Uttarakhand’s Daughters Soar High: Training to Become Drone Pilots and Achieve Self-Reliance Women in Uttarakhand are taking a giant leap towards self-reliance by becoming drone pilots through the Drone Service Technician Course run by ITDA CALC, an initiative of the state government. This course provides hands-on training in drone assembling, repairing, and flying, empowering young women with cutting-edge technology skills. ‘Drone Didis’ of Uttarakhand Leading the Way The Dhami government aims to equip rural and economically weaker youth with technical skills to boost their employability. To achieve this, the Drone Service Technician Course is being conducted with financial support from the Government of India and in collaboration with the Youth Welfare Department of Uttarakhand. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that the demand for drone technology is rapidly growing, and the state wants its youth to be trained and self-sufficient in this field** before it becomes mainstream Training Program Launched on January 6
The first batch of this 37-day, 330-hour intensive training program started on January 6 at the Provincial Youth Welfare Directorate in Dehradun, with 52 young women from across the state participating. The government is fully funding the training, covering expenses for accommodation, food, and transportation. The program is supported by two IT Skill Growth Centers in Rishikesh and Pithoragarh, which provide drone **repairing and operational training**.
The Dehradun training program is being conducted under the Rishikesh center, led by Virendra Chauhan, who stated that participants will undergo an exam at the end of the course. Those who pass will receive a government-recognized certificate from the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Additionally, the top five trainees will be awarded free drones to kickstart their careers. In total, the program aims to train 200 young men and women free of cost. Women Planning to Buy Their Own Drones Young women like Tanuja Verma from Pithoragarh, Roshni from Gairsain, and Jashoda from Uttarkashi—who come from underprivileged backgrounds—are now training to become professional drone pilots. They expressed their excitement about using their skills for self-employment as well as assisting in disaster relief and medical services. Some are even planning to purchase their own drones to start independent ventures. This initiative is not just about technology training but about creating opportunities and financial independence for young women in Uttarakhand, proving that they, too, can soar high—quite literally!
