May 11, 1998, the day India became a nuclear weapons state will be observed as "Technology Day", Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared yesterday.
The suggestion came from science and technology minister Murli Manohar Joshi. He said besides the nuclear tests, India had tested its first all composite aircraft and the medium range surface-to-air missile, Trishul, on the day.
The Prime Minister was giving away the 1998 Shanti Swroop Bhatnagar Awards, the highest Indian award for achievement in the field of science, here. Joshi later said specific events and functions will be planned for May 11 every year to make the nation aware of the importance of technological development and intellectual property.