Drishti.

The Sanskrit word दृष्टि (Dṛṣṭi) means sight, vision, gaze, or way of seeing. It comes from the Sanskrit root दृश् (dṛś), meaning "to see" or "to perceive."

Depending on the context, dṛṣṭi has different meanings:

Physical sight – eyesight or looking at something.

Guru dṛṣṭi means "the guru's gaze."

Mental outlook or perspective – one's way of understanding or viewing the world.

Sama-dṛṣṭi means "equal vision," seeing everyone with impartiality.

Divine or spiritual vision – the ability to perceive truths beyond ordinary sight.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna grants Arjuna divya-dṛṣṭi (divine vision) to behold the universal form.

Evil eye – in common Indian usage, dṛṣṭi can refer to the "evil eye" (dṛṣṭi doṣa), and people may perform dṛṣṭi nivāraṇa (removal of the evil eye).

In classical Indian traditions such as yoga and dance, dṛṣṭi also refers to the direction or focus of the eyes, which helps develop concentration and expressiveness.

Thus, dṛṣṭi is much more than eyesight—it encompasses vision, perception, insight, and one's entire way of seeing reality.

The defence technology finding an important civilian application.

Dr. Shubha Venkatesh Iyengar, a senior scientist from CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories, contributed to India's strategic defence programmes, including work associated with the Agni missile programme. She later led the development of Drishti, India's first indigenous runway visibility measuring system.

What does Drishti do?

Drishti continuously measures Runway Visual Range (RVR)—the distance a pilot can clearly see along the runway. This is crucial during:

Dense fog

Heavy rain

Dust storms

Smog

Low-light conditions

The system sends real-time visibility data to air traffic controllers and meteorological officers, enabling pilots to make safer landing and take-off decisions. 

Why is it important?

Before Drishti, India largely relied on expensive imported runway visibility systems. Drishti:

Is designed specifically for Indian weather conditions.

Costs significantly less than imported systems.

Requires less maintenance.

Meets international standards laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Meteorological Organization. 

The technology was first field-tested at Indira Gandhi International Airport around 2011 and was later deployed at major airports across India as well as at Indian Air Force airbases. 

Dr. Shubha Venkatesh Iyengar received the Padma Shri in recognition of this pioneering contribution to Indian aviation safety. 

Her work is a powerful reminder that scientific innovations developed for national defence can also save lives every day in civilian life—quietly guiding thousands of aircraft through fog and poor visibility.