National Technology Day

National Technology Day

National Technology Day is celebrated all over India on May 11th every year, with great zeal and enthusiasm. The day is celebrated to commemorate India’s three major milestones in the field of science & technology. These include the nuclear bomb tests conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan, the test firing of the indigenously developed “Trishul” missile and the test flight of the indigenous aircraft “Hansa-3”. All the three events occurred on the same day i.e. May 11th 1998. Since then, May 11th is celebrated as National Technology Day all over India by scientific, industrial and educational institutions, with pomp and gaiety.

History of National Technology Day

A series of five controlled nuclear bomb tests were conducted at Pokhran test range in Rajasthan on May 11th and 13th, 1998. The first three out of the five nuclear tests were conducted on May 11th, 1998, when the three nuclear devices were detonated simultaneously. However, this triggered earthquake in the nearby seismic stations, registering 5.3 on Richter scale. So, the next two tests were postponed to May 13th, which was also conducted successfully. As a result, May 11th, 1998 was officially signed as the National Technology Day by the then Prime Minister of India.

National Technology Day Celebrations

Several events are organised by scientific and educational institutions to mark the occasion. On this day, various educational institutions including schools and engineering colleges organise lectures, quizzes, presentations and interactive sessions etc. on different aspects of science & technology, to motivate the young minds to adopt the field as their career.

National Technology Day is a wonderful opportunity to praise the use of science and technology in everyday life. So, celebrate the day with your child at home in the following ways:

  • Explain to your child about the importance of science & technology in our daily lives. For instance, tell her how different home appliances such as refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, mixer grinder etc. have become inherent part of our lives.
  • Make a list of the famous Indian scientists and their inventions/discoveries and discuss their achievements, with your child.
  • Along with your child, read monthly science magazines to get updated on the latest developments in science & technology and India’s contribution in it.
  • Conduct a Science Quiz and encourage your child and her friends to participate in it. You may include questions based on the recent achievements of India in the field of science & technology. Announce the winners of the quiz and present them with attractive prizes.
  • Encourage your child to start a science project at home by using things that are easily available in and around the house. You may also shop with her for the items needed for the project and help her to complete it.
  • Take your child to the nearest Planetarium or science museum, on the day. During the visit, encourage your child to take notes about the information on the inventions/discoveries, being exhibited at the place.

This way, celebrate National Technology Day with your child at home and motivate her to develop more interest in science subject.

 

 

Mother’s Day | Mother’s Day Date

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is celebrated with fun and fervour across the world, to pay tribute to motherhood. The day is especially dedicated to all the mothers across the globe, who are inherent parts of our lives. Although the event is a western celebration, its importance has spread all over the world and today, many countries celebrate Mother’s Day with equal zeal and enthusiasm. The event is celebrated on different days in various countries. In India, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May. Mother’s Day 2013 will be celebrated on the 12th of May.

History of Mother’s Day

The earliest celebration of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the annual spring festival of the Greeks, which is dedicated to Goddess Rhea – the mother of many deities of the Greek mythology. According to another historical record, Mother’s Day celebration dates back to 1600 A.D., when the early Christians settled in England, dedicated a day to honour Mother Mary. Later on, the scope of the celebrations was expanded to honour all the mothers too. The day then came to be known as ‘Mothering Sunday’, which was observed on the 4th Sunday of Lent (in the 40-day period leading up to Easter), every year.

Mother’s Day celebration in India

Just like the western countries, the tradition of presenting Mother’s Day gifts and cards is popular in India as well. On this day, gift galleries across the country witness a significant increase in their sales. The stores display customised Mother’s Day gifts and beautiful Mother’s Day cards. The day is especially popular in metropolitan cities, wherein special contests and programmes are organised at shopping malls as a part of their direct marketing & promotional activities. Also, many leading brands of clothing & fashion accessories offer discount on their products & services on Mother’s Day.

People consider Mother’s Day as an opportunity to extend their sincere gratitude and express their heartfelt feelings to their mothers. So, dedicate this day to your mother and celebrate Mother’s Day in the most unique ways. Here are some useful tips to celebrate Mother’s Day with your mom at home.

How to celebrate Mother’s Day with your mother at home:

  • Involve the members of your family to cook your mother’s favourite recipe(s) on the day. You may prepare the breakfast/lunch/dinner, bake a cake or make your mother’s favourite dessert recipe.
  • Make a beautiful card for your mother and along with it, present her a bouquet of roses or a gift basket of chocolates.
  • Dedicate a poem to your mother, mentioning how thankful you are to her, for all the love & affection that she has showered upon you & the family.
  • Make a collage of the photographs capturing your candid moments along with your mother.
  • Create a scrapbook of photographs, highlighting the most memorable moments that you have spent with your mother. Decorate the cover page of the scrapbook and present it to your mother.
  • Send your mother for an outing with her close friend or your father. In the meantime, along with your sibling, decorate the home with Mother’s Day posters, ribbons and other embellishments. Also, order a cake and write “Mom, you are the best!” quote on it. Thereafter, call your mother back from her outing, to witness the pleasant surprise that you have created for her at home!
  • Arrange a get-together at your home for all the mothers in your locality. During the party, you may dedicate a song, poem or give dance performances, to the tunes of popular Mother’s Day songs. Plan this party along with other members of your family, well in advance.

So, use the aforesaid tips and make this year’s Mother’s Day worth memorable for the lifetime!