Assam's first college-level drone pilot training center inaugurated in Boko

In a groundbreaking initiative for Assam, the North-East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Government of India, in partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru College, Boko, has established a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) at the college. This marks the first time drone training is being offered at the college level in Assam. The center, inaugurated on June 25, aims to equip individuals from North-East India, particularly Assam, with 21st-century skills.

Dr. Tapan Dutta, Principal of JN College Boko, expressed pride in the launch of the RPTO, highlighting the significance of this development for the college and the state. He noted that the program received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and has officially started in collaboration with NECTAR.

The inaugural batch comprises ten women from Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Assam, who will receive training free of cost under the central government's Drone DiDi scheme. These trainees were nominated by their respective state governments. Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General of NECTAR, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting the central government's efforts to promote drone usage at the village level and provide low-interest loans for purchasing drones, which are vital in sectors such as agriculture, defense, and media.

Dr. Sarma also pointed out the significant demand for drone pilots in India, with the country needing over 100,000 drone pilots compared to the current 10,000-20,000. The establishment of this training center aims to attract youth to the profession and potentially serve neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, which also face a shortage of drone pilots.

The inauguration ceremony featured a day-long program at the college, with Smt. Laya Madduri, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Assam, as the chief guest, alongside Boko MLA Nandita Das and Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma. Distinguished guests and students participated in the event, which included demonstrations of various drones used in different sectors.

A meeting on drone applications and related matters was held, presided over by Principal Dr. Tapan Dutta. Smt. Laya Madduri delivered a speech on the practical aspects of drones, mentioning their use in flood mapping and providing essentials in Assam's Silchar, highlighting the significant potential for drone technology in the region.

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