Date, theme, history, significance

National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 every year to commemorate India's achievements in science and technology. Over the past few decades, the world has made great strides in the fields of science and technology. India has been at the forefront of innovation in various fields, be it healthcare or space research. Here's what you need to know about India's National Technology Day, including its history, significance and celebrations.

Date and theme

National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 every year. This date was chosen to commemorate the successful nuclear test conducted at Pokharan on May 11, 1998.

This year's National Technology Day falls on Saturday. The theme of National Technology Day 2024 is “School to Startup – Igniting young minds to innovate”, which aims to encourage the younger generation to engage in scientific research.

history

In 1998, the Indian military conducted a successful nuclear test at Pokharan. The test, codenamed Operation Shakti, demonstrated India's nuclear technological capabilities and made it the sixth country in the world to possess nuclear weapons.

The test involved five nuclear explosions underground at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This device contained four atomic bombs and one hydrogen bomb (also known as a fusion device or thermonuclear bomb). The test was conducted under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who announced that May 11 would henceforth be celebrated as National Technology Day.

significance and celebration

The events of May 11, 1998 in Pokharan were a milestone in India's scientific progress and technological prowess. These were celebrated as a show of national power and established India as a nuclear-weapon state.

Since then, India has gone from strength to strength. The country's focus on agriculture and food technology has strengthened food security for millions of people, it is at the forefront of AI, has a large presence in the pharmaceutical industry, and more recently It became one of only five countries to achieve a soft landing on the moon.

National Technology Day aims to celebrate all the achievements of India in the field of technology and encourage more youth to work for the scientific advancement of the country.

On May 11, the government will also announce the winners of Rashtriya Vigyan Purashkar (National Science Award).