National Technology Day

National Technology Day is celebrated across India on May 11 to commemorate India's scientific progress. On 11 May 1998, India successfully tested nuclear bombs at Pokhran. On this day, the achievements of engineers and scientists in the field of science and technology are celebrated.

On 11 May 1998 :

• The first indigenous aircraft "Hansa-3" was test flown in Bangalore. On the same day, India conducted a successful test firing of the Trishul missile.

• By then, India was among the elite and the sixth country to join the nuclear club.

• Operation Shakti (Pokhran- II) was launched on 11 May 1998.

Every year on this day, the Technology Development Board of India honours various individuals with national awards for their contribution to indigenous technology. This day thus glorifies the importance of science in daily life and motivates us to choose science as a career.

Significance :

Who are being announced for National Awards?

1. The most remarkable individuals, institutions and companies of the year.

2. The individuals are awarded for their contribution to make them stand out more and more in research, by the President of India.

Which Departments are the parts of this event?

1. The Department of Science and Technology,

2. Department of Biotechnology,

3. The Department of Earth Sciences,

4. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and

5. Several other science departments are involved in this event.

6. The Ministry of Science and Technology is also coordinating various events across India.

Undoubtedly, the National Technology Day is a great opportunity to encourage the youth of the country to come forward and appreciate the scientists and researchers for India's growing technology.

Notable missiles of our nation

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Operation Shakti:

• Do you know that 'Smiling Buddha' was the first nuclear test in Pokhran, conducted in May 1974?

• The second test was Pokhran II, a series of five tests of nuclear bomb explosions conducted by India at the Indian Army Test Site in Pokhran in May 1998.

• Pokhran II or Operation Shakti involved five detonations, the first of which was a fusion bomb, while the other four were fission bombs.

• On 13 May 1998, two more fission bombs were detonated and the then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bhiari Vajpayeeji declared India a full-fledged nuclear state.

• The original name of the operation was 'Operation Shakti-98' and the five nuclear bombs were classified as Shakti I to Shakti V.

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