CM Yogi empowers underprivileged kids with AI, drones; ISRO hails talent

Lucknow : Once cut off from the classroom, the children of daily wage earners and those orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic are now presenting their technological innovations before top Indian space scientists — thanks to the transformative initiative of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This remarkable change is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh’s Atal Residential Schools, which are fast becoming hubs of innovation, empowerment, and self-confidence for the state’s most marginalized children.

Currently operational in 17 divisions across the state, these schools have been specially established for children of registered labourers and those rendered destitute during the pandemic. With over 10,947 students enrolled, these institutions not only ensure equal representation of boys and girls (50:50 ratio) — setting an example in gender empowerment — but also provide a platform for advanced learning in artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, and space science.

More than just conventional education centers, the Atal Residential Schools have begun nurturing a new generation of innovators. The most striking evidence of this came during the SpaceTech Expo 2025, held on January 25 at the Atal Residential School in Lucknow. Students from every division of the state participated, showcasing AI-driven projects, drone applications, and space-related models that stunned the audience with their creativity and technical finesse.

In a strong endorsement of this talent, the Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO personally attended the expo, interacted with the children, and honoured them for their ingenuity. He also praised the institutional setup and educational environment of the school. Earlier, several meritorious students were also given the opportunity to visit ISRO’s SAC campus — further boosting their curiosity, confidence, and aspirations.

Thanks to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s focused efforts, Atal Residential Schools have become more than just centers of learning — they are nurturing grounds for talent now gaining national recognition. The initiative showcases how inclusive, innovation-driven education can transform lives and inspire future scientists, even from the most modest backgrounds.

During the inauguration of the Atal Residential School in Bareilly this past March, CM Yogi Adityanath called these schools a “model of education.” He said that these are integrated campuses where students not only get quality education but also equal access to facilities like accommodation, meals, sports, libraries, and skill development. He noted that while the workers’ cess was previously misused, it is now, under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, being utilized to secure a better future for their children.

Children from labor families, who were once considered outside the mainstream, are now creating a new identity in the world of technology. Their confidence, thoughts, and skills show that with proper guidance and resources, they can become strong contributors to nation-building. In Uttar Pradesh, Atal Residential Schools are no longer just schools — they have become talent hubs where every child dreams of becoming a scientist, engineer, or serving the nation, and is working to achieve those dreams.

Children selected through entrance exams receive high-quality education following the CBSE curriculum. Regular training and orientation programs are conducted for teachers to make learning easier and more effective based on students’ interests and needs.

The aim of the double-engine government is not limited to honoring laborers — the success of these schemes clearly shows the government’s commitment to their well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many children lost their parents, the Yogi government took a sensitive and innovative step. Fully-equipped Atal Residential Schools were started in every division of the state to provide proper education and care for the children of registered laborers and those orphaned during the pandemic. The inauguration of the Atal Residential School in Moradabad is also planned soon.