Meet the ISRO technician who was once a golgappa seller; discover how his late-night studies made his dream a reality

In the rural areas of Maharashtra, away from metro limelight and scholarly circles, an unsung saga of determination and turn-around unfolded silently.

Ramdas Hemraj Marbade

, a young man from Gondia district, is the hero who used to sell golgappas (pani puri) for his livelihood and now works at India's premier space research organisation, ISRO. His own journey, one of struggle and resistance and unyielding drive, is a testament to what can happen when dreams do not die, no matter how improbable they might be.In a world ruled by influencers and virality, Ramdas Hemraj Marbade is a true hero. His journey to success was not glamorous or fast, but it was certainly real. He is a living example that dreams coupled with commitment can overcome all obstacles.

ISRO technician Ramdas Marbade’s journey from golgappa seller to space tech expert

Ramdas comes from the tiny village of Khairbodi, falling under Tiroda tehsil of Gondia district, Maharashtra. The means of his family were modest: his father served as a peon in a government school until his retirement, and his mother is a homemaker. Financial difficulties were ever-present companions, but never became an obstacle to his aspirations — thanks mostly to the moral support and encouragement he got at home.

With college education financially out of reach, Ramdas had to choose between abandoning his dreams or working twice as hard to achieve them. He chose the latter. To supplement his family, Ramdas began selling golgappas, peddling his cart from village to village. Most people viewed him as any other street vendor, but not many realized that after completing his day's sales, he would get immersed in textbooks at night, reading under faint lights with burning resolve.He finished his school at Ganesh High School in Gumadhavada and then his 12th standard in C.G. Patel College. Acknowledging the importance of a college degree, he continued his Bachelor of Arts through correspondence courses at YCM College, Nashik. When others depended on classrooms and tuition centers, Ramdas counted on self-motivation, discipline, and an intense passion to construct a better future.

Ramdas gains technical skills that pave his way to ISRO

Realizing that academic qualifications alone would not land him a job in technical areas, Ramdas opted for vocational training. He went to the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Tirora, where he studied a Pump Operator-cum-Mechanic course. This decision turned out to be crucial to his future.At ITI, he received hands-on training in:

These skills would later become the very building blocks that took him to ISRO.

Ramdas becomes a vital part of ISRO’s operations after years of hard work

In 2023, ISRO had its application window open for apprentice trainee positions. Ramdas spotted his opportunity and applied. In spite of tough competition, he passed the written examination held in Nagpur in 2024. He then proceeded to excel at the practical skill test held in Sriharikota in August 2024. Then, the breakthrough moment arrived — in May 2025, Ramdas received his official appointment letter from ISRO. What had once been an almost unimaginable aspiration had now become reality.Ramdas is now a Pump Operator-cum-Mechanic at ISRO's Space Centre in Sriharikota. His work may not be rocket design or programming satellites, but it is no less important. He operates and maintains technical machinery that aids India's most cutting-edge space missions. Balancing plates and hot snacks are all a thing of the past. Ramdas now has to contend with mechanical systems critical to national research and innovation. The roads he used to take selling golgappas now feel galaxies away from the labs and machines he manages.Also Read | ISRO chief announces 2025 as ‘Gaganyaan Year’ with first mission featuring Vyommitra robot to launch in December