The National Technology Day is observed in India on May 11.On the same day in 1998, India had carried out nuclear test. The day is marked as a tribute to India’s technological prowess in developing and conducting successful test.

The test was carried out at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. It was led by aerospace engineer and late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.It was known as Pokhran-II,Operation Shakti initiative.

On 11 May 1998, three of Shakti-I range of nuclear missiles were fired. Following this, two days later, two more nuclear devices were test fired. On the same day,then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state. This made India the sixth country to join the ‘nuclear club’.

Before this, Pokhran-I nuclear test was carried out in 1974, in which the ‘Smiling Buddha’ missile  was test fired.

On Pokhran-II on 11 May 1998, apart from being world’s sixth nuclear state, India also  test flown the Hansa-3, country’s first indigenous aircraft, in Bengaluru, at the same time the nuclear tests were  underway in Rajasthan. It was  developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL),  the Hansa-3 was a two-seater  plane used in flying institutes for pilot training, aerial photography, surveillance, sports, as well as environment-related projects.

India also completed the final test-fire of the Trishul missile on May 11, 1998, which was made by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Following this, it was inducted into service by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

Due all above breakthrough developments on 11 May 1998, by the country’s scientists, engineers, and technicians, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared May 11 as the National Technology Day.

Since 1999, every year, the Technology Development Board (TDB) observes this day by honouring technological achievements which have  impacted positively on country.Technology Development Board also provides a theme for each year’s observance.

National Technology Day theme for  the 2017  is ‘Technology for inclusive and sustainable growth’.

National Technology Day is celebrated as a symbol of India’s quest for scientific pursuit and technological advancement. Further, the TDB confer National Awards to the deserving individuals, institutions, and businesses of the given year. The ceremony witnesses participation from various concerned departments including Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Department of Bio-Technology. The awards are distributed by the India’s President in New Delhi.

 Further, different state governments go ahead with  events to observe the day  including research organisations,  academic institutions, and several NGOs joining hands to create  awareness  regarding the latest technological  achievements in India.

Let’s all pay our tribute to India’s brilliant scientists, engineers , technicians and everyone striving for scientific development on this National Technology Day.