Shri Anurag Singh Thakur Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting inaugurates and flags off India’s first Drone Yatra at Drone Skilling and Training Conference in Chennai

launches first of the 1000 planned Drone Centre of Excellence at Garuda Aerospace’s Manufacturing unit in Chennai, largest in India ~
Spread across 777 districts in India, Drone Yatra aims to create awareness and empower farmers about the use of agriculture drones, while attracting youth to train to become drone pilots

Garuda Aerospace, one of India’s fastest-growing drone start-ups, has gained immense recognition for introducing technology in agriculture while developing a robust fleet of drones for varied applications. Further cementing its leadership, Garuda Aerospace now announcesIndia’sfirst Drone Skilling and Training Virtual E-Learning Platform at its Chennai manufacturing facility,inaugurated by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur. Stepping up the company’s commitment to empower and mobilise farmers across India with the use of agri-drones, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur simultaneously flagged off Garuda Aerospace’s drone yatra, ‘Operation 777’ that will educate and demonstrate the efficacy of drones for different agricultural uses across 777 districtsin India. Furthermore, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur also launched the first of 1000 planned Drone Centre of Excellence at Garuda Aerospace’s Manufacturing unit in Chennai, the largest in India.

With the press of a single button, Shri Anurag Singh Thakursimultaneously launched and flagged offthe Drone Skilling Training Conference, the Virtual E-Learning Platforms and the Drone Yatra. Witnessing this, the Hon’bleministerwas joined and welcomed by 2000 students who were physically present and by over 10,000 students who joined virtually from 1000 colleges from 500 districts across India. Hon’ble Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakuralso witnessed the power of drones in a demonstration set up by the Garuda Aerospace team of trained pilots following which he had a brief chat with the team of experts on its benefits.To gain hands-on experience, and understand functionality and technology, he also flew a drone after a quick crash course.

In a bid to empower youth, Hon’ble Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur distributed RPTO Certificates to 75 youth who successfully completed drone training and 10 Garuda Aerospace drones to young entrepreneurs who have decided to become drone service providers.

Garuda Aerospace’snationwide Drone Yatra is the company’s attempt to familiarise farmers about the usage and features of Garuda’s Kisan drones, along with their benefits. As recipients of the first ever Agri drone loan, Garuda Aerospace is striving to create a positive ecosystem around farming through the usage of drones in the fields, and training to allow the youth to be more actively involved in farming.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace, said, “We are privileged to have our Hon’ble Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur flagoff our drone yatra – Operation 777. Our drone yatra will help farmers understand more about the technology and give them a better perspective on growing crops. We believe drones are truly revolutionary for our agriculture ecosystem and Garuda Aerospace is continuously pushing the bar to help our farmers with effective farming techniques with the help of drones. With a dual objective of empowering farmers and creating employment for Indian youth, we are committed to manufacturing at least 1 lakh Kisan Drones by 2024. Operation 777 is our attempt to fulfil our Hon’ble PM Modiji’s Vision of making India a Global Drone Hub by 2030 and we continue to stay focussed on manufacturing and training.”

“I would also like to express my gratitude to other dignitaries Chairman Agni College of Technology-Shri RN Jayaprakash, BJP MP Central Bangalore- Shri PC Mohan,CIO Garuda Aerospace, Mrs.RithikaAgnishwar for making this event a successful one.”, he concluded.

Flagging of the drone yatra, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India said, “Flagging on the drone yatra, Shri Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India said, “I am extremely delighted to flag off Garuda Aerospace’s Drone Yatra and inaugurate the first Virtual E-Learning platform at Agni College of Technology, Chennai. I am also amazed to walk through the most advanced and well-equipped manufacturing facility. Today standing in the facility, I can now see the vision that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji had and what the youth of the country is being achieved day by day. As we advance, India will require at least 1 lakh drone pilots in 2023, becoming the drone skill hub. Kisan drone is the beginning of the new age developments in the agricultural sector and this will not only impact farmers but also create employment for various others. Garuda Aerospace has given and shall also give thousands of youths an opportunity to grow and make a change. India will require at least 1 lakh drone pilots in 2023 as Garuda Aerospace will be manufacturing more than 1 lakh drones in the next 2 years. I want to congratulate Garuda Aerospace and its team for their unwavering confidence and thank them for inviting me here.”

Garuda Aerospace’s Kisan Drones are fitted with sensors, cameras, and sprayers and help in increasing food crop productivity,reduce crop loss, reduce farmer exposure to harmful chemicals. They enable precision spray of pesticides, fertilizers, and also help with crop health monitoring, surveillance, industrial inspection, yield measurement and crop loss mitigation.

Garuda Aerospace recently commenced its $30 million Series A round at a $250 million valuation. Former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has invested and is also the company’s Shareholder and Brand Ambassador. Garuda Aerospace boasts a fleet of 400 drones and a well-trained team of over 500 pilots across 26 different cities. Garuda Aerospace has been termed India’s most valuable start-up and expects to be India’s first drone Unicorn start-up in the near future