7. Science and Technology

India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, possessed a strong desire to nurture a scientific temper within the country to bring about the nation's rapid progress. With this perspective, he established the Indian Atomic Energy Commission on 10th August 1948. The core objectives behind setting up this commission were to harness and produce electricity from atomic energy, increase the yield of food grains while making them last longer, establish the necessary domestic technology for achieving these goals, and to develop nanotechnology. [cite: 7]

India decided to conduct nuclear tests to ensure self-sufficiency and to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions played a major role; India needed to respond to China's growing nuclear capabilities and Pakistan's desperate efforts to acquire nuclear weapons with China's assistance. Consequently, to secure its borders and prove its nuclear preparedness, India carried out its first successful nuclear test at Pokharan in 1974, followed by a second test in 1998. [cite: 7]

On 11th May 1998, India carried out its second series of nuclear tests at Pokharan to prove its nuclear preparedness, which included testing a Hydrogen Bomb. Although Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee assured the international community that there would be no first use of nuclear weapons by India, the United States of America opposed these nuclear explosions. Consequently, as a direct punitive measure against the tests, the USA imposed strict economic sanctions on India immediately. [cite: 7]

Satellite technology heavily influences numerous everyday services that we rely upon. Following the launch of satellites like INSAT, major revolutions occurred in telecommunications, allowing for nationwide telephone connectivity, television broadcasting, and radio network expansion (connecting hundreds of Akashwani stations). Satellite technology is fundamental for accurate weather forecasting, allowing authorities to track cyclones and storms. It also plays a vital role in search and rescue operations during disasters like shipwrecks or airplane crashes. Furthermore, it enables telemedicine services, connecting rural Primary Health Centers with superspecialty urban hospitals, and greatly aids educational institutions through remote learning broadcasts. [cite: 7]

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is revered as the 'Missile Man' of India due to his phenomenal contribution to the country's indigenous missile production. He spearheaded the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Under his visionary leadership, India successfully developed and tested a formidable array of advanced missiles, including the surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi, the Agni missile series, the surface-to-air Akash missile, and the anti-tank Nag missile. His foundational work transformed India into a self-reliant nation capable of protecting its borders, earning him the title of the father of India's missile programme. [cite: 7]

In order to bring efficiency, accuracy, and coordination to the ticketing process, the Indian Railways adopted modern technology and started the computerised reservation system for the first time in Delhi in 1984. Through this system, passengers could book confirmed seats from a centralised network instead of relying on manual paper ledgers. Today, computerised reservation can be done by visiting designated railway reservation counters equipped with terminals, or highly conveniently through internet-based online booking portals and mobile applications managed by the railway authorities, allowing instant access to seat availability and secure electronic payments. [cite: 7]

The Konkan Railway, which started operations in 1998, is a marvel of modern Indian engineering stretching over a distance of 760 kilometres across four states: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. Its key features involve navigating extremely challenging terrain, which required the construction of 92 tunnels, with the 6.5 km tunnel at Karbude being the longest. The track encompasses 179 big and 1819 small bridges, including the 2065.8m long bridge on the River Sharavati (the biggest) and the 64m tall bridge on the River Panval (India's tallest). Additionally, to ensure safety on tracks prone to landslides in the hilly regions, special sensors are fitted directly to the railway engines to avoid accidents. [cite: 7]