Context:-
People celebrate National Technology Day every year on May 11th.
An overview of the news
- On this day, various government organizations, institutes, schools and colleges organize events to honor the scientists of India and their achievements.
- India is one of the fastest growing developing countries in the world, and much of the credit goes to technological advancements.
- In the 21st century, scientists and engineers are leading the country on the path of development.
- India has made significant progress in science and research in the last three decades.
- India’s science and technology has improved the country’s position on global forums.
- For 2023, the theme is ‘School to Startups-Igniting Young Minds to innovate.
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Background of the day
- Under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted a series of five nuclear bomb tests at Pokhran in May 1998.
- After the success of Pokhran-II, the government declared May 11 as National Technology Day in 1998.
- In doing so, India became the sixth country to join the ‘nuclear club’.
- The test was led by the late APJ Abdul Kalam, an aerospace scientist who became the eleventh President of India.
- On the same day in 1998, India test-fired its first indigenous aircraft Hansa-3 which took off in Bengaluru.
- On that day, the surface-to-air missile Trishul was also successfully test fired.
- With many technological advancements in a single day, the Government of India announced the celebration of May 11 as National Technology Day.
- The first nuclear test was conducted in May 1974.
- The day was first officially celebrated on 11 May 1999.
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Significance of the day
- It reminds people of the scientific achievements of the country.
- It is a day to honour all those who have contributed to the advancement of science.
- It honours the hard work and efforts of all those who have contributed to the technological progress of our country.
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