Latest news with #DroneDidi
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
PM Modi discusses defence, agriculture, and trade with Argentina President
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Argentine President Javier Milei discussed enhancing collaboration in several key areas, including defence, agriculture, and trade. Addressing a press briefing after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders, MEA's Secretary (East) P Kumaran said, 'Both leaders also expressed interest in enhancing collaboration in the defence sector, where they felt that they can leverage their respective experiences and capabilities to increase cooperation and contribute to mutual strategic interests.' PM Modi and Milei also acknowledge the importance of agriculture, directing their teams to convene the Joint Working Group to spot opportunities for cooperation, the MEA Secretary (East) informed. 'Both leaders also acknowledge the importance of the agriculture sector and its significant contribution to the economies on both sides... To take this forward, they directed their teams to convene the Joint Working Group on Agriculture at the earliest opportunity,' he said. Kumaran further informed that PM Modi briefed Milei about India's Drone Didi initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural productivity. He added that the PM also informed Milei about India's innovative use of drones for emergency transport of medicines to remote areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'The Prime Minister also briefed President Milei on India's Drone Didi initiative and how it is being used to improve agricultural productivity by involving rural women in the use of drones to administer fertilisers and for land surveys. The Prime Minister also mentioned how drones had been used in India for emergency transport of medicines to remote areas during COVID, and also now how companies use drones to transport vegetables and fish to remote areas,' he added. 'The Prime Minister briefed the President on how the Indian satellite system, Navic, is used to help fishermen identify schools of fish... The PM also discussed how he utilises drones to monitor progress in projects of special interest to him, as part of his monthly project reviews. That was something that interested President,' he said. PM Modi also sought Argentina's support to expand India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. The preferential trade agreement (PTA) is aimed at expanding economic ties between India and the MERCOSUR bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 'The Prime Minister requested Argentina's support in expanding the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, noting that such an expansion can bring mutual benefits to both sides and open up new opportunities,' Kumaran said. PM Modi arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday on a two-day trip in the third leg of his five-nation tour. The PM is now headed to Brazil for the fourth leg of his five-nation tour, where he will also attend the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. During the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit, Prime Minister Modi will exchange views on key global issues, including peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and economic and financial matters. According to the official statement, the Prime Minister is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. For the State Visit to Brazil, the Prime Minister will travel to Brasilia where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Lula on the broadening of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people to people linkages. (ANI)
Hans India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
In His Fifth Year, Chief Minister Dhami to Gift a Comprehensive Women's Policy
Under Pushkar Government's Four-Year Tenure, Women Empowered at Every Level — From Government Jobs to Cooperative Societies, Women Got Reservation Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in the fifth year of his tenure, is set to gift the women of Uttarakhand a comprehensive women's policy. Uttarakhand's first women-centric policy is likely to be tabled in the cabinet soon. Through this, the government will lay out a structured roadmap for the economic and social empowerment of women. Over the past four years, Chief Minister Dhami has already taken major steps—granting 30% reservation for women in government jobs and, for the first time, implementing women's reservation in cooperative societies—aiming to strengthen women's leadership at all levels. To economically empower women, innovative schemes like Mahila Saarthi Yojana, Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana, and Lakhpati Didi have also been successfully implemented on the ground. 01 – Reservation in Government Jobs The Pushkar Singh Dhami government has reinstated 30% horizontal reservation for women of Uttarakhand in government jobs. This benefit is extended to all women who have domicile status in Uttarakhand. Since this policy came into effect, the number of women employees in government offices has increased. After receiving the Governor's approval, the women's reservation officially came into force from 10th January 2023. 02 – Reservation in Cooperative Societies The Dhami government has also implemented 33% reservation for women in cooperative societies. While local bodies and panchayats in Uttarakhand already had women's reservation, this move ensures women's leadership now emerges even in cooperatives. The implementation of this policy at the grassroots level is being seen as a potential game-changer. 03 – Opportunities for Self-Employment On March 8, 2025 (International Women's Day), the government launched the Mahila Saarthi Yojana as a pilot project in Dehradun. Under this scheme, women are now earning livelihoods by driving auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers to ferry passengers. Additionally, schemes like Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana, Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana, and Drone Didi are creating multiple self-employment opportunities for women across the state. 'Women are the backbone of Uttarakhand's society. Our government believes that without empowering women, the progress of society is impossible. That's why we've launched several women-centric schemes that will prove to be game-changers in the future. Continuing this commitment, we are soon bringing a comprehensive Women's Policy.' — Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
In his fifth year, Chief Minister Dhami to gift a comprehensive women's policy
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in the fifth year of his tenure, is set to gift the women of Uttarakhand a comprehensive women's policy. Uttarakhand's first women-centric policy is likely to be tabled in the cabinet soon. Through this, the government will lay out a structured roadmap for the economic and social empowerment of women. Over the past four years, Chief Minister Dhami has already taken major steps—granting 30% reservation for women in government jobs and, for the first time, implementing women's reservation in cooperative societies—aiming to strengthen women's leadership at all levels. To economically empower women, innovative schemes like Mahila Saarthi Yojana, Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana, and Lakhpati Didi have also been successfully implemented on the ground. 01 – Reservation in Government Jobs The Pushkar Singh Dhami government has reinstated 30% horizontal reservation for women of Uttarakhand in government jobs. This benefit is extended to all women who have domicile status in Uttarakhand. Since this policy came into effect, the number of women employees in government offices has increased. After receiving the Governor's approval, the women's reservation officially came into force from 10th January 2023. 02 – Reservation in Cooperative Societies The Dhami government has also implemented 33% reservation for women in cooperative societies. While local bodies and panchayats in Uttarakhand already had women's reservation, this move ensures women's leadership now emerges even in cooperatives. The implementation of this policy at the grassroots level is being seen as a potential game-changer. 03 – Opportunities for Self-Employment On March 8, 2025 (International Women's Day), the government launched the Mahila Saarthi Yojana as a pilot project in Dehradun. Under this scheme, women are now earning livelihoods by driving auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers to ferry passengers. Additionally, schemes like Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana, Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana, and Drone Didi are creating multiple self-employment opportunities for women across the state. 'Women are the backbone of Uttarakhand's society. Our government believes that without empowering women, the progress of society is impossible. That's why we've launched several women-centric schemes that will prove to be game-changers in the future. Continuing this commitment, we are soon bringing a comprehensive Women's Policy, ' Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami underlined. (This is a press release by the Uttarakhand government.)
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Garuda Aerospace's agri drone facility launched in Chennai
CHENNAI: Kamlesh Paswan, Union Minister of State for Rural Development, formally inaugurated the 35,000 sqft Agri-Drone Indigenisation Facility of Garuda Aerospace in Chennai on Thursday. The facility will serve as a centre for design, manufacturing, and testing of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It will expand Garuda's existing operations and signal the government's growing emphasis on fostering domestic innovation and self-reliance in precision agriculture technologies. The event, held in partnership with the Bharat Drone Association, also saw the launch of several initiatives intended to strengthen India's drone skills ecosystem. Chief among them was the introduction of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved 'Train the Trainer' programme, which is an intensive capacity-building initiative aimed at certifying instructors in drone operation, safety, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. In a symbolic demonstration of grassroots engagement and inclusivity, women drone pilots, 'Drone Didis', performed live demonstration on using drones for farming operations. The initiative is part of a government-backed programme to train rural women in drone handling. Speaking on the occasion, Paswan said the 'Drone Didi' scheme is a game-changer as it empowers rural women to become certified drone pilots, helping farmers spray fertilizers and monitor crops more efficiently. He said 15,000 women have been trained and the aim is to increase that count to one lakh by 2026. Paswan also unveiled the plan to rollout 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in drone research and development. These centres are expected to become focal points for innovation, training, and public-private collaboration. Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said the facility will manufacture 33 different parts and seven critical subsystems. 'This facility will play a vital role in reducing dependency on imports and boosting the domestic drone manufacturing ecosystem,' he added.
Hans India
08-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Empowering women, empowering India: Nadda highlights transformative initiatives on 11 years of ‘Sashakt Nari'
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, on Sunday emphasised the role of key government initiatives in transforming the lives of women across India, marking "11 years of Sashakt Nari" -- a sustained efforts toward women's empowerment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Initiatives such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, PM Ujjwala Yojana, Drone Didi, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with its focus on toilet construction, Mahila Shakti Kendras, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have empowered our sisters and opened countless new opportunities," the Minister said in a post on social media platform X. He added that these schemes have placed women's aspirations at the heart of policymaking and governance. "Over the past 11 years, women have played an active role in every sector -- from healthcare and education to innovation and national defence," the Union Minister stated. "PM Modi's vision has ensured that women are not only included in the development journey but are leading it," he added. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, for instance, aims to increase women's participation in politics, while the Ujjwala Yojana has improved health and dignity for millions of rural women by providing clean cooking fuel. The innovative Drone Didi scheme is helping rural women learn drone operation for agricultural and logistical tasks, expanding both income and skill opportunities. Cleanliness and sanitation saw a significant boost through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, with an emphasis on toilet construction in homes and public spaces, bringing safety and dignity to women. Meanwhile, Mahila Shakti Kendras are offering support, training, and guidance to women at the grassroots, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao continues to advocate for the rights and education of the girl child. As India celebrates #11YearsOfSashaktNari, Minister Nadda called on citizens to continue building a society where women feel secure, valued, and empowered to achieve their dreams.
