Now, UAV for viewing 'live' images of R-Day function in state

An indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will be used during this year's Republic Day function in Gujarat, which will enable people to get a bird's eye view of the proceedings like parade, tableaux and cultural programme, by sending 'live' feed to a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) stationed on the ground.

"The UAV will provide public a glimpse of the Republic Day parade, tableaux and cultural programmes by sending live feed to a LED stationed on the ground," Sabarkantha District Development Officer N Nagrajan said.

This year's Republic Day official state function is being held in Himmatnagar, the district headquarter of Sabarkantha, located in North Gujarat, Sabarkantha Collector Banchhanidhi Pani said. "This UAV is developed by Daksha, a team of Anna University in Chennai, headed by Dr Senthil Kumar. This is for the first time that a UAV is being used for civilian application in the state for Republic Day function," he said.

Explaining its wide-ranging utilities, Nagarajan said the UAV is an unmanned aircraft (without a human pilot), which is operated on battery system by remote control.

Besides being useful in agriculture, like helping in know which farmer has sowed which crop, it provides accurate geographical data and can be useful in town-planning and designing road projects, Nagrajan said, adding that 3D maps of area under survey can also be generated using it. "The UAV was used for relief and rescue operations in Uttarkhand during the natural disaster that struck the state in June-July last year. It is extremely useful in natural calamities where helicopters cannot fly in low altitude," he added. He said using UAV for showing public 'live' images of the Republic Day's function will depict how technology can be leveraged for rural development.