Vigyan Prasar on 11 of May 2019 celebrated National Technology Day by organizing a talk by The Honorable Chairman, DRDO, Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy on “Emergence of Indigenous Defence Technologies” at Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Auditorium, ITO, New Delhi. The talk was attended by dignitaries such as Shri Jayant Sahasrabuddhe National Organising Secretary, Vijnana Bharati, senior scientists, government officials and scientific advisors.
National Technology Day is celebrated as anniversary of Shakti, Pokhran atomic test was conducted on 11th May, 1998 at Pokhran, Rajasthan, making India the 6th nuclear state of the world and the first country that was not party to the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. The tests were operated under the supervision of late President of India and aerospace engineer Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The day highlights the importance of science in our daily lives and persuades the students to opt science as their career. Every year, on 11th May, the Technology Development Board of India awards various innovators for their contribution to indigenous technology with national awards. The day is celebrated as a mark of quest for technological creativity, scientific inquiry, and adaptation and integration of such technology in our society, industry and education. The function was held at auditorium, Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in New Delhi in line with the theme for the year – “Emergence of Indigenous Defence Technologies”.
During the occasion Dr Nakul Parasar Director Vigyan Prasar said that he was happy to celebrate the day in collaboration with Vijyan Bharti or Vibha.
Shri Jayant Sahastrabuddhe National Organizing Secretary Vijyan Bharti said that our main focus should be to make India self-reliant in all aspect and specially in the area of security. He added that this will help India gain a different image of respect on international platform.
Dr Shekhar Mande DG CSIR said that on the same Technology day DRDO had test fired Trishul many years back. On 11th May 1998 the nation was gifted by three different kinds of technologies by the scientists and researchers of the nation.
Dr Satheesh Reddy Chairman DRDO gave his lecture on Emergence of Indigenous Defence Technologies. He added that industry in the nation can survive with large production link up. Knowledge creation in this sector is also required and each and every aspect constituting it should also be worked out. He also showcased in his presentation how India is working on producing all arms and ammunitions in the nation. The special attraction of which was a series of Akash Missile.
Indigenous innovation is now considered as necessity and much crucial for any developing nation like India to achieve cumulative economic and social growth. Such innovation includes the suitable modifications in the existing products in order make their market transition and wide public usage possible. Looking at the India’s geopolitical status, it has become a must for Indian scientists and innovators to make big strides in manufacturing of wide variety of weapons platforms ranging from ships to aircraft and anti-ship missiles, anti-satellite weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles etc. With emergence of global military powers like USA and China, it has become important for India to develop extensive defence R&D and production systems. To meet such challenges, Indian defence technologies needs to be modernized by achieving the state-of-the-art platforms and additional modernized equipment’s.
By‑Alpana Saha
