Importance of National Technology Day
National Technology Day is celebrated across India on May 11 every year, being commemorated to memorize the anniversary of Shakti, the Pokhran-II nuclear test held on 11 May 1998. The first indigenous aircraft, “Hansa-3”, was test flown at Bangalore on this day. And, not only this, but India also performed a successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day.
Vidhyashram International School Jodhpur celebrates this occasion every year, where children get a chance to participate in the Science exhibition, visit laboratories and various technology and research development centres. This day glorifies the importance of science in our day-to-day life and motivates students to opt for science as an option, become scientists, and make India proud.
National Technology Day is an occasion to recollect all the technological advancements in the field of agriculture, biotechnology, pharmacy, and health etc. The day marks the importance of scientists, engineers and everyone who is an active participant in building our nation.
What is Operation Shakti?
- The ‘Smiling Buddha‘ was the first nuclear test at Pokhran, which was carried out in May 1974.
- The second test was Pokhran II, a series of five tests of nuclear bomb explosions administered by India at the Pokhran Test Range of the Indian Army in May 1998.
- Operation Shakti or Pokhran II comprised five detonations, out of which the first one was a fusion bomb and the others were fission bombs.
- The original name of the operation was ‘Operation Shakti 98‘, and five nuclear devices were classified from Shakti I – Shakti V. And now, the whole operation is known as Pokhran II. Pokhran I was the explosion made in 1974.
- Two additional fission bombs were detonated on 13 May 1998, when the Government was run by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister, shortly summoned a press conference to declare India as a full-fledged nuclear state.
National Technology Day: History
On 11 May 1998, a nuclear test was held in Pokhran and based on these tremendous achievements of our scientists, engineers etc., Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared 11 May as the National Technology Day. Hence, since 1999, the Technology Development Board (TDB) celebrates this day and remembers various technological innovations that have positively impacted our nation. Also, every year TDB comes up with a theme, and on that basis, several events, competitions are held in the country.
National Technology Day: Celebrations
- On this day, Technology Development Board (TDB) confer National Awards to the most noteworthy institutions, individuals, and businesses of the year.
- The people are awarded for their contribution towards society by the President of India, so they are motivated to excel in their research and other work.
- The Department of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Department of Biotechnology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and several other scientific departments are part of this event.
- The ministry of science and technology also conducts different events across India.
- All the planning and decorations of the event are done according to the theme.
- Script, speech and essay competitions are organized in several institutions.
The schools must create interest and awareness about science and technology amongst students. So, they know the importance of science in everyone’s life. This can be a great opportunity to encourage the youth of our nation to come forward and achieve something great for society, and also appreciate the efforts of our scientists and researchers for India’s growing technology.
