Rising High, the Drone Way

INTERVIEW

Employment News spoke to Shri Manish Bajpai, Director, Daybest Research Private Limited. The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) had collaborated with Daybest for the Drone Response and Outreach in North East (iDrone) in October 2021. It was for the first time that a “Make in India” drone was used in South Asia to transport COVID vaccine over an aerial distance of 15 kilometers in 12 to 15 minutes from the Bishnupur district hospital to Karang Island in the middle of Loktak lake, Manipur for administration at the Primary Health Centre.

How did the idea for your venture come about?

Manish Bajpai: After seeing lack of data digitization in rural India which is big roadblock for development, we saw opportunity in developing drones which can carry multiple sensors for agriculture, healthcare and defense.

What kind of customer base do you currently have and what goals have you set for the near future?

Manish Bajpai: Currently, we are mostly working with central and state government agencies, institutions, Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) and Universities. Very soon we will be deploying our aircraft for long range surveillance. We also plan to build a Drone Station in every Panchayat in India on rental model which will give the people and farmers direct access to the technology.

What kind of manpower does your company hire?

Manish Bajpai: We hire for Technical Team which includes Aerospace Engineers, Electrical Engineers. Then our Operational Team needs Flight Supervisors, Drone Pilots, Maintenance Engineers. Our Ground Team includes Field Data Collection Associates - this job is not very much technical.

What is your perception of India's StartUp ecosystem?

Manish Bajpai: The StarUp ecosystem is moving towards the mature stage. Now, Venture Capitals (VC) are easily accessible. Moreover, the governments are buying products/services from Startups. This provides the industry with the much required moral and financial boost.

 Your advise to Indian youths seeking to establish a StartUp.

Manish Bajpai: Take one project/product, do intense field work, ground research, make your prototype functional and commercial, and give time. Rome was not built in a day!

What do you forecast for the future of drone delivery in India?

Manish Bajpai: Drone delivery will first gain more traction in hard to access areas like mountains, hills and island. It will eventually become the norm in all other areas.

Tell us about your experience of collaboration with the ICMR for vaccine delivery in the North East.

 Manish Bajpai: I am thankful for DG, ICMR for trusting on our capabilities. We learnt a lot while completing this project. As a result, many state governments have shown their interest.

 (Interviewed by EN team)