Introduction
India has evolved from a country struggling to come to terms with its newly found freedom to emerging super technological powerhouse. This growth is characterised by inventions and creation of new ideas across the sectors ranging from farming to physical space exploration. In this context let us describe some of the identifying technological milestones in India.
Laying Foundations: Initial Decades (1947-1977)
After independence, India formed the Planning Commission in 1950 putting more emphasis on science and technology as focal points for the developmental plan. The emphasis was made on the development of research centres and institutes and formation of bases for further progress. This resulted in establishing of most significant institutes such as National Physical Laboratory and National Chemical Laboratory which are still effective even today.
The next focused area was agriculture research during the 1960, because India planned to come out of the food deficient zone. I consider it to be the time that resulted in the Green Revolution aimed at improving food productivity through proper methods and tools. This autochthonous food production protected the economy of India and became a degree of the improvement of agricultural life all through the world.
Space and Defense Innovations (1977-1997)
The Indian space program began with the satellite Aryabhata put into orbit in 1975. This was a building block for the ISRO that has since designed, developed and launched satellites which have revolutionised communication, meteorology and scientific studies. 1989 was an important year that proved that India has everything to launch powerful strategic missiles with the Agni missile test.
21st-Century Technological Triumphs (1997-present)
The period of the late 1990s’ Pokhran II nuclear tests established the nuclear technology in India and marked its capability in the international domain. The first, Chandrayaan-I, finally, in 2008, placed India’s first ever lunar spacecraft around the moon and served a lot of data for lunar reconnaissance and exploration. Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) was launched in 2013 and made India one of the few countries that have interplanetary missions, and it did it for a fairly low price.
The recent Gaganyaan mission was therefore very relevant to place Indian astronauts in space and rank India amongst the powers involved in human space missions. India became a biotech superpower in the COVID-19 response as well; global suppliers of vaccines turned to India as well.
The Bottom Line
At the moment technology and innovation have shaped India’s growth trajectory and evidently placed the country at that negotiated front line. Today India is heading towards more heights literally preparing a roadmap for next generations in such essential sectors of space, biotechnology, agriculture etc. Knowledge advancement has not only changed the economy of India but also provided direction to young brains to move ahead in scientific researches and developments. Technological advancement for this nation entails a bright and a progressive future that is in harmony with the environment.
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