PIB Summary- 11th May, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Context

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) recently introduced a new high-yielding wheat seed variety, HD 3386.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

• The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is the largest and foremost institute in India dedicated to research, higher education, and training in agricultural sciences.
• Located in Delhi, it operates under the administration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

History:

• Establishment: Founded in 1905 at Pusa, Bihar, with a generous grant from American philanthropist Henry Phipps.
• Early Years: Initially known as the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), it operated with five departments covering various agricultural aspects.
• Name Changes: Renamed as the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research in 1911, and later as the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute in 1919.
• Relocation: Moved to Delhi following a devastating earthquake in 1934.
• Post-Independence: Renamed as the Indian Agricultural Research Institute after India gained independence.
• Status: Attained deemed university status in 1958.

Mandate:

• Basic and strategic research in field and horticultural crops to enhance productivity and quality.
• Development of resource-efficient integrated crop management technologies for sustainable agricultural production systems.
• Academic excellence in post-graduate and human resources development in agricultural science.
• Leadership in agricultural research, education, extension, and technology assessment and transfer, serving as a national referral point for quality and standards.

Contributions:

• “Green Revolution”: IARI played a pivotal role in the research leading to the Green Revolution in India during the 1970s, which significantly increased agricultural productivity and transformed the country’s agricultural landscape.

National Technology Day

Context

National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11th every year.

National Technology Day

• National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11th every year to commemorate India’s technological achievements and innovations.
• The day is observed by the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

Historical Perspective:
May 11th has a historical significance as it marks three significant technological achievements in India:

• In 1998, India successfully conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran.
• The first indigenous aircraft “Hansa-3” was test flown at Bangalore on the same day.
• India also performed successful test firing of the Trishul missile on May 11, 1998.

Celebrating National Technology Day:

• Since 1999, National Technology Day is celebrated annually to recognize and celebrate India’s technological prowess, scientific innovations, and technological excellence.
• It is a day to acknowledge the contribution of engineers, scientists, and innovators in advancing technology and transforming the nation.