• PM laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation, multiple scientific projects worth over 5800 crore rupees on the occasion of National Technology Day in New Delhi.
• The projects for which the foundation stone would be laid include
  • Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory-India (LIGO-India), Hingoli Maharashtra;
  • Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni, Odisha; and
  • Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

About the day

• The Technology Development Board (TDB) a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) celebrates May 11 every year as National Technology Day to commemorate achievements of innovations and technological excellence in the country.
• Triple historical perspective:
  • On May 11, 1998, India successfully carried out nuclear tests at Pokhran.
  • The first indigenous aircraft “Hansa-3” was test flown at Bangalore on this day; and
  • India also performed successful test firing of the Trishul missile on the same day.
• Since 1999, the day is being celebrated as National Technology Day.
• This year’s theme is ‘School to Startups- Igniting Young Minds to Innovate’.
• The program and celebrations marking the National Technology Day 2023 has a special focus on Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).