Dr Sudershan Kumar
Every year since 1998, the 11th of May is celebrated as the National technology day. On the dates of 11th and 13th May back in 1998, India had showcased it’s growing millitary might to the entire world by conducting the five nuclear tests under the assigned code name “Operation Shakti”. The “Operation Shakti” was the culmination of the tireless efforts of the Indian scientists and encompassed one fusion bomb and the rest four fission bombs.These are till date remembered as Pokharan-II successful explosions. Meanwhile, way back in 1974, on 18th May, India had conducted its first nuclear test at Pokhran test range, which was based on the principle of nuclear fission (commonly known as Pokhran-I) under the code name “Smiling Budha. Both these tests reciprocated the diligence and capabilities of our scientists. Furthermore, the impressive, extraordinary feat performed by Indian Scientists on 11th and 13th May 1998 not only baffled the whole world but also changed the dynamics of south Asia. But at the same time this also sent out a clear message to the world that India cannot be cowed down by any power and neither can it be subjugated. The fact that Indian scientist have the “Capacity, Capability, Competence, Commitment and Brilliance” to develop any technology was endorsed by these tests and any such technology which matters for the security and over all development of the country will be available for it. Consequent upon conducting these five tests, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had proudly declared that India had become the 6th country in the world to join nuclear club. These tests redefined India’s global position in terms of its self reliance in nuclear technology and also it’s impeccable non proliferation record. India emerged as the first country as simultaneously being not a part of None proliferation treaty (NPT) but also being able to develop equally complex nuclear technology at its own. Technology basically refers to methods, systems ,devices which emerge from the basic scientific knowledge used for various practical purposes. There fore “technological superiority is very much a critical component for nation ‘s security.In peace it acts as a deterrence, in crisis as an option and in war it provides clear edge over the adversary”.

Today is Technology day

There fore it seems and acknowledged fact that no foreign power will part with its latest and critical technology. Even if some business minded countries are willing to do it then is surely to be acquired at a very high cost. Of course all copy rights will be retained by the host country . In order to obtain superiority over each other, nations around the globe are striving hard to develop either their own technologies or to acquire these by using all means.Thus India is also not lagging behind in this race of development of indigenous technologies. .Indian scientists, technologists and engineers are leaving no stone unturned to achieve this mission of development of most advanced and critical technologies specially against the backdrop of the emerging new dimensions and changing paradigms of the security threats and also for the over all development of the country. Some of the major milestones achieved previously in the field of aeronautic and missile technology by India need to be reemphasized here. First, indigenously developed twin seater light Air craft Hansa -3 had a first maiden flight from city of Bangalore on 11th May in 1998.This light general purpose aviation air craft had utility in training pilots, aerial photography, surveillance etc. Also during the same time period DRDO had a successful trial of quick reaction surface to air missile Trishul. This missile was one of the unit of India’s Integrated guided missile program. These successes in May 1998 acted as the catalyst and inspired further advancements in the field of technology in all spheres. Hence the then Government at the Centre had declared 11th May as a national technology day. Furthermore to instill confidence and encouragement among the scientists, the technology development board (TDB) on the technology day (11 May) recognizes the contribution of scientists by felicitating them.
TDB also selects different themes every year to commemorate the occasion with lectures and exhibitions being organised across the country. In the year 2019 the national theme was “science and technology for sustainable future”.Similarly for the year 2020 the national theme for technology day is “women in science”. Besides, on this day, our scientists, engineers and technologists are also reminded of the need to introspect, to reach new heights. They need to brainstorm on various aspects like- What they have achieved ? What the nation expects from them? Evolving ways and means to full fill them.Even though numerous technologies have so far been developed by our country ‘s primer establishments in various fields of science but few especially in the areas of space and defence have been highlighted and many need to be mentioned. India’ s premier institute, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully accomplished 13 missions including six launch vehicles and seven satellite missions in the year 2019 itself. Notable among them were the RISAT-2B a radar imaging reconnaissance satellite, mission Chandrayaan -2. This Chandrayaan 2 consisted of the lunar orbiter and also included the Vikram lander and the Pragyan lunar rover. Even though the final landing of Vikram was not as desired but still the instruments of space crafts are fully functional and they are providing data regularly. More over Vikram was also located in an unbroken condition on the surface of moon. Besides, Cartosat-3 the third generation advanced satellite launched through (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) PSLV-C 47 has added another feather in ISRO’s cap. In addition ISRO established new gallery along with rocket space garden at Sri Hari Kota station.
This enabled nearly 5000 people to watch their space missions live.This certainly led to instilling and nurturing innovative ideas and interest among youth and the inquisitive brains of our country.Similarly in equipping armed forces with the latest critical technologies / systems, scientists working in 54 DRDO laboratories are leaving no stone unturned to carry out research and development in innovative and cutting edge technologies in various clusters of science.
Notable among them are successful trials of all weather subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay, submarine launched K-4 missile, Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher Pinaka with capacity to fire 74 rockets in 44sec and many others.It is worthy to mention here that last year on March 27th India demonstrated its might by successfully testing Anti satellite weapon under the operation code named Mission Shakti. Last but not the least, it would not be out of context to mention here that since December 2019, the entire world is passing through an unprecedented catastrophe cause by covid-19 pandemic. This covid-19 pandemic so far has affected nearly 3.5 million people around the globe resulting in nearly 2.5 lakh deaths but around eleven lakh people have also been recovered. But these numbers are changing rapidly. Moreover it has caused severe blow to world economy. India has also not been left untouched from this Covid-19 pandemic. But timely and proactive multi prong approach adopted under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government with active support of state and central agencies and with full cooperation of 1.34 billion people of India has so far been able to curtail this pandemic to a large extent.These measures include isolation ,social distancing , sanitizing, use of masks lock down and many others including recognizing the services of front line Covid-19 warriors. Parallelly all out efforts were made by DRDO and other premier agencies to develop innovative devices for front line warriors who are fighting
Covid-19 war. These include varieties of sanitizers, masks including N-95 and N-99, bio suits thermal imagers, ventilators Mobile Covid-19 testing labs ,multipurpose drones, special type of mobile App for tracking Covid-19 people and fast testing kits,individual protecting equipment and many others. Parellelly all out efforts have been made to up grade the required infrastructure including establishment of additional quarantine centre and authorization of private labs for rapid testing etc. Looking in to present scenario in the country and efforts made by front line corona warriors which include doctors, paramedical staff, policemen for maintaining lock down, agencies involved in providing essential service and many others involved in distribution of food and ration to the needy also deserve special tribute on this day along with scientists and engineers of the country.
(The author is former Director General and Special Secretary DRDO, MoD GoI)
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