National
Prime Minister inaugurates programme marking National Technology Day 2023
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the programme marking National Technology Day 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on May 11, 2023.
- The programme also marked the commencement of the celebration of the 25th year of National Technology Day, held from the 11th-14th May.
- The programme and celebrations marking National Technology Day 2023 have a special focus on Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
On this momentous occasion, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projects related to scientific and technological advancement in the country worth more than Rs 5,800 crore.
Key scientific projects:
» The projects whose foundation stone was laid include Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India), Hingoli; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni, Odisha; and Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
LIGO-India:
LIGO-India, to be developed in Hingoli, Maharashtra, will be one of the handful Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave observatories in the world. It is an extremely sensitive interferometer of 4 km arm length capable of sensing gravitational waves generated during the merger of massive astrophysical objects such as black holes, and neutron stars. The LIGO-India will work in synchronization with two observatories operating in the United States; one in Hanford, Washington and the other in Livingston, Louisiana.
» The projects dedicated to Nation include Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility, Mumbai; Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant, Visakhapatnam; National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility, Navi Mumbai; Radiological Research Unit, Navi Mumbai; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam; and Women & Children Cancer Hospital Building, Navi Mumbai.
Rare Earth Permanent Magnets:
Rare Earth Permanent Magnets are produced primarily in developed countries. The facility for the production of the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet has been developed on the campus of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Visakhapatnam. The facility has been established based on indigenous technology and using indigenous Rare Earth material extracted from indigenous resources. With this facility, India will join a select group of nations with the capacity to produce Rare Earth Permanent Magnets.
National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility:
The National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility of Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai is a state-of-the-art facility which works to undertake highly precise delivery of radiation to the tumor with minimal dose to the surrounding normal structures. The precise delivery of dose to target tissue reduces the early and delayed side effects of radiation therapy.
Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility:
Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility is located on the Trombay Campus of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Molybdenum-99 is the parent of Technetium-99m, which is used in more than 85% of imaging procedures for the early detection of cancer, heart disease etc. The facility is expected to enable about 9 to 10 lakh patient scans per year.
» During the programme, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Expo showcasing scientific & technological advancements made in India in the recent past and also took a walk-through.
» He also released a commemorative stamp and coin (Rs 100) on the occasion.
International
2nd G20 Development Working Group Meeting
⇒ The 2nd meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) was held from April 6 – 9, 2023, against the backdrop of the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom in the district of Kottayam, Kerala.
- Over 80 delegates from G20 Members, 9 invitee countries, and various international and regional organizations attended the meeting.
Day 1:
The first day of the 2nd G20 Development Working Group (DWG) meeting under the G20 Sherpa Track kick-started with a side event covering the issues of Data for Development (D4D), Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), and green transitions that are globally just, which are the key priority areas for India’s G20 Presidency.
» The first part of the side event was held on the theme “Accelerating Progress on SDGs with Data for Development (D4D)”.
- The first session on ‘Human-centric approaches to D4D’ saw lively discussions on ensuring that D4D is inclusive, transparent, consent-based, integral, and accountable.
- The second session on ‘Need for Capacity Building for D4D’ highlighted the gaps in capacity building in D4D and the role of governments, civil society, and the private sector in D4D capacity building.
» The second part of the event was titled ‘Towards a Sustainable Future: Through Lifestyle for Environment and Just Green Transitions’.
» The event had two Panel discussions on the themes of – ‘LiFE: An Engine for Growth’ and ‘Just green transitions: A Comprehensive, Integrated Approach.
Day 2:
Day 2 of the 2nd Meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) witnessed detailed discussions on the priority areas identified by the Indian G20 Presidency.
» The first session on Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) highlighted how to bridge development and environment agenda through Lifestyle for Environment, financing provisions for the greening of the economy, and the impact of LiFE-aligned measures at the global level.
» In the following sessions, the delegates deliberated on how to strengthen G20’s commitment to achieving the SDGs by recognizing the needs of developing countries and contemporary challenges and how to address those through collaborative and collective G20 actions.
» Pushing forward for women-led growth at G20 India, the meeting witnessed discussions aimed at pushing women towards actively driving development efforts. The session focused on enhancing collaboration & knowledge for women to achieve their full potential in every aspect of life.
» The Meeting also discussed the need for collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, with a primary goal of overall sustainable growth. Delegates addressed the need for an environment that can promote green transitions that are globally just.
Agenda for Day 2:
- Transformative Transitions
- Data for Development
- Women-led Development
- Just Green Transitions
Day 3:
The critical discussions planned for Day 3 were:
- LiFE: High-Level Principles
- Accelerating progress on SDGs: High-Level principles
- Coordination and Partnerships
- During the 2nd DWG meeting, a key session was dedicated to promoting the LiFE initiative and developing a roadmap for G20 nations to adopt the recommendations in the fight against climate change.
- As part of India’s G20 Presidency, there’s a strong emphasis on accelerating progress toward achieving the SDGs while promoting sustainable growth & inclusivity. The 2nd DWG Meeting facilitates meaningful discussions to advance global efforts towards these goals.
» Further, discussions on the collective efforts needed for G20 to collaborate and strengthen international partnerships for addressing the impacts of global crises and achieving the SDGs were also held.
Day 4:
The 2nd Meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) concluded successfully on April 9, 2023.
Day 4 of the Meeting focused on discussions for the Developmental Ministerial Meeting Communique. By working together towards a common goal, G20 India demonstrated its commitment to global cooperation and its ability to tackle complex challenges through collective action.
- The agenda for the DWG meeting included discussions on G20’s role in accelerating progress on the SDGs, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), Digital Principles and Capacity Building for data for development, green transitions that are globally just, women-led development and enhancing international coordination and partnerships.
G20 countries discussed various development priorities over the 4 days of the 2nd DWG meeting. The meeting successfully concluded with the final session on identifying the way forward and drawing conclusions.
Important Day
National Technology Day 2023
⇒ National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11 May in India to commemorate the technological advancements of the country.
- National Technology Day highlights the achievements of tech giants, researchers, and engineers in technology in our country.
Theme:
The theme of National Technology Day 2023 was ‘School to Startups- Igniting Young Minds to Innovate’.
- In which students from schools across India engaged with Atal Tinkering Labs (under Atal Innovation Mission of Government of India) participated. Atal Tinkering Labs, a pathbreaking initiative undertaken in 2016 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create and promote innovation StartUps and entrepreneurship via intervention at the level of school and teaching institution, in a bid to ignite the young minds.
History:
- On May 11, 1998, India successfully conducted the Nuclear Missile Test at the Indian Army’s Pokhran range. It was on this day in 1998, India had the prideful accomplishments of ‘Operation Shakti’ and ‘Hansa 3 Test flown’. After this monumental accomplishment, former Prime Minister, Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a Nuclear Power.
- Since then, May 11 has been observed as the National Technology Day, to commemorate the achievements of scientists, researchers, engineers and all others involved in the field of science and technology.
- The first National Technology Day was celebrated on 11 May 1999.
- The celebration of Technology Day symbolizes India’s quest for scientific inquiry, technological creativity & innovations, and the integration of these developments into national socioeconomic benefits and global presence.