On the occasion of the National Technology Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 'strong leadership' for the 1998 nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, as an 'exceptional achievement' and a 'landmark moment in the history of India.' The PM also lauded the efforts of the community of researchers who use technology to improve the quality of life and using the same to free the world from COVID-19. 

India successfully conducted its first of five nuclear tests on this day in 1998, under then PM Vajpayee.

"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," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1259669775375949825

The Prime Minister also saluted all those currently involved in research to defeat COVID-19 in yet another tweet. 

"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 tweeted.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1259670710869348352

In another tweet, the Prime Minister said the Pokhran nuclear tests, carried out 22 years ago, have demonstrated that strong political leadership can make a difference. 

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1259670302042189825

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY

The day has a historical perspective as it was on May 11, 1998, when India, under the leadership of Vajpayee, achieved a major technological breakthrough through successfully carrying out nuclear tests at Pokhran. 

National Technology Day is observed as a reminder of the anniversary of Pokhran-II tests on May 11 each year.

In May 1998, India carried out a series of five nuclear explosions, at the Pokhran Test Range of the Indian Army in Rajasthan.

The operation, codenamed Operation Shakti, was carried out under the direction of Vajpayee. India unleashed a fusion bomb and two nuclear fission bombs on May 11. Two further fission bombs were detonated on May 13.

Subsequently, Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state, and it became the sixth country to join the nuclear club. Thus this day has been celebrated since 1999 as National Technology Day.