dear all
Pokhran I and II
On 11th May 1998, India test exploded 3 nuclear devices and on 13 May 1998 two more nuclear devices at the Pokhran Test Range. This has become popularly known as Pokhran II. This operation was code named as 'Operation Shakthi'. From that day, India celebrates 11th May every year as National Technology Day.
On 18th May 1974, India exploded a nuclear device which was then code named as operation 'Smiling Budha'. This is known as Pokhran I and this was done during Indira Gandhi regime. After nearly quarter century, India undertook Pokhran II, during Vajpayee regime.
Pokhran II was done jointly by DRDO and DAE. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr R Chidambaram were the coordinators. Operation Shakthi was kept highly secret, that even the family members of the scientists working in the project were not aware of what was happening. Even the American Satellites could not locate the operation. After the explosion, Americans reported this as a tremour. Only after Indian Prime Minsiter Vajpayee proudly announced the explosion to the media, the entire world came to know of this.
Opportunities in challenge
While the entire nation and media stood up to salute our Scientists for having showcased the capabilities of India before the world, some countries got angry. Even United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on India.
India was able to manage all the sanctions well. This made Indian Scientists to explore new avenues. We started making our own capabilities. That is how, we became capable of test firing Agni 5, SLV C 19 rockets, Satrellites Risat I, etc. Since, other countries imposed sanction on Uranium supply, our scientists started developing Thorium based Reactors. In the whole world, India has become an expert on this type of Reactors.
Till date, India has not signed NPT. India has a policy of not using the weapons for first attack. When all the neighbours, including China have the capability, India should also have weapons to protect its borders. Slowly, other countries have now relaxed the sanctions against India, even without signing any agreement. We have shown that India is a matured democracy.
Historical facts
In 1960s, During Jawaharlal Nehru's regime, India was shouting slogans like 'Indi-Chini bhai bhai'. On the one side, China was pretending to be our close friend and on the side, it was occupying Indian lands. Today thousands of square miles of Indian terroritory is in the hands of China. That happened because India was not developing weapons then.
Visionary leadership
Then slowly, India wanted to develop nuclear devices to defend its borders, not for attacking others. Recently, Dr Abdul Kalam while addressing Civil Service Officers, recalled an instant, as follows.
source: www.abdulkalam.com
Quote
I was the Director DRDL, Hyderabad. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after sanctioning the integrated guided missile programme through her Cabinet in 1983 at a cost of less than rupees 400 crore came to DRDL to review the programme in 1984. When we were presenting the progress of the IGMDP, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi saw the world map in the conference hall. She asked us to stop the presentation and directed her attention to the world map and said, "Kalam, look at the map, look at the distance in the eastern-side of the map. When will the laboratory launch a missile which will be capable of reaching that spot (that spot was 5000 km away from Indian territory). Of course, our DRDO scientists have achieved this great target envisioned by this great statesmen Smt. Indira ji.
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Now, we have even achieved the vision of Indira Gandhi through Agni 5. Indira Gandhi was mainly reponsible for Pokhran I. When Mr Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister, preparations were on for Pokhran II. Before it was implemented, Congress Government lost power and NDA under the leadership of Vajpayee took over the Government. In the same lecture, Dr Abdul Kalam describes, what happened then.
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Leaders have the courage to take decision
Friends, I still remember a scene during May 1996. It was 9 O'clock at night. I got a call from the then Prime Minister's House that I should meet the Prime Minister Shri PV Narasimha Rao immediately.
I met him just 2 days before the announcement of General Election results. He told me "Kalam, be ready with your team for the N-Test and I am going to Tirupati. You wait for my authorization to go ahead with the test. DRDO-DAE teams must be ready for action.
Of course the election result was quite different from what he anticipated. I was busy in Chandipur missile range. I got a call saying that I must meet immediately the Prime Minister designate Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji with Shri Narasimha Raoji.
I witnessed a unique situation. Shri Narasimha Raoji the outgoing Prime Minister - asked me to brief the details of N-programme to Shri Vajpayeeji, so that a smooth take over of such a very important programme can take place. This incident reveals the maturity and professional excellence of a patriotic statesman who believed that the nation is bigger than the political system.
Of-course after taking over as Prime Minister in 1998, the first task given by Shri Vajpayeeji to me was to conduct the nuclear test at the earliest. Both these leaders had the courage to take difficult decisions boldly, even though the consequences of such a decision have great national and international significance.
unquote
In the Pokhran II, both Congress and NDA showed interest and the Prime Ministers showed high level of maturity and patriotism. Some of the activists also levelled criticisms against Pokhran II. It is very unfortunate that the same critics do not oppose when China develops nuclear missiles. Not withstanding these criticisms, India can not be prevented from safeguarding its territory from the enemies with weapons. Pokhran II has given confidence to the Indian people and also positioned India as one of the strong nations in the world. The sanctions have helped a lot to explore our inner strength.
Jai Hind
K. Srinivasan
Prime Point
9176650273
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