Posted by Every year National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 across India. Late Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared May 11 as National Technology Day to hail the efforts of scientists, engineers and technological advancement in India.
While May 11 remains a significant day for the technology sector in India, it is also a reminder to the world about India’s growing power in the field of Science and Technology, particularly in the development of nuclear technology. It’s a day to respect, honour and express gratitude towards all the scientists, engineers and technology experts that have worked hard to establish India at the forefront of the technology world.
Some tech industry leaders and experts across India have shared and expressed their opinions and views on various aspects of technology and its impact on business, humans and climate change and sustainability to mark Nation Technology Day.
Climate Change
“On National Technology Day, we celebrate the spirit of innovation and scientific progress that has been driving India’s technology ecosystem for the past 25 years. We’ve seen amazing progress over that time and can take immense pride in the contributions that our scientists and engineers have made to not just India but to humanity,” said Ajeya Motaganahalli, VP – Engineering, FlashBlade and MD – India R&D, Pure Storage.
“Now we have to turn our attention to the biggest challenge facing mankind – climate change. Science and technology will play a key role and I am convinced that India can also make a significant contribution and help build a brighter, more sustainable world for future generations,” added Motaganahalli.
Sustainability
“The United Nations declared 2020 as the beginning of the ‘decade of action’ which calls for an accelerated sustainable solution for the world’s biggest challenges, including but not limited to Climate Change, in order to achieve the targets set under the UN SDGs 2030. Carbon emissions continue to be a huge challenge the world over, with buildings being significant contributors to this. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning are important facets of a building not only for comfort, but also from a health standpoint,” said Arun Awasthy, VP and President & Managing Director, Johnson Controls India.
“At the same time, HVAC systems have been known to be extremely polluting for the environment. Today, the integration of technology like AI and ML into HVAC and Building Management Systems have been game changing. Being armed with data, integrating disparate systems within the building, and automation, have made it possible to make informed and timely decisions, with positive implications for energy and cost savings. We are at a point in time where we must take cognisance of the role technology can play in pivoting nations towards a ‘Sustainable Transformation,” added Awasthy.
“Today, technology is playing a massive role in making the lives of common citizens more efficient, safe, and inclusive. It is our belief that the next phase of economic growth and development in India must be carefully calibrated and achieved sustainably. This will be marked by more robust infrastructure, strengthened by a digital layer to derive its maximum potential, whether applied to traffic management, city governance, connectivity, airports, or public transportation services,” said Alok Kumar, Corporate Officer and SVP-Head of Global Smart City Business & President and CEO, NEC Corporation India.
Research and Development (R&D)
“Furthermore, the use of powerful technologies like AI, ML, and Biometrics have already proven their efficacy in empowering governments to govern better, deliver citizen services more equitably and seamlessly, and maintain law and order. Deepening the use of technology will further strengthen governing bodies, and foster a transparent, productive, and safe society. We feel further enthused to see that the government is taking significant steps to strengthen the R&D efforts in the nation with initiatives like the CoEs for AI, conceived to realise the vision of ‘Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India,” added Kumar.
Emergence of New Technologies
“As we celebrate National Technology Day, we recognise that technology is the driving force behind human progress in this digital age, and introducing ground-breaking ideas is crucial for technological growth. The emergence of revolutionary technologies such as Al, loT, and others provides enormous prospects to apply technology extensively in new business areas, often causing a complete upheaval of existing business models,” said Ram Meenakshisundaram, EVP and CTO of Virtusa Corporation.
“At Virtusa, with its Engineering First approach, strive to enable organisations to embrace digital transformation and leverage cutting-edge technology to stimulate innovation, enhance customer experiences, and elevate business growth to new heights,” added Meenakshisundaram.
Sustainable Forms of Energy, Development and Growth
“On this National Technology Day, we acknowledge and applaud the achievements of the brave scientists and researchers who made India’s journey to becoming a nuclear power successful in 1998. The Pokhran test set forward a precedent of technological advancement in the country and we’ve been growing exponentially ever since. This has also pushed our country towards more sustainable forms of energy production that include nuclear power, solar, and wind energy,” said Vipul Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Aereo (aka Aarav Unmanned Systems)
“The drone industry, which is a less recognised component of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is helping carry the energy transition forward. Drones help coal-dependent energy systems become more sustainable and provide data to design efficient solar plants, watersheds, etc. Today, we strive to continue innovating the drone industry to unlock even more possibilities for sustainable development and positive impact in India and beyond.” added Singh.
“Technology will help us achieve sustainable growth, which is the need of the hour. As this year’s theme for National Technology Day focuses on Sustainability, it’s commendable how different sectors have used technology to do wonders. Technology has reshaped the logistics industry by increasing productivity in the supply chain and reducing costs and errors,” said Prasad Sreeram, Co-Founder and CEO of COGOS.
“Today we celebrate the incredible advancements that have made our life easier, from automated warehouses and resource optimization to real-time tracking systems. We embrace these innovations as they enable us to provide our clients with faster, more efficient, and more sustainable solutions. We look forward to continuing to harness the power of technology to drive progress and shape the future of logistics,” added Sreeram.
Transformation of Societies
“Technology is not just a tool, it’s a catalyst for progress. It empowers us to innovate, to collaborate, and to push the boundaries of what’s possible. With its ability to solve pressing issues, bridge gaps, and transform societies, technology enables governments, civil society, and markets to come together and create real impact at scale,” said Anand Rajan, Mission Leader and Co-Founder of Apurva.ai
“As we mark National Technology Day, let’s remember that the true value of technology lies not in its novelty or complexity, but in its ability to improve people’s lives. Let us commit to using technology in a way that promotes equity, inclusion, and sustainability, and to ensuring that its benefits are shared by all,” added Rajan.
Engineering Prowess and Innovation Capabilities
“India’s engineering prowess is now widely acknowledged, with a formidable tech workforce bringing global recognition with homegrown brands being at the forefront of India’s success story. The Indian tech industry has grown significantly from a $19 billion worth industry to around $245 billion. All signs point to this – today technology has become an indispensable strategic imperative that businesses need to thrive,” said Amit Khatri, Co-Founder of Noise.
“At Noise, we have been riding this technology wave from the frontlines, remaining steadfast in our mission to democratise smart wearable technology by making it accessible to users across the nation. We believe in not just creating another product but innovating in a way that adds a meaningful and quality upgrade to our users’ lifestyles. Whether it’s smartwatches for professionals, college students, or children, TWS for music lovers featuring ANC and ENC, or integrating gesture and voice control for a completely hands-free experience, every product we offer is an outcome of in-depth consumer insights we have gathered and industry-leading innovation,” added Khatri.
“To further level up our innovation capabilities, we launched our in-house tech incubator, Noise Labs, last year on National Technology Day. This was introduced to conceptualize and develop one-of-a-kind products that will shape the future of technology across the industry. Our two brainchildren from Noise Labs, the Noise i1 smart glasses and the Noise IntelliBuds TWS exemplify the vision we hold for Noise Labs, and this is just the tip of the iceberg in our journey of innovation,” concluded Khatri.