National Technology Week Celebrated with Enthusiasm at PCDA (SC) Pune

Camp, 16th May 2023: National Technology Week was observed and celebrated in O/o Pr. CDA (SC) Pune under the above guidance and leadership of Dr. Rajeev Chavan, IDAS, ndc, PCDA (SC) Pune w.e.f. 07.05.2023 to 13.05.2023 by conducting multiple activities and carrying out various events of Scientific and Technological importance in contemporary sense.

As you are aware, National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11th May with the objective of counting, appreciating and honoring the achievements of Engineers and Scientists in the various fields of Science and Technology in India. This year to create scientific awareness and spread the message of utility of Science and Technology for nation building process and sensitize the masses and gentry of its importance several lectures and talk shows were conducted in the O/o PCDA (SC) Pune to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the week in a scientific meaningful and befitting manner.

During the inaugural ceremony held on 7th May 2023 Dr. Rajeev Chavan, IDAS, ndc, PCDA (SC) Pune, highlighted the importance of innovation that played crucial role during Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time he cautioned the darker aspects of innovation for example misuse of nuclear technology which can be not only dangerous but damaging for society. He reminded 17 sustainable development goals of United Nations which are aimed to achieve 3 Es viz. Equity- for inclusive growth, Equality- for equitable distribution of resources and Ecology- to avoid environmental damage. These 3 Es can be achieved with 3 Rs viz. Responsibility towards our actions, Reasonability while using technology and Restraining from misuse of technology.

He also highlighted best practices such as Power of less and charity, Coordination and Sharing. He narrated his own experience of development of Option Calculator in PCDA (O), Pune which benefitted 55000 Army Officers. He stressed upon the importance of import substitution with export promotion especially in Defence Sector to encash the demographic dividend and earned the scarce revenue for futuristic mass production activity. This will also help in bringing Atmanirbharta in Defence production, sector and provide job opportunity to many unemployed youth. While talking about R&D development he highlighted the need for enhanced budgetary allocation for DRDO at par with developed countries which is 2.5 % of the GDP since most of our exports are with SAARC which needs widening.

On 8th May 2023, Shri Omkar Moghe, IDAS, Sr. DCDA took a lecture on “Latest IT Developments and Trends”. He emphasized on the use of various technologies in the IT sector viz. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, use of Internet, 5G, Computing Big Data Analysis etc. A lucid presentation was made to explain the technological nitty-gritty in a simple manner to the audience attaching its importance and significance.

On 9th May, Shri Alok Tiwari, IDAS, ACDA spoke on innovation, sustainable development initiatives, best practices in Technology and R&D efforts in Defence. While talking on Self reliance he highlighted various govt. initiatives like Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat which will not only make India self sufficient and but also self reliant. He also advised audience to adapt and learn to imbibe the newer technologies with more positive mind and reduce the state exchequer burden on defence imports which is at present 90%, to a respectable level.

On 10th May 2023, Shri Swapnil Hanmane, IDAS, ACDA took a lecture on ‘Telecom Revolutions’. He explained the evolution of telecom industries with respect to policy and its allied regulatory framework. He also highlighted different telecom technologies such as 5G, Broadband, Satellite communication and its applications in Govt. offices as well as Corporate sector for promotion and promulgation as well as betterment of communication facility in these set up.

While Shri. B S Kamble, IDAS, Jt. CDA shared his views on need for Media Outreach and its Advantages/ Disadvantages on 11th May 2023. He explained the importance of various print and electronic media for official use. He also advised the audience to stay away from the Social Media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc unless it is useful for the state and permitted by the Govt. Officials Secret Act and dangers of Cyber attacks to be kept in mind.

Sh. Rajendra Prasad Verma, Asst. Director, Hindi Education Policy, Ministry of Defence shed light on usage of technology in software applications in Hindi typing on the 12th May 2023. He pointed out the special features viz. Unicode in Computer keyboard, text to speech recognition, CHATGPT, quick part features of MS Word and many other features in Windows 10 and 11 which were installed by him in the Office.

Finally, National Technology Week concluded on 15 May 2023 with Shri. Harsh Vaidya, IDAS, IFA (R&D) Pune, highlighting DAD’s IT initiatives such as Dolphin, PRABAL, Defence Travel System (DTS), SPARSH for pension disbursement. He also highlighted that DAD is one of the pioneer in the usage of technology such as Holerith machine for making of punching medium and such initiatives to be continued with more vigor and fervor for sustenance.