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India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Mallikarjun Kharge extends greetings on 51 years of India's first nuclear test
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday extended congratulatory greetings on the 51st anniversary of India's first nuclear test codenamed 'Smiling Buddha' near Pokhran in Rajasthan. He credited the leadership of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for the success of the operation despite many adversities. '51 years ago, India conducted its first Nuclear Test, code named 'Smiling Buddha' and became the 6th nation in the world to carry out such tests. Our scientists and researchers achieved this extraordinary feat through their ingenuity and dedication. We are deeply grateful to them,' Kharge posted on X. 'Indira Gandhi demonstrated exemplary and dynamic leadership, displaying remarkable courage even in the face of adversity, a legacy that endures,' the Congress leader said. On May 18, 1974, India became the sixth country to carry out its first nuclear test, shocking the entire world. A nuclear device was detonated in Rajasthan, near Pokhran, and the operation was code-named Smiling Buddha. The work for the nuclear test was approved by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1972, after which a team of scientists and other experts began working on the same at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The Pokhran-I test was conducted underground in the remote Rajasthan desert, earning it the name of 'peaceful explosion' since it was carried out for non-military purposes. India became the first nation to conduct a nuclear test and the sixth country in line to do so, apart from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). A team of 75 people, including scientists and engineers, worked on designing and developing the nuclear bomb. Follow this, India conducted its second nuclear test, known as Pokhran-II or Operation Shakti, in 1998 under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Recently, the tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian army in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, has rekindled debates about nuclear weapons, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the nation would no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail and will respond to any terrorist attack with strict and decisive action. (ANI)
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Nuclear Dawn: 51 Years Since 'Smiling Buddha' Changed India's Global Standing
Fifty-one years ago, on May 18, 1974, India silently yet dramatically altered the global power balance when it successfully detonated its first nuclear device beneath the sun-scorched sands of Rajasthan's Pokhran. This historic achievement made India the first nation outside the five permanent UN Security Council members to demonstrate nuclear capability. Codenamed "Smiling Buddha," the operation firmly established India's technological prowess, strategic independence, and national determination on the international stage. The Pokhran-I test was executed under extraordinary secrecy during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership. Just one day before the test, she authorized the final step with the simple directive to Dr. Ramanna: "Please go ahead. It will be good for the nation." This followed her initial approval of the project during a BARC visit in September 1972. A dedicated team of 75 scientists and engineers, under the guidance of Raja Ramanna, PK Iyengar, and Rajagopala Chidambaram, had worked meticulously on the project from 1967 to 1974. Their efforts culminated in success when scientist Pranab Rebatiranjan Dastidar pressed the firing button at 8:05 am on that fateful morning. The operation's codename drew inspiration from Gautama Buddha, with the test coincidentally occurring on Buddha Jayanti. Following the successful detonation, Raja Ramanna sent a cryptic message to the Prime Minister stating, "The Buddha has finally smiled." While India officially described the test as a "peaceful nuclear explosion," Raja Ramanna later clarified in a 1997 interview: "The Pokhran test was a bomb, I can tell you now... An explosion is an explosion, a gun is a gun, whether you shoot at someone or shoot at the ground." The international community responded swiftly by establishing the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a coalition of 48 nuclear supplier countries formed to regulate nuclear technology exports. India maintained nuclear restraint for 24 years before conducting five additional tests in May 1998 during Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These tests, which included a thermonuclear device, firmly positioned India as the world's sixth declared nuclear power. The 1974 test's legacy remains profound—it demonstrated India's scientific capabilities, established its strategic autonomy, and forever altered the nation's position in global affairs, effects that continue to resonate fifty-one years later.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
PM Modi's Op Sindoor Speech And A Curious 'Smiling Buddha' Connection
New Delhi: "The Buddha is smiling," was the code message flashed to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when India successfully detonated its first nuclear bomb at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan on May 18, 1974. The date was Buddha Purnima, the festival marking the birth of Gautama Buddha. Hence, the codename. The test prompted Pakistan to accelerate its nuclear programme, culminating in tests in 1998. Fifty-one years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose the same Buddhist festival day to deliver a strong message to Pakistan: "India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail". The Indira Gandhi government's announcement half a century ago described the nuclear test as a "peaceful" explosion. PM Modi used the word "peace" with a sine qua non: "If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace". 'Buddha Smiles Again' The Prime Minister's statement was analogous to the one made by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister and a BJP stalwart, after India conducted three underground nuclear tests on May 11, 1998, in the same Rajasthan testing range, 24 years after Pokhran-1. Two days later, India conducted two more tests. He kept his announcement straight, avoiding the word "peaceful". Incidentally, the Vajpayee government also chose Buddha's birthday for the nuclear tests, codenamed 'Operation Shakti, but widely known as 'Buddha Smiles Again'. 'Path Of Peace Goes Through Power' PM Modi's Monday address was his first since India's 100-hour military conflict with its nuclear-armed neighbour following New Delhi's 'Operation Sindoor', which was a response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians were killed in cold blood. In the 25-minute operation, India struck nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. "Instead of supporting India's strike against terrorism, Pakistan started attacking India itself," PM Modi said, adding, "If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given... a befitting response on our terms only." PM Modi ended his speech with a "peace" message of Buddha - "Today is Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha has shown us the path of peace". But, there was a significant subscript, "The path of peace also goes through power."
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Three-day tech quest concludes in Gumla
Gumla: A three-day Gumla Tech Quest concluded on Sunday in Gumla district on the occasion of the National Technology Day , which is celebrated to commemorate the successful Pokhran Nuclear Test —Operation Shakti — on May 11 programmes including a workshop was held at the district science centre (DSC) on the theme of 'use of technology, science, and innovation in education' as part of the programme, which was organised by the district administration along with the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) to sensitise students and public at large on significance of science and technology. "The event began with a workshop for students of the CM School of Excellence, focusing on the use of technology, science, and innovation in education," said Dildar Singh, assistant nodal officer of the Gift of Education initiative run by the students were also introduced to robotics, 3D printing, and various scientific exhibits during the fest. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Technology a force multiplier for inclusive growth, say techies on National Technology Day
New Delhi [India], May 11 (ANI): National Technology Day, celebrated on May 11 every year, commemorates the momentous events of this day back in 1998, when India conducted successful nuclear tests under Operation Shakti, and saw the maiden flight of the indigenously developed Hansa-3 aircraft. In recognition of these achievements, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared May 11 as National Technology Day. Over the years, National Technology Day has evolved into a flagship occasion for honouring scientific excellence, showcasing industrial innovations, and reinforcing the partnership between science, society, and industry. Scientific temperament in India has increased over the years - from space to telecom, semiconductors to AI, biotechnology to fintechs. Here are some of the perspectives from people in technology domain on India's growing prowess: According to Ganesh Gopalan, Co-Founder and CEO, at AI services provider India's relentless pursuit of innovation, and a reminder of how technology can be a force multiplier for inclusive growth. 'Today, breakthroughs in Voice AI, multilingual large language models (LLMs), and agentic AI are empowering enterprises to build smarter, more human-centric solutions. From revolutionizing customer support and financial services to enabling real-time healthcare assistance in regional languages, AI is reshaping how industries operate and interact. As India's digital ecosystem accelerates, it is crucial that innovation remains responsible, ethical, and tailored to local as well as global needs,' Gopalan noted. India ranks 39th in the Global Innovation Index (GII), which presents vast opportunities for developing advanced, innovative and sustainable technologies which will help drive the country's digital vision forward. Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India, said, 'India's technology sector continues to be a strong pillar showcasing prominent and immense growth, powered by innovation in semiconductors, connectivity, and digital infrastructure. At MediaTek, we believe that fostering local R&D, strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem, and investing in skill development will be key to supporting India's ambitions as a global innovation hub.' The official theme for National Technology Day 2025 -- 'YANTRA - Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.' 'National Technology Day is a celebration of India's spirit of innovation, a force that continues to shape a more sustainable and resilient future,' said Sriram Kannan, Founder and CEO, Routematic. 'As we pioneer AI and data-driven, eco-conscious mobility solutions, we witness every day how technology can reimagine urban transport, making it cleaner, smarter, and more efficient.' According to Rupesh Kumar, Co-Founder and CTO, Suhora Technologies, technology today is no longer confined to research labs; it permeates every aspect of our lives, from defence and national security to smart farming and sustainable cities to precision healthcare and digital finance. 'The space industry, particularly the downstream segment, is no exception. AI is now revolutionising the way we process and analyse Earth observation data, making it faster, smarter, accurate and more efficient,' Rupesh Kumar added. (ANI)
