Sridhar Kamble from Tiravade village in Kolhapur was selected on the basis of feedback sent by him on the NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab's scientists findings on theory of Galaxy evolution.

Kamble said his godfather, an 83-year-old former NASA scientist, R V Bhosle gave necessary guidance in writing his feedback. Currently, Bhosle is honorary professor at Shivaji University in Kolhapur.

"My godfather realised my inner potential...This will help me fulfil my ambitions to study galaxy evolution, high energy physics, astrophysics and astronomy," Kamble said.

"I have received $10,000 from NASA. I will also get assistance from them to study in Colarado university from the third year in my four-year undergraduation," he added.

Kamble, who has given his HSC exams this year, said he is lucky he could skip the usual entrance exams like SAT because NASA recommended him. But he will have to manage travel expenses and fee for the first two years on his own. In 2004, Kamble received the young scientist award from Bhabha Atomic Research centre.

His father, a small-landholding farmer, earns just enough to sustain their livelihood.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has assured assistance to Kamble.