On May 11 2020, India celebrated National Technology Day to commemorate the success of the Shakti-I nuclear missile tested in Indian Army’s Pokhran test range, Rajasthan on May 11, 1998, and also to commemorate the flight of the first indigenous aircraft Hansa-3 developed by the National aerospace laboratories. This day has been named by the former Prime Minister AtalBihariBajpayee and celebrated since 1999. This year’s focus is “Rebooting the economy through science and technology.
Key Points:
i.The first nuclear missile test Pokhran-I was conducted under the codename operation Smiling Buddha in May 1974 and followed by the Shakti-I nuclear missile operation called as Pokhran-II codenamed Operation Shakti. These operations are headed by late President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,
ii.The day is celebrated to recognise the major groundbreaking achievements and important contributions of the scientist and engineers in the science and technology field.
iii.The Technology Development Board of India awards individuals with National Award for their contribution in Science and Technology.
iv.The Technologies including, medical technologies, advances technologies and manufacturing that prepare India for the post-COVID-19 period.
v.The last test-fire of the Trishul missile by the Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO) introduced by the Air Force and Indian Army on this day in 1998
About DRDO:
Chairman– G. Satheesh Reddy
Formed in– 1958
Headquarters– New Delhi
