On National Technology Day, here is how PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indian scientists remembering Pokhran success

Remembering the scientists who build the nation, PM Narendra Modi, on Saturday has wished India on National Technology Day remembering the great achievement of Indian scientists on May 11, 1998 (Pokhran tests) highlighting the improved national security which is provided by science and technology.

On this day in 1998, India conducted the test explosion of nuclear devices called the Pokhran II Nuclear Tests.  Also on this same day, the Trishul missile was test fired successfully, and the Hansa-3, the first nationally built aircraft was test flown.

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He also remembered the role played by late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the success of the Pokhran tests, highlighting how strong political leadership and unwavering faith in scientists helped India to achieve scientific success.

TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee too has wished India on National technology day while stating that she unlike others will not misuse technology to create divisions among people.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu has also wished the nation claiming that the future is ours crediting the success to all the innovators.

Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar too took to Twitter highlighting the day's importance for iNdian scientific community

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu too has wished the nation tweeting the advancements in disruptive innovation done by Indian scientists.

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The first nuclear test Pokhran with a code name as ‘Smiling Buddha’ was carried out in May, 1974. The second test conducted was Pokhran II which was a series of five tests of nuclear bomb explosions, administered by India at the Pokhran Test Range of Indian Army in May, 1998. Pokhran II comprised of five detonations out of which the first one was a fusion bomb while the other four were fission bombs. These nuclear tests evolved various sanctions against India by many major states, including United States and Japan.

Pokran II or Operation Shakti was initiated on 11th of May, 1998 with the detonation of two fission bombs and one fusion bomb. Two additional fission bombs were detonated on 13th of May, 1998 and the Government of India run by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister shortly convened a press conference for the declaration of India as a full-fledged nuclear state.