{"id":105678,"date":"2025-03-19T11:25:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T15:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dronelife.com\/?p=105678"},"modified":"2025-03-19T11:25:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T15:25:29","slug":"bill-gates-witnesses-drone-revolution-in-rural-india-marut-drones-empowers-women-through-namo-drone-didi-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dronelife.com\/2025\/03\/19\/bill-gates-witnesses-drone-revolution-in-rural-india-marut-drones-empowers-women-through-namo-drone-didi-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill Gates Witnesses Drone Revolution in Rural India"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indian AgTech Company Marut Drones Showcases How Drone Technology is Transforming Lives and Breaking Gender Barriers in Agriculture<\/h3>\n

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb<\/p>\n

Marut Drones, an Indian developer of agriculture-focused UAVs, recently announced that their partnership with the Indian government to train rural women to use drones had received an important visit from Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation and former Microsoft CEO. Gates visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute\u2019s (IARI) Pusa Campus located in New Delhi, where he witnessed a demonstration of flight training for rural women, trained under the Indian government\u2019s Namo Drone Didi Scheme by Marut Drones.<\/p>\n

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The demonstration featured rural women flying Marut AG365 Drones, a multi-utility UAV that features a six-propeller setup and a maximum 22 minute flight time. The AG365 was the first agriculture-focused drone to receive approval from the DGCA, India\u2019s civil aviation authority.<\/p>\n

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme was instituted in 2023, provisioning funds to train rural women in drone skills, increasing their independence within their communities and providing new opportunities for economic development. The resulting increase in income has massive impacts on impoverished rural families, showing the power of drone technology to create upward mobility.<\/p>\n

Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO and Co-Founder of Marut Drones, said, \u201cIt\u2019s a proud moment to see the women trained by Marut Drones are interacting with Mr. Bill Gates. Watching them operate drones confidently truly reflects how technology can ensure economic empowerment and break barriers of a traditionally male-dominated industry. The presence of global leaders like Mr. Bill Gates, visiting India and witnessing firsthand the impact of drone technology at the grassroots level is a strong validation of how India\u2019s drone ecosystem is truly challenging the gender norms in rural India and creating financially independent women entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Marut Drones provided training to all three operators, including refresher courses, and is an active participant in the Drone Didi program.\u00a0 Marut Drones is the first company in India to receive dual DGCA approval for manufacturing and remote pilot training.<\/p>\n

\u00a0More information on Marut Drones is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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