π Tribal youth turns darkness into tourism gold
A 22-year-old physics student named Vipul Khiradi is working to make his tribal village, Udmal, a Dark Sky Community. He initiated this project after attending a stargazing program in 2019 in Nashik. The village, located in Surgana taluka, is aiming for International Dark Sky Places recognition, with Rs 42 lakh sanctioned by the Nashik district administration. This initiative seeks to use preserved darkness for education and astro-tourism opportunities for locals. Vipul's efforts show that rural youth can achieve big dreams without leaving their home.