When space technology meets social purpose, it can inspire a new generation to look up — quite literally. Pranesh Debnath, Chief Operating Officer of Muskan Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., represents that bridge between science and service. His remarkable efforts in democratizing access to space education have earned him the Atal Bharat Gaurav Sammaan 2025, an honour bestowed by the Awards Trust of India to individuals who elevate the nation through innovation and community impact.
From Corporate Success to Social Mission
Hailing from Kokrajhar, Assam, in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Pranesh Debnath’s story is one of purpose over comfort. After a successful corporate career as an Executive Territory Manager at Reliance Capital, he made a bold decision in 2017 to leave his job and dedicate himself to education, youth empowerment, and space awareness. What followed was an inspiring journey of taking India’s most advanced space technologies to the most remote schools in the country.
Pranesh Debnath: Leading Space Education Through Muskan Aerospace
As the COO of Muskan Aerospace, Debnath has been working closely with ISRO’s Space Tutor Program, a flagship initiative that connects Indian students with space science learning opportunities. Since 2023, his team has established over 50 ISRO-affiliated Space Labs across India — most of them in government and tribal schools located in the remotest parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam.
Each space lab is designed to give students hands-on exposure to technologies that are shaping the future — including 3D printing, drone building, virtual reality (VR), telescope observation, and rocketry. These labs are not confined to urban or elite institutions but are built where resources are scarce and opportunities rare.
One of their landmark projects is in Mechuka, a small town near the India-China border, where the Education Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pasang D. Sona, inaugurated an ISRO Space Lab on August 14, 2024. Another lab in Yazili was dedicated to Dr. Neelesh Desai, Director of ISRO’s Space Application Center, who personally traveled from Ahmedabad to this remote region to encourage local students.
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Empowering Rural and Tribal Youth
Debnath’s initiative began in his home region of Bodoland, where he helped install 12 ISRO Space Labs across government schools under the BTR Council. These labs offer experiential learning to students from Class 3 to Class 12, teaching them not just theory but the joy of discovery.
His mission expanded further when Science City Andhra Pradesh and Samagra Shiksha Andhra Pradesh invited Muskan Aerospace to conduct a month-long Space Skill Camp, covering 20 districts and reaching hundreds of rural students.
Global Collaborations and Space Partnerships
Beyond ISRO, Pranesh Debnath has successfully collaborated with NASA and Russian Space Agencies, bringing astronauts and engineers to India to inspire students. In October 2024, he hosted Russian cosmonaut , who has spent over 200 hours in the International Space Station, for an interactive program at Nehru Planetarium and the Russian House in Delhi.
Following that, in November 2024, he coordinated a series of space education events featuring NASA engineer Gabe Gabrielle, engaging students from across India, especially Andhra Pradesh. These events, titled “Global Learning Opportunities,” included rocketry workshops, space exploration lectures, and hands-on model building sessions, giving Indian students firsthand exposure to international space science.
Beyond Space: A Commitment to Social Change
While his contributions to space education are immense, Pranesh Debnath’s heart lies equally in grassroots social development. He founded “The Youth and the Truth” initiative, a platform that invites renowned speakers and scientists to schools and colleges across Northeast India to motivate young minds.
As a member of the Lions Club in Kokrajhar — where he served as the Founder Secretary and now as Vice President — Debnath continues to champion causes like literacy, health, and community upliftment.
He has also adopted a government school located in a tea estate, where over 650 students receive not only academic support but exposure to science and innovation. Through personal financial contributions and mentorship programs involving ISRO scientists and professors, he ensures that even the most disadvantaged children dream beyond boundaries.
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Educator, Mentor, and Change-Maker
Apart from his role at Muskan Aerospace, Debnath serves as a mentor at the Sprout-Up Incubation Council of Bineswar Brahma Engineering College, Kokrajhar, nurturing young innovators and entrepreneurs. He is also a paralegal volunteer appointed by the District Judicial Magistrate to assist in spreading legal awareness among underprivileged communities.
Additionally, he works as an independent member of the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), representing the Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Goalpara districts — a role that underscores his multifaceted contribution to society.
Collaborations with Global Prodigy Professor Subodh Bari
Pranesh Debnath also plays a key role as the India Coordinator for Professor Subodh Naidu Bari, the world’s youngest professor from New York University. He has organized Prof. Bari’s lectures across top Indian institutions including IIT Kharagpur, ISI Kolkata, IIT Madras, and various universities and schools, helping inspire the next generation of scientists.
A Legacy Written in the Stars
Through his work, Pranesh Debnath proves that the sky is not the limit — it’s the beginning. His mission to make space education accessible, affordable, and aspirational is not only shaping future scientists but also redefining how rural India engages with technology.
His recognition with the Atal Bharat Gaurav Sammaan 2025 is a fitting tribute to his vision — one that unites space innovation with human transformation. By taking rocket science to remote schools, inspiring tribal students to build drones, and connecting India with NASA and Russian astronauts, Pranesh Debnath is truly taking the spirit of “Viksit Bharat” to new heights — and beyond the stars.
