May 11: National Technology Day

National Technology Day is being observed across India on May 11 to mark India’s technological advancements and to promote the development of technology in various fields. The official theme for this year is “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”.

Background

The day is being commemorated to celebrate the anniversary of first of the five nuclear tests of Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear test, held from 11 to 13 May 1998 in Pokhran, Rajasthan. The operation was led by former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was then Director of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). After conducting nuclear tests as part of Pokhran-II, India was declared as nuclear state by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, making it sixth nation to join ‘nuclear club’ of nations as well as first country which was not a part of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT).
India also conducted successful test firing of Trishul missile on May 11, 1998. Trishul missile was developed as part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) by DRDO. Trishul Missile got inducted by Indian Army and Indian Airforce. Moreover, Hansa 3, India’s first indigenous aircraft was also first tested on May 11, 1998 in Bangalore. It was first of its kind general aviation two-seater plane used for flight training as well as personal flying.
Based on these tremendous, groundbreaking achievements by Indian scientists, engineers, as well as technicians, May 11 was declared as the National Technology Day. To commemorate this day, Technology Development Board (TDB) has instituted National Award. This award is conferred on to various individuals and industries by the President for their successful achievement in commercialization of Indigenous Technology.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018