The Guide training workshop for tribal students project aims to educate under-privileged students on astronomy and also train them as astroguides who can work part-time. The IAU Office of Astronomy Development has selected the project for funding through its annual call proposals. The OAD has granted 5000 Euro to this initiative, which is half the required amount, helping the organizer, AstronEra, to start the training. AstronEra aims to raise the remaining 5000 Euro through crowdfunding, to purchase telescopes and supporting material for the students. After completion of the training, students will continue to receive mentorship and support from AstronEra as well as earn revenue as astroguides.
Astronera, founded by Shweta Kulkarni (FRAS), has previously won recognition for its work by the International Astronomical Union. Under Shweta’s leadership, a young and diverse team is working on this project, including Sushant Sutrave, Shruti Topkar, Aishwarya Khade, Mihir Athale, Ajay Perke, Arnab Lahiri, Shreya Joshi, Vikrant Deshmukh and Arnab Lahiri.