National Technology Day 11 May: Every year, May 11 reverberates with the profound echoes of technological milestones. This resonant day, adopted by numerous governmental entities, scholastic institutions, and cutting-edge research facilities, celebrates the intellectual brilliance of Indian luminaries and their exceptional feats in scientific innovation.
India’s Technological Ascendance
India’s rise as a swift-developing global dynamo owes significantly to the strides made in technology. As we navigate the 21st century, the nation’s trailblazers – eminent scientists and engineers – have assumed the helm, guiding India towards an epoch of unparalleled expansion.
The last thirty years have been a testament to India’s extraordinary leaps in scientific exploration and technological innovation, amplifying its status on the global stage.
Genesis of the National Technology Day
This journey takes us back to the era of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Under his astute leadership, India executed an array of five nuclear tests, widely recognized as Pokhran-II, in May 1998. In the aftermath of this successful endeavor, this day was subsequently designated National Technology Day.
India had previously conducted its inaugural nuclear test in May 1974. By 1998, India had carved its identity as the world’s sixth nuclear entity. Even in the face of stringent sanctions imposed by the US government, India remained steadfast, undeterred, and carried out the tests.
Since then, May 11 has been earmarked as a day that honors the tireless efforts and significant contributions of scientists and engineers to the nation’s progress.
A Unique Theme for Each Celebration
Each year, National Technology Day is marked by a distinctive theme. For the 2023 observance, the theme chosen is “School to Startups-Igniting Young Minds to Innovate.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the National Technology Day 2023 at Pragati Maidan, on May 11, 2023, at 10:30 AM.
This event also signals the onset of the silver jubilee year of National Technology Day, which extends from May 11 to May 14, 2023.
The Indian Prime Minister’s Initiatives
This year, Prime Minister Modi will initiate and dedicate to the nation a myriad of projects symbolizing scientific advancement and technological progress, collectively valued at over Rs 5800 crore.
These groundbreaking projects include the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India) in Hingoli; the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jatni, Odisha; and the Platinum Jubilee Block of the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
Significance of National Technology Day
The National Technology Day stands as a beacon of India’s escalating proficiency in the sphere of science and technology, particularly in the realm of nuclear technology.
Moreover, it offers a golden opportunity to laud the scientists and engineers whose invaluable contributions have served as the cornerstones of the nation’s development.
