PM urges youth to seize opportunities of new drone policy
New Delhi, NFAPost: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s aspiration of becoming a leading country in drone technology and asserted that government is taking steps to realise this dream.
In his nationwide address in the 82nd edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Modi urged the country’s youth to come forward and take advantage of the opportunities created by the new Drone policy.
“After the introduction of the new drone policy on August 25, many foreign and domestic investors have invested in drone start-ups. Many companies are setting up manufacturing units. The Army, navy and air force has given orders of more than Rs 500 crore to Indian drone companies, And this is just the beginning and we don’t have to stop here,” Modi said.
Modi also said that the new drone policy has ensured that the hassle of filling several forms is not there and also the earlier requirement to make payment has been done away with in the new regime.
The prime minister also noted that drones — which are being used in delivery of Covid-19 vaccines —will be deployed for several needs including transportation, delivery of goods at home or assistance during emergencies or monitoring law and order.
“A few days ago, nano urea was sprayed in the agricultural fields using drones at Bhavnagar area in Gujarat. Drones are playing their part in the COVID vaccination campaign too. We got to see an example of this in Manipur where vaccine was delivered to an island by drone. Telengana had also finished trials of vaccine delivery through drones. Not only this drones are being used for monitoring many big infrastructure projects,” Modi said.
He said India is one of the first countries in the world that is preparing digital land records in its villages with the help of drones. Earlier, the prime minister pointed out that the real potential of drones were not being utilised as there were several restrictions.
“The technology, which should have been seen as an opportunity, was seen as a risk. If you wanted to fly a drone for any work, then the licence and permission used to be such a hassle that people used to give up. We decided to change the mindset and adopt new trends,” he said.
Modi also urged fellow Indians to pledge against using plastic and buy local art and handicraft products to further strengthen the vocal for local initiative this festive season.
100 crore vaccination milestone
Hailing the achievement of India’s 100 crore vaccination mark, Modi said that he knew the healthcare workers would leave no stone unturned to vaccinate countrymen.
“I was well aware of the capabilities of my country, the people of my country, I knew that our healthcare workers would leave no stone unturned to vaccinate countrymen”, he said.
