Next Metro Thanjavur | Dinesh Baluraj on Yali Aerospace and Drones for Social Impact | BBS Infra

After working in the Netherlands, Dinesh Baluraj returned to his hometown of Thanjavur to build something larger than a profitable business. As the founder of Yali Aerospace, Dinesh is working to use drone technology to improve connectivity, deliver critical support, and create meaningful social impact. In this conversation, he shares the childhood experience that shaped his mission. When he was ten years old, two young boys in a rural part of Thanjavur lost their lives after being bitten by a snake. The nearest hospital was difficult to reach because the village lacked adequate transport connectivity. That incident led Dinesh to think deeply about how distance and poor connectivity can prevent people from receiving timely medical care. While many around him dreamed of becoming doctors, he chose to study aeronautical engineering and eventually build a company focused on drone technology. Dinesh also speaks about the difficult early stages of his entrepreneurial journey. Before receiving support and meeting influential leaders in the Indian startup ecosystem, he pitched Yali Aerospace to 100 investors—and received no positive response. Most investors wanted to know how quickly the company could generate returns. But for Dinesh, Yali Aerospace was never only about making money. It was built with a clear purpose: to solve real problems, create social impact, and potentially save lives. Watch the full conversation to learn: Why Dinesh returned from the Netherlands to Thanjavur How a childhood tragedy influenced his career Why he chose aeronautical engineering What happened when he approached 100 investors How Yali Aerospace is combining innovation with social impact Why meaningful entrepreneurship requires persistence and purpose Subscribe for more conversations with founders, innovators, and changemakers building the future of emerging cities. Featured: Dinesh Baluraj, Founder, Yali Aerospace Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India #YaliAerospace #DineshBaluraj #DroneInnovation