New Delhi, 11 May (H.S.): On the occasion of National Technology Day, Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that India’s national research institutes will play a decisive role in making the country a “global technology leader”. Speaking on Monday, he highlighted the transformative contributions of public‑sector scientific institutions and their potential to shape India’s future in cutting‑edge innovation.

In a video message posted on the social‑media platform X, Dr Singh said the ‘Vigyan–Tech’ (Science–Technology) programme will emerge as an ideal model for collaborative, future‑oriented research and innovation. He described the initiative as a showcase of how public research can drive widespread, real‑world change, moving beyond theoretical findings to tangible, positive impact.

The minister noted that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s global technological reputation has grown steadily over the years. He added that the country is rapidly establishing new benchmarks in science and technology, building on achievements ranging from decoding genetic codes to cutting‑edge space research, all of which are increasingly recognised at the world level.

Dr Singh stressed that technology has moved far beyond laboratory confines and now directly affects the lives of ordinary citizens. He cited examples such as robotic technologies in deep‑sea exploration, tsunami early‑warning systems and disaster‑management mechanisms, which are making India safer and more resilient to natural hazards.

Beyond infrastructure and defence, the minister pointed to rapid progress in areas like bio‑fortified crops, clean energy and biotechnology, which are improving food security, environmental sustainability and public health. He underlined that these innovations are central to India’s self‑reliance and long‑term development agenda.

The Union Minister explained that the ‘Vigyan‑Tech’ programme, organised by the Department of Biotechnology, is this year a major centrepiece of the National Technology Day celebrations. The event will bring together 14 ministries and departments, each displaying indigenous technologies developed in their respective research institutions on a single platform.

The programme will highlight lab‑to‑market success stories and demonstrate a robust innovation ecosystem supported by academia, industry and the government. According to Dr Singh, it is a concrete step towards making India not only a consumer of technology, but a creator and global driver of innovation.

On this occasion, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju observed that 11 May is a glorious day in India’s calendar, recalling the historic Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said those tests had established India as a confident and self‑reliant nation, embedding scientific strength at the core of national power.

Rijiju paid tribute to the country’s scientists, engineers and innovators, whose dedication continues to strengthen India’s technological resilience and self‑reliance. He asserted that the combined efforts of research institutions, policymakers and the scientific community are steadily positioning India as a leading force in global science and technology.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar