The United States embassy has finally granted visa on Wednesday to Ratul Khan, a topper in Assam High Madrassa Examination 2012, so that he can visit NASA under a 14-day educational and exposure trip sponsored by Assam government for seven toppers in High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination, 2012 and Assam High Madrassa Examination, 2012.
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.
With his arrival visa, Ratul will now be able to take the same flight to NASA along with the six other students from New Delhi 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.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi have handed over the flight tickets to the students at a function in Guwahati on Tuesday.
The brilliant students are being sponsored by the Assam government to visit NASA under a newly-launched scheme called 'Deba Kumar Bora memorial NASA Trip'.
The chief minister said it was aimed at triggering healthy competition among students to excel.
