National Technology Day Celebrated With Young Minds In Assam To Commemorate 25 Years Of Pokhran Testing

The Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur celebrated the 25th year of National Technology Day on May 12 this year.

Guwahati: The National Technology Day (NTD), is celebrated on May 11 every year, to commemorate the successful testing of nuclear weapons in Pokhran, in the year 1998. The theme of the NTD this year was ‘School to startups-igniting young minds to innovate.’ The Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tezpur however celebrated the 25^th year of NTD with great enthusiasm and fervor on May 12.

During the inaugural session, the senior Army officers encouraged the students to be motivated and inspired in the field of science and technology for newer innovations.

Photo Source: Indian Army

This was followed by an oration by Tezpur Dr. Ankit, a scientist of the DRL, who described the bio-fortification of pearl millet through alternate sulfur feeding strategies.

To commemorate the occasion, science model and quiz competitions were organised among the school students of the Sonitpur district of Assam.

The students were briefed about the activities of the DRDO and DRL by the scientists of the laboratory. 

 

Photo Source: Indian Army

The chief guest also addressed the august gathering and motivated the students to take a keen interest in science and technology to pursue careers in Research and Development.

In the end, prizes were distributed among the winners of the competitions.

 

Photo Source: Indian Army

National Technology Day Commemorates Pokhran-II Tests

The Pokhran-II tests were a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range in May 1998.

It was the second instance of nuclear testing conducted by India; the first test, code-named Smiling Buddha, was conducted in May 1974.

The tests achieved their main objective of giving India the capability to build fission and thermonuclear weapons with yields of up to 200 kilotons.

The Indian government has officially declared 11 May as National Technology Day in India to commemorate the first of the five nuclear tests that were carried out on 11 May 1998.