In a pioneering initiative under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), MP Sujeet Kumar has established India’s first-ever Drone Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in partnership with IG Drones in the Gram Panchayats of Sagada and Bhatangpadar in Odisha’s Kalahandi district. This groundbreaking step aims to empower tribal youth and women through advanced skill development in drone technology, aligning with the government’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. MP Kumar allocated ₹10 lakhs from his MPLADS fund to implement this project, which also supports the Prime Minister’s Drone Policy, geared towards a significant expansion of drone operations in India.
The Drone Centres of Excellence will offer specialized training to rural students and unemployed youth, preparing them for careers as drone pilots and technicians. Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder & CEO of IG Drones, emphasized the initiative’s potential in transforming Odisha into a drone hub nationally while addressing the demand for skilled professionals in the fast-growing drone industry. Additionally, the centers will focus on women’s empowerment by integrating the “Drone Didis” initiative, which equips women to utilize drone technology in agriculture and other sectors, fostering economic independence and breaking traditional gender barriers, thereby positioning them as vital participants in India’s technological progress.
