National Technology Day | 12 May 2021

Why in News

India observes its National Technology Day on 11^th May every year.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • The day, which was first observed on 11^th May, 1999, aims to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of Indian scientists, engineers.
    
    • The day was named by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • Every year, the Technology Development Board of India celebrates the day by awarding individuals with the National Award for their contribution to science and technology in India.
    
    • Technology Development Board is a statutory body of Government of India functioning under the Department of Science of Technology.
    • It provides financial assistance to Indian industrial concerns and other agencies, for commercialization of indigenized technologies or adaptation of imported technologies for wider domestic applications.
• 2021 Theme:
  
  • Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future.
• Significance:
  
  • It is the day India successfully tested nuclear bombs in Pokhran on 11^th May, 1998.
    
    • India successfully test-fired its Shakti-1 nuclear missile in an operation called Pokhran-II, also codenamed as Operation Shakti which was led by late president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
    • The nuclear missile was tested at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This was the second test which was conducted after Pokhran-I codenamed Operation Smiling Buddha, in May 1974.
  • On the same day, India performed a successful test firing of the Trishul Missile (surface to air short range missile) and had test flown the first indigenous aircraft – ‘Hansa – 3’.

Source:PIB