National Technology Day
May 11th is annually observed as National Technology Day all over India to commemorate technological breakthroughs like mastering of nuclear weapons technology (Pokharan II) through a series of controlled tests at Pokharan, test firing of the indigenously developed Trishul missile and test flight of the indigenous aircraft Hansa-3. These achievements indicated the resurgence of Indian Technology.
11th May the National Technology Day is celebrated annually all over the India to commemorate technological breakthroughs which included:
1. Mastering of the nuclear weapons technology (Pokharan II) through a series of controlled tests at Pokharan,
2. Test firing of the indigenously developed Trishul missile and
3. Test flight of the indigenous aircraft Hansa-3.
These diverse and significant achievements on a single day, in a way, indicated the resurgence of Indian Technology. Nuclear power represents perhaps one of the most powerful technologies developed in the 20th century and this was a technology that is not easily available. The success of India in a developing nuclear power not only represented India developing its own technological muscle but also success in an area which is strategically important.
What Exactly happened on 11th May 1998 ?
On May 11 and May 13, 1998, India conducted five nuclear tests at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan, India. First of the five tests were carried out on May 11, 1998 when three nuclear devices were detonated simultaneously registering in nearby seismic stations as a 5.3 Richter Scale earthquake. The next two tests were carried out on May 13, 1998. Since then, India has imposed a self-moratorium on nuclear tests.
The remarkable contributions made by the scientists and engineers in the field of S&T are remembered on this day. It may be noted that, India has made a tremendous progress in Science &Technology, especially in Space Research, Aeronautical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, etc. emphasis on Science and Technology, will rapidly usher in an era of prosperity. In order to achieve progress, we need to put science and technology in the forefront of all developmental processes. In this context, National technology Day reminds us about the past technological progress made by our country and at the same to understand the way ahead to maintain the technological competitiveness.