India turned a new leaf in its technological prowess on Saturday, February 19, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching 100 Kisan Drones in different parts of India, to spray pesticides and other farm materials, thus, lending a helping hand to the hard-working farmers of the country. PM Modi flagged off the drones in a virtual address while expressing confidence that India's enhanced capability in this direction would also add to India's leadership role in the new world order. At the launch event, the PM promised full government backing to the drone technology start-ups in the country. The drones are manufactured by Garuda Aerospace, a Chennai-based company that offers drone-as-a-service (DAAS). Called "Kisan Drones", these high-capacity drones are going to boost farmer incomes by transporting produce to the markets in the shortest possible time. Calling this occasion a milestone for the Indian drone sector, PM Modi said, "I have been told that Garuda Aerospace has planned 1 lakh ‘Made in India' drones in the next two years. This will give employment and opportunities to hundreds of youth." He added, "Having liberalised the Drones Rules in 2021, the government has consistently been encouraging Aatmanirbhar Bharat with major policy decisions on Drone Shakthi and banning the import of foreign Drones." The Drones Rules 2021 was recently amended by the GOI, as per which, the date of registration for voluntary disclosure of unmanned aircrafts in India has been extended till March 1, 2022. Some of the major policy changes initiated by the Centre in the recent weeks have sought to promote the indigenous drone industry. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has predicted an expected investment of INR 5,000cr in the coming 3 years into the drones and drone components manufacturing industry. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech this year, had already announced the Centre's intent to promote use of drone technology and Artificial Intelligence in diverse sectors like agriculture, education, banking, transport, and infrastructure. Applauding the role of companies like Garuda Aerospace, PM Modi said on Saturday, "We have reposed our faith in the young talent and brought in new suitable policies." Garuda Aerospace is a fast-growing market leader in the Drone manufacturing sector. Its mandate is to increase the drone efficiency while reducing the cost of production across the country. Besides surveillance, Garuda Aerospace manufactures drones that can conduct thermal imaging, ultrasonic thickness testing, inventory managements, and a variety of industrial upgrades. Photo-Social Media