Drone technology company Garuda Aerospace has trained 12 women in Goa under its ‘Drone Didi’ initiative as part of a three-year plan to create 300 certified women drone pilots.
The IPO-bound company aims to train 100 women every financial year in Goa in partnership with Goa Information Technology Development Corporation and the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications.
First cohort showcases skills
The first batch of 12 women, recognised as the ‘Special 12’ by the Goa IT Minister, demonstrated their ability to independently operate drones.
“The Drone Didi initiative is a powerful example of how technology can become an enabler of economic independence and social transformation,” said Garuda Aerospace, Founder & CEO, Agnishwar Jayaprakash.
Focus on women-led livelihoods
He said certified drone skills would enable women to become technology users, service providers and entrepreneurs, while strengthening rural livelihoods and creating technology-led opportunities.
Garuda Aerospace has partnered with government institutions and regional training organisations, including Rural Electrification Corporation and Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, to expand drone skilling.
500 women trained in 2024
The company plans to expand free drone pilot training for widows and wives of armed forces personnel to support technology-led livelihoods.
In 2024, Garuda Aerospace trained more than 500 rural women in drone technology and supplied 446 drones to women-led Self-Help Groups across 20 states. It has also created more than 3,500 jobs, including pilot and technician roles.