Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), on May 10, 2024, organised various lectures and orations in its laboratories & establishments on the occasion of the National Technology Day, which is celebrated on May 11 every year. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat presided over a special function organised by Defence Science Forum (DSF) in New Delhi.
In his address, the DRDO Chairman appealed to the scientists to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation by providing cutting-edge technologies to make the country strong and self-reliant.
A total of 45 oration papers were received from various DRDO laboratories and establishments, out of which best three papers were selected for presentation. The DRDO Technology Day Spectrum was also released on the occasion. A monograph titled ‘Investigations on failures of defence hardware components: Fundamentals and case histories’ authored by former Scientist ‘G’, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory Dr KP Balan was unveiled. DRDO publications namely DRDO Newsletter (2024); Defence Science Journal (May 2024), and the Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC) Journal of Library science and information technology were also released. In addition, Commendation Certificates were given to DRDO scientists on the occasion. National Technology Day Orators were also felicitated.
Convener DSF and Director General (Life Sciences) Dr UK Singh, in his welcome address, brought out the importance of Artificial Intelligence in R&D and need of innovative leadership style, especially in the time when the government is planning reforms of DRDO. Mastermind behind the Vande Bharat Express Shri Sudhanshu Mani delivered his keynote address on ‘Leadership and innovations in large organisations: some takeaways from Vande Bharat/Train 18 Project’. Chief Technologist, Amazon Web Services Ms Shalini Kapoor addressed the audience on ‘Future trends in AI and Digital Transformations’.
National Technology Day is celebrated to remember the successful nuclear test conducted by India and to recognise & honour the significant contributions of scientists and engineers who have played a crucial role in the country’s technological progress. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of science and technology in nation-building.
