National Technology Day observed

CHANDIGARH, MAY 11: To mark the first anniversary of the Pokharan-I nuclear test, National Technology Day was observed in several institu...

CHANDIGARH, MAY 11: To mark the first anniversary of the Pokharan-I nuclear test, National Technology Day was observed in several institutions of the city today.

A lecture was organised to mark the occasion at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, which played a major role in the Pokharan tests. The lecture on trends in semiconductor technology was delivered by the officiating Director Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Dr R.P. Bajpai, while super computing facilities were highlighted by C. Mukku from Panjab University. Chief Controller Ramp;D, P.U. Deshpander was the chief guest on the occasion.

A demonstration of modern map-making techniques, especially digitisation, photogrammeteric surveys, scribing and printing was organised by the Survey of India in Sector 32.

An exhibition of various kinds of topographical and geographical maps, satellite imagery and aerial photographs was also held along with a live demonstration of land surveying techniques. Various departments were open to students as well as the general public.

At the Institute of Microbial Technology IMTECH in Sector 39, a pictorial exhibition of its ongoing research projects and existing capabilities, as well as a live demonstration of its computer modelling expertise were organised.

Two lectures, one on IMTECH8217;s research and development capabilities and the other on the relevance of science today, were also delivered. A video film on the institute8217;s achievements was also screened.

The Chandigarh chapter of the Bharatiya Janata Party observed the the first anniversary of the Pokhran-I nuclear test as quot;National Security Dayquot; at Gandhi Samarak Bhawan here today.

Story continues below this ad

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the BJP8217;s all-India General Secretary, Sanghpriye Gautam, lauded the efforts of the BJP government during its 13-month tenure. Among others who attended the function were: city BJP president Dharampal Gupta, MP Satya Pal Jain, and ex-mayor Gian Chand Gupta. On the other hand, a number of teachers, research scholars and students gathered at the Punjab University Campus market complex in Sector 14 this evening to protest the policies of nuclear weaponisation pursued by the governments of India and Pakistan.

The protest, conducted by the students and teachers of Panjab University against nuclear explosions, was a part of the nationwide protests held to mark the anniversary of explosions carried out in Pokharan last year. The protestors carried anti-nuclear bomb posters in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

The protestors reasoned, quot;While safe and regulated research in nuclear sciences may be useful, unsafe usage of nuclear energy is fatally harmful to life on our planet. In a world where most people live in abject poverty, adamant pusuit of policies that will lead to mass destruction is insane.quot;

A handout to mediapersons stated: quot;The students and teachers of Punjab University join democratically minded people in India, Pakistan and elsewhere in their protest against progammes of weaponisation. We demand that this insane and massive wastage of resources be immediately stopped and that the governments pay more attention to issues of providing for the basic necessities of our people.quot;