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Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
National Technology Day a tribute to our scientists and engineers: Kiren Rijiju on 26 years of Pokhran-II nuclear tests
National Technology Day a tribute to our scientists and engineers: Kiren Rijiju on 26 years of Pokhran-II nuclear tests NEW DELHI: India on Sunday observed National Technology Day , commemorating the successful nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran on May 11, 1998, a landmark event that established the country as a nuclear power and underscored its growing technological prowess. BJP leader Kiren Rijiju paid tribute to the occasion, posting on X, "On this day in 1998, India took a bold leap with the Pokhran tests, a moment etched in our history. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared 11th May as National Technology Day, a tribute to our scientists & engineers whose brilliance continue to power India's journey of self-reliance." The day not only marks the Pokhran-II nuclear tests (Operation Shakti), but also two other key technological achievements: the successful test-firing of the Trishul missile and the first test flight of the indigenously developed Hansa aircraft. Following the tests, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee added the words "Jai Vigyan" to the iconic slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan." The following year, on May 11, 1999, India celebrated its first official National Technology Day, organised by the Council for Technology. India is now among the eight nations globally known to possess nuclear weapons. Its nuclear doctrine follows a No First Use (NFU) policy and a credible minimum deterrence posture, built on decades of research, strategic vision, and indigenous development. National Technology Day serves as a tribute to the contributions of Indian scientists and engineers and highlights the country's strides in innovation, defence, and technological self-reliance. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
National Technology Day: All you need to know about India's nuclear might for UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on National Technology Day, focused on India's nuclear journey from a broader perspective. India celebrates National Technology Day annually on May 11 to commemorate the successful nuclear test at Pokhran in 1998, which marked India's significant achievements in science and technology and emphasised its pivotal role in solidifying the nation's position as a global leader in technological innovation. In this context, let's know about the history of India's nuclear tests, associated personalities and India's nuclear doctrine. 1. On May 11, 1998, three very special technological advances were showcased by India's scientists and engineers — Operation Shakti, also known widely as Pokhran-II nuclear tests; the successful test firing of Trishul missile; and the first test flight of the indigenously developed aircraft Hansa. 2. The euphoria of demonstrations of these technologies was such that the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee added 'Jai Vigyan' (Hail Science) to Lal Bahadur Shastri's popular slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' (Hail the soldier and the farmer). 3. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also designated May 11 as National Technology Day in India to commemorate the historic Pokhran-II nuclear tests. The following year, on May 11, 1999, the Council for Technology organised the inaugural celebration of National Technology Day. 4. India is currently among eight countries in the world that have a publicly known nuclear weapons programme. At the time of India's independence, the country's leaders were opposed to fully embracing nuclear weapons. Just two years before in 1945, the world had witnessed the horrific nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Mahatma Gandhi called the use of nuclear weapons morally unacceptable. His protege and India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was also sceptical, but kept the door open for future consideration. 1. This future beckoned early, as India's defeat in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and and China's subsequent nuclear bomb test at Lop Nor in 1964 gave rise to legitimate fears about national security. Things were further accelerated, when in 1965, India went to war with Pakistan once again, with China openly supporting Pakistan this time. 2. Also, post 1974, Pakistan had actively started acquiring nuclear weapons. China was sharing technology and materials with Pakistan, and it was public knowledge. Effectively, India was faced with two nuclear capable adversaries, and needed to take steps towards building self-sufficiency. 1. By the 1970s, India was capable of conducting a nuclear bomb test. Bhaba's successor at the DAE, Vikram Sarabhai, had worked to significantly broaden India's nuclear technology and now the question was more of political will, especially in context of a global order extremely wary of nuclear proliferation. 2. On May 18, 1974, with support from Indira, India carried out its first nuclear test at the Pokhran test site. Pokhran-I, codenamed Operation Smiling Buddha, would be billed as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion', with 'few military implications'. 3. However, the world was not willing to buy India's version of the story. There was near-universal condemnation and countries like the US and Canada imposed significant international sanctions on India. These sanctions would be a major setback for India's nuclear journey, and majorly decelerate its progress. 1. Beyond international sanctions, India's nuclear journey was also hobbled by domestic political instability. The Emergency of 1975 and Prime Minister Morarji Desai's opposition to nuclear weapons brought the programme to a grinding halt. 2. After a few years of domestic turmoil when the political will to conduct nuclear testing was wanting, in 1998, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP came to power under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. One of the key promises in its manifesto was to 'induct nuclear weapons' into India's arsenal. 3. In March 1998, Pakistan launched the Ghauri missile – built with assistance from China. Two months later, India responded with Operation Shakti. 4. Notably, while the 1974 tests were ostensibly done for peaceful purposes, the 1998 tests were the culmination of India's nuclear weaponisation process. Consequently, the Indian Government declared itself as a state possessing nuclear weapons following Pokhran-II. 5. While the tests in 1998 also invited sanctions from some countries (like the US), the condemnation was far from universal like in 1974. In context of India's fast-growing economy and market potential, India was able to stand its ground and thus cement its status as a dominant nation state. Shekhar Mande ( former director general of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) explains– 1. 'Since 1998, the country has continued steadily in its journey of technological developments. Among the visible examples of India's impactful technological progress are the digital payment gateways that have democratised financial transactions like never before, and exemplify India's leadership in the world in this area. 2. Lesser-known milestones that have quietly been achieved are making of indigenous BioJet fuels, mapping of subsurface water channels for sustainable use of water, making of indigenous light combat aircraft, development of variety of crops by traditional methods of breeding, digitisation of many aspects of trade, and moving firmly towards a Hydrogen economy. 3. The recent push for infrastructural development, including promotion of use of domestic and industrial waste in it, and its spectacular results, are already making headlines. By steadily reducing energy dependence on natural resources and by promoting renewable energy, India is already in the league of nations where carbon footprint in the energy sector is likely to reduce dramatically. 4. Challenges, however, remain in many areas, including urban infrastructure and planning, containing air, water and soil pollution, slowing down rural to urban migrations, diversification of agricultural produce, judicious use of water resources, and promotion of AI/ ML technologies in all industrial segments.' 1. On January 4, 2003, when Vajpayee was India's Prime Minister, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met to review the progress in operationalizing the country's nuclear doctrine. An official release issued that day summarized the decisions that were being put in the public domain. 2. Among the major points in the doctrine was 'a posture of No First Use', which was described as follows: 'Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere'. However, the doctrine made it clear that India's 'nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage'. Also, 'in the event of a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons'. The doctrine also said: * Nuclear retaliatory attacks can only be authorised by the civilian political leadership through the Nuclear Command Authority. The Nuclear Command Authority comprises a Political Council and an Executive Council. The Political Council is chaired by the Prime Minister. * India would not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. * India would continue to put strict controls on the export of nuclear and missile related materials and technologies, participate in the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty negotiations, and continue to observe the moratorium on nuclear tests. * India remains committed to the goal of a nuclear weapons free world, through global, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. 1. The NPT is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament. 2. In 1968, the NPT came into existence. The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that have built and tested a nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967 – the US, Russia (formerly USSR), the UK, France and China – and effectively disallows any other state from acquiring nuclear weapons. 3. While the treaty has been signed by almost every country in the world, India is one of the few non-signatories. Consider the following countries: (UPSC CSE 2015) 1. China. 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Sources: Leaps India has taken, and what remains to be done, Nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar explains: How Pokhran happened, 25th anniversary of Pokhran-II: India's journey to become a nuclear power, India's doctrine of Nuclear No First Use) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for April 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Manas Srivastava 🚨 Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
News18
11-05-2025
- Science
- News18
National Technology Day 2025: History, Significance, Key Facts, And Quotes
Last Updated: National Technology Day 2025: The Indian government confers National Awards to scientists working to solidify the nation's position as a global leader in technological innovation. National Technology Day 2025: Every year on May 11, National Technology Day is observed to celebrate the achievements of engineers, researchers and scientists in the field of science and technology. On this day, the Indian government confers National Awards to individual scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs working to solidify the nation's position as a global leader in technological innovation. As we celebrate this day today, let's take a look at its history, origin, significance, key facts and quotes. National Technology Day 2025: History And Origin The history of National Technology Day dates back to 1998, when India, as a part of Operation Shakti, conducted the Nuclear Missile Test at the Indian Army's Pokhran range on May 11. Following the successful testing, India became only the sixth country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then authorised the Council for Technology to conduct National Technology Day festivities on May 11 starting next year. Since then, the event has been held annually to highlight India's quest for scientific research, technical ingenuity and innovation. National Technology Day 2025: Significance National Technology Day holds a special significance as it is the best occasion to celebrate inventors, scientists, and engineers as drivers for growth and development. India marks this day with great excitement, commemorating the extraordinary achievements of the country's scientists, engineers and innovators. The government organises events and seminars that explore the future of science and technology, giving a forum for discussion and inspiration. On the occasion, the government also announces the winner of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar or National Science Awards. National Technology Day 2025: Key Facts The theme for National Technology Day 2025 is, 'Empowering a Sustainable Tomorrow Through Innovation", which refers to the importance of innovation in developing a sustainable future. The day aims to motivate individuals, companies, and lawmakers to adopt eco-friendly practices and create technological advances that enable a greener planet through the use of sustainable solutions. The day strives to inspire and encourage the younger generation to pursue science and technology, hence contributing to India's progress as a technological hub. National Technology Day nurtures a sense of national pride in India's scientific and technical achievements. The day also emphasises the importance of indigenous technologies and promotes innovation that meets the requirements of the nation. National Technology Day 2025: Quotes 'Science is a wonderful gift to humanity; we should not distort it." 'Technology is everything that didn't exist when you were born." 'The best way to predict the future is to invent it." 'Every breakthrough in technology is a step forward in human evolution." 'Technology can overcome gaps, unite hearts, and create a better world." First Published: May 11, 2025, 07:00 IST
