IG Drones: Startup establishes 2 drone training centres of excellence in Kalahandi | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Odisha-based startup IG Drones has established drone Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) in Sagada and Bhatangpadar villages in Kalahandi district, with the aim to empower tribal youth and women through advanced skill training in drone technology.
The centres were inaugurated and adopted recently by MP Sujeet Kumar, who allocated Rs 10 lakh from his MPLAD funds.
Speaking about the initiative, Kumar said, “The CoEs are a testament to the power of technology in driving equitable development. By equipping tribal youth and women with cutting-edge skills, we are creating opportunities that were once out of reach and ensuring their participation in India’s digital economy.”
Founder and CEO of IG Drones, Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, said that it is a step to empower the tribal youth and highlight Odisha as a drone hub. “These centres aim to provide specialised training to rural students and unemployed youth, preparing them for the roles of drone pilots and technicians,” he said.
Sanghapriya said that as the drone industry in India continues to expand rapidly, the initiative can drive the demand for skilled professionals in the sector. “The centres also create pathways for employment by facilitating placements through IG Drones’ expertise and partnerships,” he said.
Officials of the startup said that by integrating Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Drone Didis’ initiative, these centres equip women to use drone technology in agriculture and other applications, fostering economic independence and breaking traditional gender barriers.
In addition to empowering women, the centres address unemployment in tribal regions by equipping youth with future-ready skills. Aligned with the National Education Policy’s focus on STEM education, the CoEs spark interest in technology among schoolchildren.
“The establishment of these centres comes at a pivotal moment for India’s drone industry. With applications in agriculture, logistics, defence, and infrastructure, the sector is not only driving innovation but also creating significant employment opportunities,” an official statement from IG Drones read.
“By bridging technological divides, fostering gender inclusivity, and addressing unemployment, this initiative sets a benchmark for public-private partnerships in advancing national priorities,” it further read.
The centres were inaugurated and adopted recently by MP Sujeet Kumar, who allocated Rs 10 lakh from his MPLAD funds.
Speaking about the initiative, Kumar said, “The CoEs are a testament to the power of technology in driving equitable development. By equipping tribal youth and women with cutting-edge skills, we are creating opportunities that were once out of reach and ensuring their participation in India’s digital economy.”
Founder and CEO of IG Drones, Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, said that it is a step to empower the tribal youth and highlight Odisha as a drone hub. “These centres aim to provide specialised training to rural students and unemployed youth, preparing them for the roles of drone pilots and technicians,” he said.
Sanghapriya said that as the drone industry in India continues to expand rapidly, the initiative can drive the demand for skilled professionals in the sector. “The centres also create pathways for employment by facilitating placements through IG Drones’ expertise and partnerships,” he said.
Officials of the startup said that by integrating Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Drone Didis’ initiative, these centres equip women to use drone technology in agriculture and other applications, fostering economic independence and breaking traditional gender barriers.
In addition to empowering women, the centres address unemployment in tribal regions by equipping youth with future-ready skills. Aligned with the National Education Policy’s focus on STEM education, the CoEs spark interest in technology among schoolchildren.
“The establishment of these centres comes at a pivotal moment for India’s drone industry. With applications in agriculture, logistics, defence, and infrastructure, the sector is not only driving innovation but also creating significant employment opportunities,” an official statement from IG Drones read.
“By bridging technological divides, fostering gender inclusivity, and addressing unemployment, this initiative sets a benchmark for public-private partnerships in advancing national priorities,” it further read.
