National Technology Day 2021: Theme, history, significance and quotes

The theme of the National Technology Day 2021 theme is “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”. The day acts as a reminder of the country’s technological advancements. Check here all you need to know.

Source: IndiaToday

This day is celebrated every year on May 11 to highlight the achievements of engineers and scientists in the field of technology and science. The day acts as a reminder of the country’s technological advancements. It was first observed on May 11, 1999, and aims to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of Indian scientists and engineers.

This Day holds great importance because on this particular day in 1998, India achieved multiple notable technological progressions. Every year since 1999, the Technology Development Board (TDB) commemorates the day by honouring technological innovations that have added to the national growth.

National Technology Day 2021: Theme

Every year, the Technology Development Board (TDB) selects a theme for each year’s event, this year the theme of the National Technology Day 2021 theme is “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”.

National Technology Day: History

Former Indian PM Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee coined this term to celebrate the contributions made by Indian scientists. May 11 is also the day when India conducted its first successful test in Pokhran.

On May 11, 1998, India successfully fired the Shakti-I nuclear missile at an Army test range in Rajasthan’s Pokhran.

Why India marks technology day on May 11

• India observes National Technology Day on May 11 to mark the anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998.
• Pokhran nuclear tests were a series of five explosions conducted by India at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range. 
• Former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, lovingly known as India’s ‘Missile Man’ spearheaded the Pokhran tests.
• The then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state, making it the sixth country to join the elite ‘nuclear club’.
• The five nuclear tests were codenamed Operation Shakti and the whole operation is also known as Pokhran II. 

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