Hindustan Times
“A groundbreaking offline, drone-based search-and-rescue solution”
Business Challenge
At one of the world’s largest gatherings, mobile networks frequently collapsed, making it extremely difficult to locate missing children. DSP needed to demonstrate its “Invest for Good” philosophy in a meaningful way, moving beyond traditional communication to tangible impact. The challenge was to deliver a scalable, reliable solution in an environment with no connectivity, while building emotional trust with millions.
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Cultural need
The Maha Kumbh is a deeply spiritual gathering rooted in faith and tradition. Garuda, a mythological protector, holds cultural significance as a guardian figure. By reimagining Garuda as a technological protector, the initiative bridged cultural belief with modern safety needs, delivering a solution that felt both innovative and spiritually resonant.
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Lab process
The solution was built on deep research into the Kumbh’s scale and infrastructure limitations. Borrowing from 1970s marine navigation systems, the team developed an offline, ultra-low frequency (ULF) communication system. This enabled precise tracking with minimal data, bypassing network failure entirely. The process combined cultural insight, engineering innovation, and real-world testing to create a robust, scalable solution
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Innovation outcome
Garuda Rakshak reimagined myth as machine. The drone system operated fully offline across a 4000-hectare area, using ULF signals to detect wristbands and locate missing children. Designed as Garuda, it became both a functional rescue tool and a cultural symbol of protection. It wasn’t an ad, it was a new model of brand-led public safety intervention.
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Business Challenge
At one of the world’s largest gatherings, mobile networks frequently collapsed, making it extremely difficult to locate missing children. DSP needed to demonstrate its “Invest for Good” philosophy in a meaningful way, moving beyond traditional communication to tangible impact. The challenge was to deliver a scalable, reliable solution in an environment with no connectivity, while building emotional trust with millions.
Our work / Garuda Rakshak 001 / 000