciprocating pumps to water treatment techniques and oil equipment maintenance.
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This hands-on expertise became his ticket to the stars. In 2023, when ISRO invited applications for
apprentice trainees
, Ramdas applied without hesitation. He cleared the written exam in Nagpur in 2024 and aced the skill test in Sriharikota in August, 2024.
In May, 2025, a letter that once seemed like a distant dream became reality; Ramdas officially joined ISRO.
— IndianTechGuide (@IndianTechGuide)
From Local Streets to Launchpads
Now employed at ISRO, Ramdas contributes to intricate research tasks as part of India's space endeavours. His daily routine no longer involves spicy street treats but the precision and focus required in the world of advanced technology and national space missions.
The boy who once balanced steel plates on his golgappa cart now handles the complexities of pump mechanics vital to ISRO's functioning. His tale echoes far beyond his hometown — it stands as a soaring testament to ambition meeting action.
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An Inspiration Rising from the Dust
Ramdas's incredible transformation has become a source of immense pride in Gondia district. His story is not just about a job at ISRO — it is about hope, hard work, and never letting go of one's dreams, no matter how distant they may seem.
In a world that often looks for heroes in headlines, this young man from Maharashtra reminds us that true inspiration sometimes rolls quietly down the street, with a golgappa cart and stars in its eyes.
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First Post
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What is Shubhanshu Shukla carrying to space? Aam ras, halwa and more
As Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla readies to pilot the Axiom-4 Mission on June 10, he will carry with him a range of Indian delicacies prepared by Isro that will remind him of home, like aam ras, moong halwa and more. The 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot will head to the International Space Station along with three others, marking the first Indian astronaut to return to space after 41 years read more Since India is sending an astronaut to the ISS for the very first time, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is adding a personal touch by sending some Indian dishes to make Shubhanshu Shukla feel a little more at home. They say food can be a home away from home, and for Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, a few Indian delicacies will be just that — his little piece of comfort as he prepares to head into space. As part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 at 5:52 pm IST, along with three other astronauts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Typically, the American space agency follows a standardised food menu for all its space missions, said DK Singh, director of Isro's Human Spaceflight Centre (Hsfc). But since India is sending an astronaut to the ISS for the very first time, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is adding a personal touch by sending some Indian dishes to make Shukla feel a little more at home. Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, will spend 14 days in orbit, making history as the second Indian to travel to space since Rakesh Sharma's iconic 1984 flight. So what will be different this time? What is Shukla carrying to space? Here's a closer look. Indian space food for astronauts Ahead of his mission, Shukla will carry specially prepared Indian delicacies with him, a first for any Indian travelling to the ISS. His menu includes aam ras, moong dal halwa, gajar halwa and a selection of rice-based options. His sister, Suchi Shukla, a science teacher in Lucknow, told Hindustan Times that initially, Shukla wasn't allowed to carry Indian food on the flight as the cuisine is typically rich in spices, something space menus aren't used to. 'Since Indian food is high on spices, he wasn't getting the permission to carry them. But finally, they did allow a few varieties. He is a fitness-freak and highly into yoga, so I am sure he will balance it,' she said. Now that he has the go-ahead, Shukla is excited to share these flavours with his fellow astronauts, Suchi said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For international missions, Nasa's Space Food Systems Laboratory produces freeze-dried food and packages commercially available beverage powders, cookies, candies, and other dried goods that the astronauts select for their menus. However, a taste of home for Indian astronauts was missing. But now, scientists from Isro and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (Drdo) have developed space-friendly Indian food after years of research. Apart from Shukla's menu, the Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (Dfrl) has created ready-to-eat dishes like idli, upma, biryani, pulao, dal, vegetable curry, roti and halwa, all tailored for zero gravity. The meals are packed in special containers and will need to be rehydrated with water before consumption, Singh told The Print. Officials say the same menu will likely be part of the Gaganyaan crewed mission , India's first human spaceflight, expected to take off by 2027. Shukla will be on that mission too. 'We have developed a few options. Even if all of it isn't used for the Gaganyaan mission, it will come in handy for future human spaceflights,' Singh said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A few photographs, a swan soft toy Along with food and science experiments, Shukla is also carrying a few mementoes from home. While he isn't allowed to reveal exactly what personal items he's bringing, his sister feels her brother is 'carrying our photos'. She adds, 'He cannot disclose due to protocol. Once you take anything to space, it becomes a certified object that has travelled to space. So, he will bring those back and it will be memorabilia for us. We will only get to know what those things are once he's back.' Among the items confirmed is a small swan soft toy, which will act as the zero-gravity indicator for the Axiom-4 crew. Named 'Joy', the swan holds special meaning for all four astronauts, including Shukla. Floating alongside the Axiom 4 mission crew in the SpaceX Dragon capsule will be a small swan soft toy named 'Joy'. It is not only the zero gravity indicator but also 'In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of goddess Saraswati, symbolising wisdom, learning and purity,' he explained during a pre-flight virtual press conference. 'Swan is believed to have the rare ability to separate milk from water, representing purity, wisdom and grace.' 'Carrying this symbol reminds me of the delicate balance between knowledge and pressure, and it keeps me grounded in the values I hold dear. I feel inspired, fully prepared and confident as I embark on this journey,' Shukla added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shukla will be one of four astronauts taking part in the Axiom-4 mission. X/@NASASpaceOps Prayers and excitement back home In Shukla's hometown of Lucknow, the countdown to launch is filled with prayers, pride, and hope. The 39-year-old's family is watching closely, their hearts full as he prepares to make history. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government employee, said the entire family is backing him with confidence and positivity. 'The entire family is praying for him, and we are all very confident and positive. We are not scared now. We are happy that his name will go in history books,' he said. #WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla says, "We are very proud of him, not just the family, but the whole country. The country's space mission is being sent after 40 years... It feels good that people are talking about my… — ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2025 His mother, Astha Shukla, told Hindustan Times, 'Woh khud bahut excited hai ki woh Bharat ke liye kuch naya karne jaa raha hai. Bas jaldi se mission khatam kar ke wapas aa jaaye.' (He is very excited as he is getting to do something new for India. Hope the mission ends successfully and he comes back soon.) Subhanshu Shukla's Home in Lucknow has become an inspirational spot for students, they are coming in numbers for selfies and wishes ♥️ Subhanshu is part of the 4 member team going to space in Axiom Mission 4, a collaboration b/w NASA & SpaceX. — Lucknow Development Index (@lucknow_updates) June 7, 2025 The astronaut is currently under quarantine before the mission. He joins the family for a video group call every day, along with his wife, Dr Kamna Shubha Shukla, and five-year-old son, who are with him in Florida, Suchi said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The mission, operated by Texas-based Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and Nasa, will transport four astronauts, Mission Commander Peggy Whitson (US), Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) to the International Space Station (ISS) for a two-week stay. With input from agencies
