Latest news with #Pokhran-II
India.com
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pokhran 1974: India's first nuclear test was delayed by 5 minutes due to...
Representational Image/AI-generated Pokhran nuclear test: On May 18, 1974, exactly 51 years ago, India shook the world by conducting its first nuclear test at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range, deep inside the barren Thar desert in Rajasthan. Under Pokhran-I, codenamed the 'Smiling Buddha', India successfully detonated a nuclear fission bomb, joining a select group of elite nations with nuclear weapons capability. Why India's first nuclear test was delayed? A little known incident from the historic day of May 18, 1974 is that India's first nuclear test faced a delay of around five minutes. Let us find out why. According to details, while all preparations for the nuclear test were complete, and a scaffold was set up five kilometers away where top military officials and scientists were to witness the detonation. As the scheduled time started winding down, scientist Virendra Sethi was asked to inspect the test site for one final time. However, after completing the inspection, Sethi's jeep broke down, forcing him walk two kilometers on foot to reach the control room, due to which the test was conducted at 8:05 AM, a five-minute delay from its scheduled time of 8 AM. How India's nuclear dream became a reality? India becoming a nuclear power as early as 1974, less than three decades after independence, was a remarkable achievement by a country which was still marred by economic and food insecurity, fought multiple wars with its hostile neighbors, defied the US hegemony, and yet showed the resilience and fortitude to become a strong military power. Apart from the iron-willed leadership of Indira Gandhi– India's then Prime Minister– the Pokhran nuclear test was the fruit of seven long years of hard work by a team of brilliant nuclear scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, who worked tirelessly on developing India's nuclear capabilities. The 75-member team, which also included India's rocket pioneer Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, led by then BARC director Dr. Raja Ramanna, worked laboriously from 1967 to 1974 on India's top secret nuclear project, which culminated with the country's first nuclear test on May 18, 1974. Dr Kalam would later go on to lead India's second series of nuclear test under Pokhran-II in 1998. India's Iron Lady Indira Gandhi and the Pokhran nuclear test During a 1972 visit to BARC, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had reported given verbal permission to scientists to build a plant for nuclear testing. The whole operation was highly classified, and no country, not even the United States, was kept in the loop, till the day of test. India's surprise nuclear test infuriated the US who imposed a wave of sanctions on the country, including halting the export of nuclear material and fuel to India. But during this crucial hour, India found support from the Soviet Union (USSR), a staunch adversary of the US during the Cold War days. Indira Gandhi's stance on nukes differed from Shastri, Nehru Notably, India's top political leadership differed in their opinion about whether India should weaponize nuclear capabilities. India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru maintained an ambivalent stance on the development of nuclear weapons, despite growing security concerns in wake of the 1962 India-China war, and Beijing's nuclear test at Lop Nur in 1964. Lal Bahadur Shastri, who succeeded Nehru as Prime Minister, also resisted domestic pressure for India to develop nuclear weapons, and instead attempted to secure security guarantees from nuclear powers during his 1964 UK visit. However, Indira Gandhi's stance on nuclear weapons are completely opposite to her predecessors, including her late father. After coming to power in 1966, Indira Gandhi essentially gave a green signal to BARC scientist to develop nuclear weapons capabilities, and ensured that the project was kept top secret, away from prying eyes of New Delhi's rivals, who could've attempted to sabotage the operation by any means possible. Ultimately, owning to Indira Gandhi's resolve, and the tireless hard work of our nuclear scientists, India conducted its first nuclear test on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in the remote Thar desert in Rajasthan.
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.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
India set new global benchmark in combating terrorism: V-P
Jaipur: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that India has set a new global benchmark by striking terrorism with precision while upholding the vision of peace. He emphasised that terrorism is no longer a concern of a single nation, but a threat to global security. 'For the first time, India carried out precise strikes on Jaish-e-Muhammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba hideouts across international borders, and the world did not demand proof. This was a clear demonstration of India's rising power and global standing.' Dhankhar noted that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India had not only achieved a military success but also a diplomatic victory. 'The decision to halt the Indus Water Treaty was historic. Until India's concerns are addressed, there will be no reconsideration. This bold move sent a strong message both domestically and internationally,' he said. Praising Rajasthan's rich legacy, the Vice President said, 'This is the land of Maharana Pratap and Maharaja Surajmal, guardians of our identity and freedom.' He also recalled India's demonstration of nuclear capability in Pokhran-II, stating, 'India first showcased its strength on this very soil in May, when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat led the nation.'
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NCERT head takes stock of science and technology in India while recalling Pokhran-II
India celebrates May 11 as National Technology Day in remembrance of the momentous occasion when we became a nuclear power state by conducting the Pokhran-II tests in 1998. This event not only conferred nuclear status on India but also celebrated the achievement of scientific advancement, indigenous innovation, and technological self-reliance. Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (at that time, he was Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister Office), this occasion was a reflection of India's determination to become a respected technological giant in the world. Yet this day has its importance beyond that one occasion. It is a time to sit back and ponder over the extent of India's legacy in science and technology, achievements made since then, and how India ventures towards a futuristic and self-reliant status for Viksit Bharat - 2047. Since ancient times, knowledge has thrived in this Bharat. Technological wisdom has been one of the significant cornerstones of India's cultural and cosmological life since the earliest times. Saraswati-Sindhu civilization is an example; it offered cities with excellent planning so that, even today, they appear as engineering marvels because of their superior water management and drainage systems. An ancient text like the Sushruta Samhita affirms the saga of advanced surgical and medical knowledge. Rishi Charaka, the physician par excellence of ancient times, laid the foundation of Ayurveda. India gave the concepts of zero and Algebra, Trigonometry, and accurate observations of planetary movements to the world, and these are credited to Aryabhatta, Bhaskara-II, and Varahamihira. The Iron Pillar in Delhi is a testimony to India's ancient metallurgical science knowledge system. This pillar has withstood the wrath of corrosion for more than 1600 years- and addresses the fact that ancient Indian scientists possessed very advanced skills in metallurgy. Making headlines globally In the 21st century, India has transformed into a global technological powerhouse in invention and scalable application of technology for social transformation. With the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world today, India has world-renowned IT hubs like Bengaluru. India has been in the limelight ever since its success in missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan in space technology. Digital India has transformed and revolutionized governance and public service delivery while incorporating millions through initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and several citizen-centric digital platforms. India is a global leader in digital public infrastructure, low-cost health innovations, renewable energy technologies, and artificial intelligence applications. With striking examples, it clearly demonstrates how digital transformation seamlessly becomes inclusive—bridging the rural-urban gap, empowering communities, and providing transparent governance. Make in India, Startup India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat schemes encouraged the creation of a more favourable environment for homegrown innovation and manufacturing capabilities across sectors. Technology providing learning materials Education remains a key component that can further technological advancement. The NCERT as an organisation devoted to school education has ensured continual change in innovative education. Therefore, since NCERT believes that technological literacy should begin from an early stage, it is actively involved in placing technology at the heart of learning-teaching and assessment, beginning from the foundational stage with the development and dissemination of an integrated mobile app, i.e. e-Jaadui Pitara which is designed to support parents and teachers of children in the age group 3-8. Initiatives for the promotion of digital literacy and computational thinking in school education and coding skills at all levels are being undertaken by the NCERT in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020. Digital platforms such as PM e-Vidya, DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement), ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society), PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), courses on SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active - Learning for Young Aspiring Minds), PRASHAST (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool), Bharat on the Moon portal, Rashtriya Vidya Samiksha Kendra, ePathshala etc. are set to provide high-quality interactive learning materials available to students and teachers across India. These platforms provide digital textbooks, audio-visual resources, and interactive modules in various languages suited to different types of learners. NCERT is now executing training of teachers under one of the largest digital platforms, i.e., the NISHTHA programme, to use digital tools effectively, practice blended learning strategies, and create tech-enabled teachers and inclusive classrooms. Currently, NCERT is also involved in running 200 school education DTH TV channels under PM eVIDYA to address curricular issues related to regional language and ensure equitable quality education for all across the nation. Meanwhile, a new ICT curriculum includes important areas such as digital safety, productivity tools, creativity, problem-solving, and emerging technologies. NCERT is planning to introduce coding and artificial intelligence in the new curriculum, which aims to enable today's children to not only consume technology but understand and learn to build with it and use it as well. Another major effort in using technology to promote foundational literacy and numeracy utilizes games, stories, and interactive content to develop appropriate competencies among children in the age group 3–8 years. These efforts aim to engage the children of India in interventions that will build their skills for a world with endless technological possibilities. Therefore, the underlying focus for India as Viksit Bharat by 2047 is to be not only a powerful hub for scientific infrastructure and tech parks but also a nation where innovation, critical thinking, creative thinking, and ethical digital citizenship are nurtured. Skill, scale and speed The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 is to make India a developed and technology-driven nation where digital reach is ubiquitous, green energy fuels the economy, AI undergirds governance and education, space missions break new frontiers of human knowledge, and innovation underpins national development. Its mission is to make India a world leader in next-generation technologies, including quantum computing, clean hydrogen, robotics, cyber safety security, and smart manufacturing. It fundamentally places humanity and its values as an instrument of technology into inclusion, empowerment, and sustainability. During the launch of the Digital India campaign in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once mentioned that skill, scale and speed together could be achieved if we use technology at the right time and with the right speed. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said, 'You have to dream before your dreams can come true.' This National Technology Day, India dreams of such a future where its technological journey would be inspired by wisdom, ignited by innovation, and rooted in individual equality. From ancient astronomers to AI engineers, from gurukuls to smart classrooms, from river valley hydraulic systems to lunar landers-India's story has always been about curiosity, courage, and capability. Let us remember this day for grace in the past and rededication to the way ahead. Every child should be able to explore technology with joy. Every teacher should become a digital mentor. Every citizen must take pride in being a citizen of a country that believes in science and technology as a way of shaping destinies. In India, technology is not merely an accomplishment; it is a legacy, a commitment, and a promise for future generations. (The writer is Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi)
