3091) National Technology Day, Bharat/India: 25th Anniversary of Operation Shakti 1998-2023: India Government Mint, Mumbai (IGM) has issued a Quaternary Silver Coin (50% Silver and the remaining Metal Composition comprises 3 other metals): Date/Year of Coin issue:2023:
From early days, India has always advocated total nuclear disarmament.
However, the efforts were not leading to any success and evolving geopolitical situation led to demonstrating Peaceful Nuclear Explosion capability in 1974.
In 1998, the then government took a decision to demonstrate India’s nuclear deterrent capabilities by testing five different variants in May 1998.
The Department of Atomic Energy, in general, and BARC in particular have faced severe embargoes and technology denials.
The capabilities demonstrated in 1998 required obtaining expertise in variety of fields like physics simulation, development of complex processes for obtaining special materials, critical manufacturing capabilities, and developing reliable electronics systems etc.
These capabilities are available with very few countries in the world and such a development is not possible without technological advancements in variety of fields.
Apart from DAE, DRDO had also contributed significantly for success of the tests during 1998.
The development efforts of the country were recognised by the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee to mark the occasion as National Technology Day from 1999 onwards.
This is to recognise the contributions of Bharatiya/Indian scientists, engineers and technologists who worked for India’s scientific and technological advancement and successful conduct of Pokhran Test in May 1998.
Since then, National Technology Day is observed every year on May 11.
It is celebrated with a new and different theme every year.
The theme for the 25th National Technology Day:
Every year, the Technology Development Board (TDB) selects a theme for each year's event.
The theme of 25th National Technology Day celebrated on 11.05.2023 was “School to Startup – Igniting Young Minds to Innovate”.
Schools, colleges, and universities organise events, seminars, and workshops to inspire and motivate students to take an interest in science and technology.
National Technology Day is a reminder of the important role that technology plays in our lives, and the need for continued investment and innovation in this field to ensure progress and growth.
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY HISTORY:
- National Technology Day, celebrated on May 11 every year, was started by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 to honour Indian scientists, engineers, and technologists who have contributed to our country.
- This term was coined by former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to recognise the contributions of Indian scientists.
- On May 11, 1998, India successfully fired the Shakti-I nuclear missile at an Army test range in Rajasthan's Pokhran. In the following days, two more nuclear tests were conducted as part of the same operation, which brought India into the elite club of nuclear power nations.
- Apart from this, India also tested its first indigenous aircraft 'Hansa-3' on this day from Bengaluru.
- A successful test firing of the Trishul missile was conducted by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation on May 11, 1998, following the testing of Hansa-3.
QUOTES FOR NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY:
"Change is crucial. It brings new thought; new thought leads to innovative actions." - Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
"Thinking is the capital, Enterprise is the way, Hard Work is the solution" - Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
The Commemorative Coin:
The denominational value "100" (in international numerals is preceded by the Rupee Symbol “₹”.
The specifications of this Coin are:
Shape: Circular; Diameter: 44.00 mm; No. of Serrations: 200; Weight: 35.00 grams; Metal Composition: Quaternary Alloy: Silver - 50%, Copper - 40%, Nickel - 05%, Zinc - 5 %.
