New Delhi, May 11 (Hindustan Times). Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that for India, technology is a tool to add momentum to the country’s development path. He said that technology plays a big role in ensuring social justice and removing inequalities in the society.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the program organized on the occasion of National Technology Day 2023 at Pragati Maidan today. The event also marks the beginning of the 25th year celebration of National Technology Day to be held from May 11 to 14. On this occasion, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of several projects worth more than Rs 5800 crore related to scientific and technological progress in the country and dedicated them to the nation.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that May 11 is one of the most iconic days in the history of India. The Prime Minister described the 25th anniversary of the nuclear test at Pokhran as one of the proudest days in Indian history. He said that on this day India successfully conducted the Pokhran nuclear test under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which demonstrated India’s prowess in science and technology. He said that through the Pokhran nuclear test, India not only proved its scientific prowess but also gave a new height to India’s global stature.
The Prime Minister said that at this point of time we are in the initial months of the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence. We have got a specific target for 2047, we need to make our country developed and self-reliant. Whether it is the country’s economic growth or sustainable development goals or creating an inclusive ecosystem for innovation, technology is key at every step. That’s why today India is moving forward in this field with a new thinking, with a 360 degree holistic approach.
Modi said that there was a time when technology was beyond the reach of the common Indian, but India’s UPI has become the new normal today because of its simplicity. Today, from street vendors to rickshaw pullers, they are using digital payment. He said that India does not consider technology as a medium to establish its dominance, but a means to accelerate the progress of the country.
He said that when we move ahead by understanding and recognizing the social context of technology, technology becomes a great medium of empowerment. He said that technology plays a big role in ensuring social justice and removing inequalities in the society.
The Prime Minister said that in the last 9 years a strong foundation has been laid in the country to inspire the young minds of India towards innovation. Atal Tinkering Labs, started a few years ago, is today becoming the innovation nursery of the country. He said that the Startup India campaign that we started, the Digital India campaign that was launched, the National Education Policy that was formulated, have also given a new height to India’s success in the technical field. In 2014, there were around 100 startups in the country, while today the number is around 1 lakh.
He said that there was a time when carrying debit and credit cards in pocket used to be a status symbol, but today the time has come when UPI has become the new normal in India because of its simplicity. Today, be it Gem Trinity, Covin Portal, e-NAM or digital market for farmers, our government used technology as an inclusion agent. He said that 10 years ago around 4,000 patents were registered annually, now it is more than 30,000.
During the event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated an expo showcasing the scientific and technological advancements made in India in the recent past. He also released a commemorative postage stamp and coin on the occasion.
