National Technology Day is observed each year on May 11 to commemorate the contributions of individuals in the field of Science and Technology.
National Technology Day is celebrated in India on May 11. The day marks the anniversary of Pokhran nuclear tests conducted in 1998 which signifies India’s technological advancements in this space.
National Technology Day in India History
Pokhran nuclear tests were conducted as a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions by India at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range. India successfully fired Operation Shakti missile on May 11, 1998, at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan, the first among the five nuclear tests in Pokhran.
National Technology Day in India Significance
With the successful conducting of 5 nuclear tests, India officially declared itself as a full-fledged nuclear state. These 5 nuclear tests were codenamed as ‘Operation Shakti’. However, the whole operation is also known as Pokhran-II. These 5 nuclear tests were carried out by the Indian Army in collaboration with scientists of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER). Pokhran-II nuclear tests helped India achieve the capability to build thermonuclear weapons and fission bombs.
National Technology Day in India & role of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Pokhran Nuclear Tests were led by late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who was an aerospace engineer too.
Soon after these tests, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state, which made India the sixth country to join the ‘nuclear club’ of nations.
To commemorate the historic development, May 11 is celebrated as “National Technology Day” since 1999.
