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The exponential growth in technological capability of the country in vital areas of Defence, Atomic Energy and Space during the last decade has provided a strategic edge to the country and helped to boost its image, said Dr VK Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary Def R&D and DG DRDO while delivering the National Technology Day Oration at a function organised at Dr Bhagavantham Auditorium, Metcalfe House, Delhi. He recollected the contributions of scientists like Dr Homi Bhabha, Dr Satish Dhawan, Dr Vikram Sarabhai, and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to the nation, during his speech and said there is a lot to be learnt from their lives. “Events like the first nuclear explosion in 1974, the one in 1998, the launch of the first missile, roll-out of first Arjun tank or the first flight of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, they have had great impact on the technology map of the country. I am proud that the DRDO team has made tremendous contribution to all these achievements”, said Dr Saraswat. Emphasizing the need to develop green, sustainable technologies, he said that the aim of all technological progress had been to improve the quality of life and instil a sense of confidence in people. Earlier, technology was driving the way wars were fought but in future, security needs of the country will drive technology, he added, giving examples of emerging threats like cyber warfare and insurgency. Low Intensity Conflicts that involve dealing with our own brothers and sisters necessitate development of suitable technologies that are non-lethal. Speaking about future technology areas, he said that surveillance systems like mini, micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), intelligent systems like swarms of robots, etc were needed to be developed. There will be more and more convergence of bio, nano and information technologies, he added. While lauding the efforts of DRDO scientists and technologists for many recent successes like the successful flights of Interceptor Missile, Agni 4, Agni 5 and LCA Navy, he also charted out the future road map for the organisation. He said there are many emerging areas that need to be mastered such as hypersonic technology, stealth and anti stealth technologies, underwater communication technology, polymer electronics, quantum computing, robotics and allied technologies to develop unmanned fighting vehicles. The work on many of these technologies was already going on in DRDO. Talking about self-reliance, Dr Saraswat said “self-reliance means independence from controls”.

Earlier, three DRDO scientists gave presentations on specific DRDO achievements. Dr DK Dubey, Scientist F from Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior spoke on ‘Identification of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) and their Markers’. Dr S Sai Kumar, Sc F’, Defence Research and Development Laboratory’s spoke on Development of Machining Technologies for Composites and Ceramics. The third lecture by Ms V Sangamithra, Scientist F from Electronics Research and Development Laboratory, Bangalore, was on the challenges in developing the Weapon Locating Radar(WLR), a force multiplier in the battlefield. The WLR developed by DRDO is capable of locating with more than 95% accuracy, the enemy mortars, shells, rockets. These three scientists and orators from Delhi based DRDO laboratories received Commendation Certificates and Titanium Medals from the hands of Dr Saraswat who later released “DRDO Technology Spectrum, a compilation of Technology Day orations of 2011”.

National Technology Day signifies the glorious achievements of Indian science and technology and has been celebrated all over the country after the successful Pokhran II, Nuclear tests on 11 and 13 May 1998. DRDO has observed this day since 1999. The Technology Day function, organised by the Defence Science Forum, was attended by Chief Controllers, Directors from DRDO Headquarters and Directors, scientists of Delhi based laboratories. Earlier, welcoming the audience, Dr Anil K Maini, Outstanding Scientist, Director Laser Science and Technology Centre and Convenor, Defence Science Forum, stated that recent DRDO successes especially the maiden flight of Agni 5 have made every citizen proud.