Dr. R. Chidambaram, a renowned Indian Scientist and who was till recently Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, addressed students and teachers of various schools and colleges of Navi Mumbai on the occasion of National Technology Day Celebrations, which were held at Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai’s Campus on Friday, 11th May, 2018. India carried out five nuclear tests at Pokhran on 11th and 13th May, 1998 and since then 11th May is celebrated as National Technology Day.

Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai welcoming Dr. R. Chidambaram on occasion of National Technology Day Celebrations at
Pillai College of Engineering, New Panvel.

Dr. Chidambaram stressed that “Technology is Power” irrespective of whether it is used to inflict injury to enemy, or to generate wealth or to generate and protect knowledge. If we want to be at the forefront, it is important to develop technology locally as western countries sell or pass on technologies to us only when they are obsolete for them. Dr. Vasudevan Pillai mentioned that there is a need to strengthen our educational system which did not receive adequate attention of the government during 1970 – 2005.

The National Technology Day celebrations at Pillai College were organized by the Mumbai Chapter of National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) in association with Pillai College of Engineering (PCE). Dr Anil Kakodkar, President of NASI, presided over the function. The audience was thrilled on seeing both Dr. R. Chidambaram and Dr. Anil Kakodkar on the stage as they are known to be the architects of the nuclear weapon program in India. In addition to the above, eminent speakers, including Dr. Madhumita Chatterjee from PCE, delivered talks dealing with latest developments in biotechnology and cyber security.