After visa denial, finally US allows Assam boy to visit NASA

Guwahati, Nov 22: It was a long wait for Ratul Khan, a topper in

High Madrassa Examination 2012, to go and visit The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (

) on an educational tour. Finally, United States embassy has granted visa to Ratul on Wednesday, Nov 21, so that he along with six other toppers from the state can visit NASA.

The 14-day educational and exposure trip has been sponsored by Assam government for seven toppers in High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination, 2012 and Assam High Madrassa Examination, 2012. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi have handed over the flight tickets to the students at a function in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Now, since visa has been granted, Ratul will be able to take the same flight to NASA along with the six other students from New on Thursday night.

The seven students -- Gyandeep Sarmah, Bhaswati Deka, Suty Khound, Shahinoor Rahman, Parijat Priyadarshini, Priyanka Bezbaruah and Ratul Khan -- are toppers in High School Leaving Certificate and Assam High Madrassa Examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education Assam this year.

TIll Tuesday Ratul's visa was not granted though visa for other six toppers were made available. It created sharp reactions from students and youth organisations in Assam including All Assam Students' Union and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad.

The AASU had in fact set 24-hour deadline for the state government to ensure grant of visa to Ratul.

OneIndia News