The story of women empowerment in India has found new protagonists—the Namo Drone Didis. These women are breaking barriers and embracing technology, showcasing strength and potential of women in the modern world.
A constant stream in PM Modi’s overall vision for India has been women-led development. Over the past 10 years, several steps have been taken to honour and empower women. ‘Beti’, ‘Matru’, and ‘Didi’ have served as key touchpoints in PM Modi’s outreach to the women of India.
Drone Didis: Bridging Gaps with Technology and Opportunity
Namo Drone Didi is yet another initiative to address longstanding gaps in the nation’s growth story, where women in rural areas are taking the lead, pursuing paths that no longer lead to drudgery but modern and technology-driven prospects.
The plan is to provide drones to 15,000 women Self-Help Groups. They would be able to make use of these drones to provide rental services to farmers for spraying fertilisers and pesticides in their fields.
One woman member will be given mandatory drone pilot training for 15 days. She will also be trained for appropriate nutrients and pesticides application. Another member will be trained as ‘drone assistant’ to take care of repairs of electrical goods, fitting and mechanical works. It is poised to boost the annual income of each SHG by at least Rs. 1 lakh.
This creates a sustainable formula for generating new livelihoods by combining jobs with technology literacy, but it doesn’t stop there. The government is also committed to building essential infrastructure, such as internet connectivity and power supply in rural areas.
The plan is an integral part of the broader ecosystem that the Modi government has consciously built and promoted across India, especially in rural areas—an ecosystem focussed on self-sufficiency and sustainability.
A closer look at other flagship schemes of the government demonstrates this vision. Initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana, among others, have not only delivered tangible social goods but have also created an interconnected ecosystem where one benefit naturally leads to another.
Aatmanirbhar Nari to Aatmanirbhar Bharat
At the heart of this ecosystem is an Aatmanirbhar village economy, one that generates raw material, creates jobs, and drives income, serving as the foundation of sustainable growth.
As Drone Didis become skilled drone entrepreneurs, they not only create additional sources of income for themselves but also pave way for technology-driven agriculture. This, in turn, leads to improved crop efficiency, higher farm yields, and reduced operational costs for farmers.
As women make more money, their children gain better access to education and are empowered to become the leaders of tomorrow, thereby enabling the Indian economy to fully harness its demographic dividend.
In this sense, Drone Didis are a key part of the broader value chain of opportunity, adaptability and growth—creating an Aatmanirbhar Nari, leading to Aatmanirbhar Ghar, Aatmanirbhar Gaon, and ultimately contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
This journey begins with the government handholding these women SHGs to buy drones, operate them, and pursue newer business opportunities. The government covers 80% of the cost for drone purchases, up to Rs. 8 lakh, and provides loans with a 3% interest subvention for the remaining cost.
This initiative ensures built-in affordability and easy access to credit to cover the remaining costs. Access to credit to women SHGs is yet another success story in this regard.
Today, seeing women queuing up at banks in rural areas has become a common and heartening sight. Women who hardly ever stepped out of the confines of their homes now go to banks to withdraw money. Women who were once disconnected from education and career opportunities are now managing paperwork on their own and taking on progressive roles.
They are using this money to start enterprises of their own, whether big or small, and are becoming productive assets to the national economy—becoming Lakhpati Didis in their own right.
The Namo Drone Didi initiative offers them yet another opportunity to contribute to this partnership in a whole new way—a new business opportunity and an even newer way to break the glass ceiling and gender stereotypes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has distributed drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis, and has paved way for a fructuous cycle of innovation, empowerment and progress.
