New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of National Technology day today, remembered the scientists behind the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests for their “exceptional achievement” and the “remarkable leadership” of the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee which made India a nuclear power.
May 11 marks the anniversary of Pokhran Nuclear Tests (Operation Shakti) of 1998, which gave the country the status of a nuclear-powered state.
On this day in 1998, India successfully conducted the first of its five nuclear tests at Pokhran, Rajasthan. The tests were conducted under the leadership of Vajpayee.
PM Modi took to Twitter on Pokhran II anniversary and wrote: “On National Technology Day, our nation salutes all those who are leveraging technology to bring a positive difference in the lives of others. We remember the exceptional achievement of our scientists on this day in 1998. It was a landmark moment in India’s history.”
On National Technology Day, our nation salutes all those who are leveraging technology to bring a positive difference in the lives of others. We remember the exceptional achievement of our scientists on this day in 1998. It was a landmark moment in India’s history.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2020
“The tests in Pokhran in 1998 also showed the difference a strong political leadership can make,” PM said in another tweet while remembering the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He also posted a video from one of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ sessions in which he spoke about Pokhran, Indian scientists and Atal Bihari’s leadership.
The tests in Pokhran in 1998 also showed the difference a strong political leadership can make.
Here is what I had said about Pokhran, India’s scientists and Atal Ji’s remarkable leadership during one of the #MannKiBaat programmes. pic.twitter.com/UuJR1tLtrL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2020
The Prime Minister also lauded those at the forefront of research and innovation, using technology against Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today, technology is helping many in the efforts to make the world free from COVID-19. I salute all those at the forefront of research and innovation on ways to defeat Coronavirus. May we keep harnessing technology in order to create a healthier and better planet,” he said in a series of tweets.
Today, technology is helping many in the efforts to make the world free from COVID-19. I salute all those at the forefront of research and innovation on ways to defeat Coronavirus. May we keep harnessing technology in order to create a healthier and better planet.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2020
The day also marks the flight of Hansa-3, India’s first indigenous aircraft, which was flown in Bengaluru when the nuclear tests were being organised in Rajasthan.
Hansa-3 was India’s first indigenously built aircraft and showcased the might of the engineers who built this personal 2-seater flying plane.
Every year on this day, the Technology Development Board organizes events on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The day represents the technological development that India has achieved in the fields of science and technology.
