Rahul Gandhi’s remark on India’s drone policy has drawn strong criticism from Smit Shah, chief of the Drone Federation of India (DFI). Gandhi’s comments evoking the country’s lack of drone knowledge and criticizing the technology angered Shah. DFI head condemned Gandhi for turning it hypocritical, adding that he condemned Gandhi for using what appeared to be a China-made drone to make his point. Gandhi’s visit to India inspired the company to send him messages — including the ‘real Gandhi’s response should be, ‘is not possible!’ over the choice of words — not surprisingly, Gandhi didn’t respond with the obvious.
Shah said that they produce drones and that a large percentage of them are made of indigenous fabrication. According to him, the active role taken up by the Indian government in the drone space, especially since 2021 when the government, with the support of industry and academia, took an assertive and proactive stance towards the development of drones in India, deserves appreciation. Not anymore, says Shah; the government no longer regards drones through a lens of confusion but as a real chance at development and progress.
He also raised concerns about the effect of Gandhi’s comments, especially for a person in whose hands is the masses. It is discouraging for young professionals like me for someone with such responsibility to belittle the entire industry by using a Chinese-made drone and asking if the capabilities of Indian manufacturers are there. India has over 400 drone companies, including about 40 to 50, which are focusing on drone components to play a role in the growth of the sector, he added.
Shah highlighted India’s achievements, saying that India has also mapped over 3 lakh villages using drones to digitise land records, which turned out to be an area where India is a leader.
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