DIMAPUR, SEP 7 (NPN): Nagaland governor Nand Kishore Yadav has emphasised the need to leverage modern technology and innovation for effective governance and development, while preparing the state’s youth for emerging employment opportunities.
According to a Lok Bhavan statement, Yadav said this during his visit to the Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre (NGISRSC) and the Drone Centre of Excellence under the State Planning & Transformation Department on Monday.
The governor, who expressed appreciation for the work being carried out by the centre, said he was “truly fascinated” by the functioning and initiatives of the NGISRSC. He encouraged the centre to continue its efforts and assured his support for strengthening its activities and capabilities.
Yadav highlighted the wide-ranging applications of drone technology in agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management, environmental monitoring, cinematography and geospatial mapping. He stressed the importance of equipping young people with skills in emerging technologies to create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and start-ups.
The governor also encouraged the centre to contribute to the vision of a self-reliant India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
During the visit, the governor was briefed on Nagaland’s adoption of drone technology, beginning with the establishment of a drone unit for mapping, surveying and geospatial data acquisition.
The centre has since undertaken research and development programmes and collaborated with government departments and other stakeholders, gradually building recognition in UAV training.
The drone school has evolved into a Centre of Excellence aimed at developing skilled manpower and creating career pathways in employment, entrepreneurship, start-ups and public-sector UAV applications.
The centre offers DGCA-compliant remote pilot certificate courses for small and medium-category drones, along with specialised training in first-person-view operations, drone repair and maintenance, GIS drone survey and mapping, cinematography and avionics.
Under the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM), 70 candidates have been selected for training in various drone-related courses, while 72 trainees have completed training under the Centre of Excellence.
The centre’s future plans include development of a state geospatial campus at Tuoliezou, Kohima, along with an advanced drone technology and UAV innovation hub. The proposed facilities are envisaged to include AI-enabled drones, LiDAR, multispectral and thermal sensors, autonomous systems, fabrication, prototyping, repair and manufacturing capabilities for applications in disaster response, agriculture, health and infrastructure.
The initiative aims to position Nagaland as a regional hub for drone skills and innovation while creating technology-driven employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the state’s youth.
During the governor’s visit, development commissioner Y Kikheto Sema and other officials of planning & transformation were also present.
