On May 11, India commemorates National Technology Day, which honours the nation’s technological advancements. This day commemorates the date when India’s technology industry accomplished several monumental feats, including joining the exclusive club of nuclear-armed nations, launching their first indigenous aircraft successfully, and conducting a successful Trishul missile test launch.
The background of National Technology Day
We can all concur that technological advances are among humanity’s greatest accomplishments. It has made our lives easier, more efficient, and more fruitful, for which we are eternally grateful.
The citizens of India expressed their gratitude by declaring May 11 National Technology Day in 1999, following their significant achievements in the field on the same date the year prior.
On 11 May 1998, three effective nuclear tests were conducted at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range as part of Operation Shakti. The execution of two additional nuclear tests on May 13 under the direction of the late President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam made India an official member of the exclusive society of nuclear power nations.
However, the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India accomplished much more. On the same day, they also conducted flawless tests of their first indigenous aircraft, Hansa-3, and the Trishul missile.
National Technology Day was first observed on May 11, 1999, after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the prime minister at the time, declared May 11 a day of significant accomplishment for the country. Since then, the Technology Development Board has honoured scientists and engineers whose technological innovations have contributed to India’s economic growth.
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5 FACTS ABOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel currently possess nuclear weapons, according to security experts.
The United States has not yet recovered 11 nuclear weapons that were lost in accidents, according to the Brookings Institution.
In the 21st century, nuclear weapons account for approximately 10% of the annual U.S. military expenditure, or $40 billion per year.
The United States provides its non-nuclear allies with a ‘nuclear umbrella’ or defence guarantee.
During the production of an average nuclear weapon, 2,000 tonnes of uranium mining waste, 4 tonnes of depleted uranium, and 50 cubic metres of ‘low-level’ refuse are produced.
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | May 11 | Thursday |
2024 | May 11 | Saturday |
2025 | May 11 | Sunday |
2026 | May 11 | Monday |
2027 | May 11 | Tuesday |