The end of the Second World War saw one of
the most devastating ends in history. Since our childhood, we are taught about
the World wars and how several countries were colonized by European countries.
But no one could have imagined that a future super power would bring an end to
the war in such a manner that it would shock the whole world. Hiroshima and
Nagasaki were the first two victims of USA’s Nuclear weapons Program which
ultimately brought the end of the great wars. The world had seen the scare of
the nuclear weapons. But the most interesting fact was that of the prestige and
honor USA received among all the criticism, which inspired several other
nations to become nuclear powers, including India. And thus, began the race
towards being a nuclear power.
So far, 8 countries have announced the
detonation of nuclear weapons – The United States of America (1945), The Soviet
Union (1949) (successor being Russia),
The United Kingdom (1952), France (1960), China (1964), India (1974), Pakistan (1998)
and North Korea (2006). Israel’s project has been suspected, but the country
hasn’t declared anything much officially.
It becomes a matter of pride for several
Indians around the world that India was part of this prestigious list. India
tested its first nuclear weapon in 1974 during PM Indira Gandhi’s regime. One
of the most important reasons for this desperation to become a nuclear power
was due to the increase in hostilities with China. In 1964, two years after the
Indo-China War, China conducted its first nuclear test, which put India into a
lot of worry. The hostilities kept growing thereafter and at least till the
1980s, India and China didn’t have major Diplomatic ties. It was after China
conducted its second test, the nuclear program of India took pace and finally
in 1974, the country conducted its first nuclear test known as Smiling Buddha. The
test faced several criticisms, mainly because India didn’t sign the
Nuclear-Non-Proliferation Treaty along with the other nuclear powers, because
India felt that the treaty was discriminatory in nature. The tit-for-tat went
on for a long time till the cold war ended and the conflict between the super
powers succumbed with the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
By the end on the 20th century,
again, India seemed to have lost its honor in the international arena due to
the domestic instability and various other issues. Also, with Pakistan
beginning its program of nuclear tests with the help of USA’s funding, India
felt that in was an urgency to conduct a nuclear test to regain its lost
prestige.
It was under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s
leadership and Scientific Advisory of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. R.
Chidambaram, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of
Atomic energy, along with Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO),
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research and Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre (BARC), that India decided to conduct another test.
On 11th May 1998 (till 13th
May 1998), India conducted its second Nuclear test – Pokhran II. They conducted
five tests one after another for three days, which was one of the most iconic
moments in Independent India’s history. Soon, India received massive attention
in the International Media as well as among other nations. Though India faced
many criticisms and went through scrutiny under the United Nations as well, but
still, the honor and pride that India had lost, was all back and firm.
The contributions made by PM Atal Bihari
Vajpayee and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, our missile man are worth recognising on
this occasion. We might fall short of words in appreciating their efforts. But
their hard work, tireless commitment towards making India a greater nation and
constantly performing by burning midnight oil have all resulted in bringing
back the glory of the nation and also, helped India become a major strategic
zone in the International arena.
The Government of India has officially declared this
day as to commemorate the first of the five nuclear tests that were
carried out on 11 May 1998. Also, on this day various individuals and
industries in the field of science and technology are given awards.
In spite of all the ups and downs India went through
after independence, the second nuclear test that was conducted by India has led
towards India becoming one of the most reputed and prominent countries in the
field of nuclear technology, contributing to the world ever since its
inception.
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