One of the fields India saw a major growth and development after its independence is science and technology. With various advancements in the sector, India has climbed its way up in the list of countries that are potential superpowers in the coming future. India celebrates National Technology Day on May 11 as it was on this day in 1998 the country successfully conducted the famous Pokhran nuclear tests.
One of the most defining milestones in the timeline of India’s journey in scientific and technological advancement is the successful nuclear tests done in 1998 in the Pokhran region of Rajasthan. India’s then prime minister, Atal Vihari Bajpai led the mission of making India an independent nuclear power. Known as Pokhran-II, the nuclear tests were conducted on May 11, 1998.
There was a dedicated team of scientists, researchers and engineers that had to work on the mission with other nuclear powers rejecting India’s entry. The mission was a secret as India did not want to attract international attention and criticism.
The nuclear tests in Pokhran were conducted at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range. A series of five explosions were carried out in order to do a successful test. The ‘missile man’ of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the guiding star of the Pokhran tests. After completing the successful test, India’s then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state. The mission was codenamed Operation Shakti and was carried out in disguise as the other five existing members of the ‘nuclear club’ opposed its propagation.
The success of the mission is considered a really big milestone in India’s journey because the technology being used in the country over two decades ago was not fully equipped to undertake the mission. Under the circumstances that were there during the Pokhran nuclear tests, its success had set the bar very high. With a vision to reach the same level and greater heights of success in the upcoming technological and scientific operations of any kind in the future, India observes National Technology Day on May 11.
Courtesy : News18.com