| Celebrated Every Year on 11th May |
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| Started Year | 1999 |
| Celebrated By | Ministry of Science & Technology |
| First Observed | 11th May 1999 |
| In Honour of | APJ Abdul Kalam, |
There was a time; to convey some message to someone it almost take more than 3 days even more than that depends on distance. There was no appropriate medium to convey messages. Birds are used for this purpose usually pigeons. Today, our lives are far more compactable and ease because everything we need will be at our fingertips only. Though we may take technology for granted but we need to remember that, what are all we using and having today is the culmination of hundreds of years of scientific trials and breakthrough. Inventions such as the internet and mobile phones have changed the world never before.
The human life in the 21st century has greatly refined due to advancements in medical technology and medicine. Although, less than 200 years ago, having a fever or even a small injury can become life-threatening very quickly. Vaccines or treatments for many diseases did not exist as well. On the industrial front, progress was slow and very time-consuming. Transportation was rather primitive and prohibitively expensive; ensuring that only the rich and famous persons could use it.
What is Technology?
Technology is all around us, from the smart phones and smart watches to solar-powered street lights and automated cars. So how to define technology? Are there any criteria that can be used to define the term “technology?” Can fire discovered by caveman thousands of years ago can be considered as technology?
Definition of Technology
Technology is born with the accomplishment of scientific progress and breakthroughs. However, the exact definition of technology varies according to context.
- Technology can be defined as the application of scientific knowledge to change and manipulate the human life.
- Technology can also be defined as the branch of knowledge that serves to the creation and use of technical means and their relationship with society and environment, using engineering, applied and pure science.
- The sum of ways in which social groups provide themselves with material objects of their civilization.
HISTORY
The term technology is derived from the ancient Greek words “techne” and “logos”, which translates to “art, craft” and “word, speech” respectively. This term was used for the first time in the 17th century, and it was denoted to mean “A discussion on applied arts”. However, with the industrial movement beginning in the 20th century, the term “technology” was used to represent a range of processes and techniques, in addition to machinery and tools. Over time, the term was used to associate scientific progress and breakthroughs in various disciplines.
| Dr A P J Abdul Kalam |
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| Born | 15th October 1931 |
| Birth Place | Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu |
| Died | 27th July 2015 |
| Full Name | Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam |
| Notable Works | Wings of Fire, India 2020, My spiritual experience with Pramukh Swamiji |
| Profession | Aerospace Engineer |
ABOUT
On behalf of the Ministry of Science & Technology, celebrates May 11th of every year as National Technology Day to remind the achievements, innovations and technological excellence in the nation.
The day has a historical perspective as it was on May 11, 1998, that India achieved a major technological breakthrough by successfully carrying out nuclear tests at Pokhran. Further, the first indigenous aircraft “Hansa-3” was test flown at Bangalore on this day and India also performed successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day. Since 1999, the day is being celebrated as National Technology Day.
Pokhran nuclear tests were a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range. On May 11, 1998, India successfully fired Operation Shakti missile at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan, the first among the five nuclear tests made in Pokhran.
The test was done by Aerospace engineer and late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Later, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a nuclear state, making it the sixth country to join the ‘nuclear club’ of nations. Hence since 1999, May 11th is celebrated as “National Technology Day”.
Technology is one of the greatest boon for mankind. However, it has the negative potential also to be misused. Technology can also replace some jobs to become obsolete, which leads to unemployment. Technology is like double edged sword. It has many benefits for mankind, also it has many drawbacks. But all it depends on the one who is using it. Moreover, current technology needs to focus on being more eco-friendly and minimize their carbon footprints. This is the only way to ensure that technology does not result in the destruction of our natural resources and eventually, our planet.
