Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, successfully organized the “India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge,” a unique competition aimed at showcasing the diverse beauty, heritage, and transformation of India through aerial videography. The challenge invited participants to submit 2-3 minute videos, captured via drone, highlighting the country’s landscapes, culture, progress, and innovation.
The competition featured two categories to encourage wide participation. The Open Category was available to all Indian citizens, including filmmakers, students, hobbyists, professionals, and drone enthusiasts. In addition, the Drone Didi Category was specifically for women trained under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, which empowers women from rural and semi-urban areas through drone training initiatives.
To ensure maximum participation, BECIL launched an extensive media campaign that included both traditional and digital outreach. The campaign involved visits to drone academies, media institutes, and universities, along with seminars and live interactions to engage grassroots participants. A dedicated online portal was set up for seamless registration and submission of entries, while social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook were actively used to generate interest. The initiative received a tremendous response, with 1,324 registrations, including 382 entries from the Drone Didi Category, reflecting the growing popularity of drone videography across the country.
Entries came from various regions, from the Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh to the cultural landscapes of Uttar Pradesh, the plains of Bihar, and the innovation-driven states of Gujarat and Karnataka. The challenge became a nationwide celebration of creativity, capturing India’s transformation through aerial perspectives.
A distinguished jury panel, comprising Piyush Shah, a renowned cinematographer and producer, R.V. Ramani, a National Award-winning filmmaker, and Arun Varma, an acclaimed cinematographer, meticulously reviewed the submissions. After careful evaluation, five finalists from each category were selected, along with four special entries recognized for social representation. These finalists will showcase their work at the upcoming WAVES 2025 event, where the winners will be felicitated during a special ceremony.
The WAVES 2025 summit, scheduled to be held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, will offer a global platform to celebrate the best in the Media and Entertainment industry. This event will emphasize India’s growing creative strength, positioning the country as a hub for content creation and technological innovation. The summit will cover various industries, including animation, gaming, broadcasting, and digital media, while fostering international collaborations and innovations.
The recognition of these emerging drone talents reflects India’s vibrant creative landscape and highlights the growing role of technology in storytelling. As the finalists gear up for WAVES 2025, they carry forward the vision of India’s diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, reimagined through the lens of modern technology.