NEC Planning Advisor during a regional consultation meet to promote health sector preparedness in Northeast conducted at Shillong on Tuesday has informed that plans are in the offing to deliver life-saving medicines through drones in the inaccessible areas of the region.  If the proposal is taken in a big way, it will be a great benefit for the region which suffers from the dual complexities of acute connectivity problems and constant vulnerability due to wraths of nature. As per the findings from the meet, it will be tried experimentally in Shillong initially and then to be covered in rest parts. For Arunachal, it can be of great hope and an apt solution for the medical needs of the perennially cut-off people residing in extreme peripheries.  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone as it is known widely known, although sounds similar to Unidentified Flying Objects(UFOs) of science fiction literature both in  terms of aerodynamics and looks, is nothing  of that sort and is a 21st century technological marvel. In India its applicability hasn’t really kicked-off in a noticeable way and is confined only to a selected few   applications concerning security aspects. It is true drone has already proved its mettle in increasing surveillance in border areas, thus doing a great job in ensuring full-proof  security for the nation. But lately, it is proving equal to the task while delivering a host of services that characteristically addresses civilian requirements. In developed countries it is widely used and even in various Asian countries it is proving to be a great tool in mitigating a plethora of problems confronting agriculture. From making assessments of farmlands which are at risk from natural disasters to measuring precise needs of   pesticide requirements, drones have silently become a part of agriculture apparatus. Although in the country it is yet to have a wide presence, experts believe that by the vast extent of the efficacies themselves, it would pick up soon.
Almost all over Northeast, extending the outreach of medical facilities is always a great challenge. If inhospitable terrain is a factor that contributes to remoteness of the region, lack of connectivity due to insufficiency of  transport infrastructures makes life of common people difficult, compelling them to remain marginalised for ever.   Arunachal’s problems are akin to the rest of NE and even more acute when it comes to its far-flung areas. There are also climate related and geo-physical disasters that are routine visitors and the rebuilding process can be greatly supplemented through drones by way of mapping of areas whether it be landslide or flood affected for example.  
Keeping in view of the host of services which drones can perform, it is high time this great relinking tool  is made a part of the state’s administrative apparatus.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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