Operation Pokhran 2

The famous Pokhran tests were carried out on this day and cemented India as a Nuclear power in the International arena.

Cover Image Caption

On 11 May 1998, the Technological Revolution in India began with its first nuclear test. In the presence of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, aerospace engineer and future-president APJ Abdul Kalam, India successfully tested Shakti I, a nuclear missile in the Indian Army. The PM proudly declared India as a Nuclear State and became the sixth country at the time to join the Nuclear Club.

This event is known to be Operation Shakti or Pokhran 2 because of its location. While the primary coverage was given to the testing of Missile Shakti I on that day, the Trishul missile and Hansa-3 were also part of Operation Pokhran 2 and are just as critical.

DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) announced the successful testing of the Trishul missile, a powerful short-range missile in service by the Indian Army and Air Force. The Hansa-3 was an indigenous multi-purpose aircraft with two seats also testing its first flight. With this event, India received worldwide acclaim in the field of science and technology. Now you can understand how important this day is for India.

I was born after this, so I don't have personal experience with this event, but those who felt it could tell you their feelings. I had this experience in the conversation of my uncle living in Rajasthan. Oh, those goosebumps! The sound of the test could not be explained in words. On that day, there was only one news on all channels - Pokhran, Pokhran, and Pokhran.

Every year this day is celebrated as a reminder of the technological progress of the country. The second objective is to praise and appreciate the contributions of scientists and engineers, who are engaged day and night to make us proud worldwide with their work. Agni I, Agni II and BrahMos, etc., are weapons in our arsenal but feathers in their cap. We can put a number on their progress but not their hard work. 

On May 11, the Technology development board organizes an award ceremony to highlight the achievement of our Engineers and Scientists. Last year on the same day, DRDO announced DRUVS (Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitizer) cabinet, a solution to sanitise gadgets, papers, and currency that help the country to fight against the Corona pandemic. All the Institutions, government organisations, private sector enterprises, engineers, and scientists are working with blood and sweat to reach the heights of success in every sector of development.