National Technology Day observed on May 11

NI Wire

New Delhi

Mon, 12 May 2008: 

On May 11, India celebrates the National Technology Day with an aim to create awareness about the need of technological advancement for steady progress and to present India as an emerging technological power. The day signifies the glorious achievements of Indian science and technology and has been celebrated all ovethe country after the successful Pokhran II Nuclear Test on the very same day in 1998.

Nuclear test was an attempt of India to strengthen its national security by joining the nuclear club, but moreover a determination to move ahead with technology for socio-economic upliftment with the application of science.

Since 1999, the day is being celebrated by various scientific, industrial organisation and educational institutions.

On Sunday, an event was organised in New Delhi in coordination with Ministry of Science & Technology. To mark the occasion the former President of India and eminent scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam poised as the chief guest along with the Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Kapil Sibal.

This year, Dr. Swati Piramal of the Nicholas Piramal delivered the Technology Day Lecture and after that several products were released by the Chief Guest following an award distribution function.

Technology Day 2008- National Awards was instituted by the Technology Development Board (TDB), National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) under DST, and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) were presented on this occasion by the Chief Guest.

The award was presented in two categories: First one to industrial concern and the second one to the developer/provider of such technology, which has productively commercialised the indigenous technology. Each one carries a cash award of Rs.10.00 lakhs along with a trophy. Further, the Technology Development Board (TDB) has introduced cash award of Rs. 2.00 lakhs to be given to two SSI units which have successfully commercialised a technology based product.

This year the National Award for the successful commercialization of indigenous technology has gone to Hyderabad based Natco Pharma Limited for developing and commercializing five innovative and cost-effective, anti-cancer drugs. Under the Brand Name GEFTINAT for Non - Small Cell Lung Cancer, LETRONAT for Breast Cancer, NATFOST for Radiation Protection, ZOLDONAT for Bone Metastasis and BORTENAT for multiple myeloma, the medicines was made available to common man at a very cheaper rate compared to the imported brands.

Also the Prime Telesystems Limited, Delhi awarded with the same for developing and commercializing the HDVSL (High Definition Video over Subscriber Line) standard and supporting technology stack for the delivery of interactive video over legacy and emerging cable, telephony and internet networks. The stack eliminates the requirement of a personal computer or set top box in the house through high end virtualization and facilitates Computer Telephone Integration (CTI).

Furthermore the National Award for Technology Business Incubator was awarded to organisations in the area of promotion of techno-entrepreneurship. In today’s function National Award for Technology Incubator for the year 2007 was conferred jointly to ICICI Knowledge Park, Hyderabad and Techno Park Trivendrum. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1.00 lakh and a trophy. This year’s award is being conferred to the Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi.