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National Technology Day

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Context

  • Recently, the Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) celebrated National Technology Day (2024).

About

  • It is celebrated annually on 11th May, dedicated to honoring the relentless efforts of scientists, engineers, and innovators who work tirelessly to advance technology and simplify our lives.
  • The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awards, akin to the prestigious Padma awards, are announced annually on National Technology Day.
  • The theme for 2024: ‘Promoting Clean and Green Technologies for a Sustainable Future’.
 Brief History

–       The inception of National Technology Day dates back to May 11, 1998, when India successfully conducted Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests under the codename ‘Operation Shakti’.

–       The then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared May 11 as National Technology Day, and since then, the day has been celebrated annually to highlight India’s technological progress.

o   The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) played pivotal roles in advancing nuclear science within the country.

 Major Highlights of India’s Technological Progress Since 1998

  • Since 1998, India has continued steadily in its journey of technological development.
  • Among the visible examples of India’s impactful technological progress are the digital payment gateways that have democratized financial transactions like never before, and exemplify India’s leadership in the world in this area.
  • Other lesser-known milestones that have quietly been achieved are the making of Indigenous BioJet fuels, mapping of subsurface water channels for sustainable use of water, making of Indigenous light combat aircraft, development of a variety of crops by traditional methods of breeding, digitization of many aspects of trade, and moving firmly towards a Hydrogen economy.
  • Supercomputing in India began in the mid-1980s when access to the CRAY supercomputer was denied.
  • The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) launched PARAM 10,000 in 1998 which is capable of performing 100-gigaflop operations, demonstrating India’s capacity to build high-performance computing systems.
  • India is currently making progress in more advanced and sophisticated technologies such as neutrino, gravitational waves, scramjets, tokamak, and sending human missions into space.

Importance of Clean and Green Technologies

  • Clean and green technologies, often referred to as ‘Greentech’ or ‘clean technology’, are crucial for a sustainable future, offering innovative solutions that protect our environment while also providing economic and health benefits.
  • Mitigating Climate Change Impacts: These technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to global warming.
  • By utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, we can significantly cut down our reliance on fossil fuels, thereby reducing our carbon footprint.
  • Conserving Natural Resources: These ‘Greentech’ promote the efficient use of resources.
  • For instance, water-saving technologies can help conserve water, a precious resource that is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change and overuse.
  • Economic Growth: Green technologies can contribute to economic growth.
  • They can create new industries and jobs, stimulate innovation, and provide opportunities for investment and trade.

Major Hurdles

  • Funding Challenges: The level of investment in research and development in India is often insufficient to support cutting-edge scientific endeavors and technological innovations.
  • Educational Variability: Disparities in the quality of science and technology education across the country hinder the development of a skilled workforce.
  • Infrastructure Issues: Lack of adequate infrastructure can pose a significant challenge to technological progress.
  • Navigating Synthetic Media: In an era dominated by synthetic media, discerning authenticity in a landscape inundated with manipulated content is a significant challenge.
  • Technical Debt to Technical Wellness: The transition from managing technical debt to prioritizing technical wellness emerges as a guiding principle, fostering sustainable technology ecosystems that can adapt and thrive in the face of evolving challenges.

Major Steps Towards Clean and Green Technologies in India

  • National Electric Mobility Mission Plan and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) to promote electric mobility and manufacturing of electric & hybrid vehicles and their components, and to support the transport sector in adopting green technologies.
  • Green Hydrogen Mission which focuses on using green hydrogen as an energy source, and India’s journey towards a net-zero target by 2070.
  • Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Technologies involve the capture of CO2, generally from large point sources like power generation or industrial facilities that use either fossil fuels or biomass as fuel.
  • Other major initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Make in India program, Energy Transition and Energy Storage Projects, Renewable Energy Evacuation, Green Credit Program, PM-PRANAM and GOBARdhan Scheme, Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource Centres, MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar, Coastal Shipping, and Vehicle Replacement are focusing on various aspects of green technology, including waste management, heritage conservation, maritime transport, and vehicle replacement.