Technology Day celebrated in IIT Delhi

On May11 1998, India achieved a major technological breakthrough by successfully carrying out series of nuclear tests at Pokhran. Also the first, indigenous aircraft "Hansa-3" was test flown from Bangalore on this day and India performed a successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day. Considering the technological advancements, the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared that May 11 be celebrated as National Technology Day every year. Technology Day is celebrated as a symbol of quest for scientific inquiry, technological creativity and the translation of that quest in the integration of Science, Society and Industry. This day is also celebrated to honour technological innovations and their successful commercialization which takes the fruits of research to reach to people at large.

There should be coherent synergy for sustainable growth: R Chidambaram National Technology Day was celebrated at IIT Delhi on Thursday by deliberating on the various technological interventions that had been mapped in the recent years to make the rural development in the country more robust and progressive. The theme of the celebration was "High-end technology for rural area". The programe was organized by Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Center for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi in coordination with Vijnana Bharti.

Delivering his key note lecture, Dr R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India gave a stimulating presentation on Developing Sustainability-Nuclear to Rural.
"Whenever we think of high end technology we think of IITs. The buzz word today is sustainable development India is a large country and our needs are vast. We want to have a knowledge driven India which is economically developed, scientifically advanced and also militarily stable. National Development and National Security are two sides of the same coin. Development without security is vulnerable, security without development is meaningless," he said.
Stressing on the need for 'coherent synergy' among all the efforts for sustainable growth Dr Chidambaram said: "We are talking of a technological superstructure but this cannot be built without the foundation of a basic structure."
While articulating the summary of the 1998 Nuclear Test Series, he said unlike most predictions, the May 1998 test did not hurt the Indian economy but in fact helped it.
Referring to the Rural Technology Action Group Dr Chidambaram said this was conceived for synergizing and catalyzing the mechanism to provide a higher level of science and technology intervention and support. He mentioned the various new technologies for rural development.
Emphasizing on the need for Re-Innovation in rural areas Dr Chidambaram said repetitive innovation starting from the core concept and ending in nearly the same product using local raw materials was the need of the hour.
Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav, the chief guest for the function said that the Technology Day had a historical and a glorious significance.
"I salute all the scientists of the country who have helped us establish a foothold on the global landscape. We have made a huge progress over the years but in several areas we are still lagging and much needs to be done. "
Highlighting the various schemes of his ministry which had imbibed new technologies, he said all these have reaped benefits to the rural populace. 'We must all work together to make our Prime Minister's dream for a new India by 2022, a reality."
Earlier welcoming the guests, Institute Director Prof Ramgopal Rao said that the topic -High End Technology For Rural India--- was very relevant in the current time. "Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is a step in this direction. IITs need to work more closely with the rural development agencies . We should also connect more with the different ministries."
Head CRDT, Prof.V.K.Vijay enlightened the audience on journey of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and the milestones it had attained. He said that CRDT is the oldest Centre Rural Development in IIT system and it has taken lead in promoting Rural Technologies in the country.
Shri Praveen from Vijnana Bharti informed the audience that his organization was promoting Science & Technology in the masses " There is a strong need of such entity to take Science & Technology to the people for addressing their problems. Dr Vivek Kumar proposed the vote of thanks and Dr Kavya Dashora coordinated the event.

Content Courtesy: IIT Delhi Website