National Technology Day 2024 Celebrated with Focus on Clean and Green Technologies

New Delhi: The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology marked the National Technology Day 2024 with a grand celebration at the INSA Auditorium, ITO, New Delhi. The event, themed ‘Promoting Clean and Green Technologies for a Sustainable Future’, brought together distinguished scientists, dignitaries, and thought leaders, aiming to pave the way towards a cleaner, greener, and more resilient nation.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, stressed the importance of promoting electric vehicles (EVs) through initiatives like the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME). He highlighted the EV Mission spearheaded by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology Innovation and Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), dedicated to developing supportive standards and frameworks for EV adoption.

Prof. Sood also underscored the strategic significance of the National Hydrogen Mission in India’s journey towards achieving a net-zero target by 2070. He emphasized substantial investments in green hydrogen production as a key component of this mission, along with ongoing efforts in Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies to optimize costs and broaden industrial application, further contributing to India’s sustainability goals.

Highlighting the importance of consultative groups and international collaborations, Prof. Sood mentioned OPSA’s partnership with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) on Zero Emission Trucking, aimed at enhancing India’s technological frameworks and policies for sustainable development and meeting international climate goals.

Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), emphasized the significance of innovation for national development and the need to foster a culture of innovation. He highlighted the government’s initiatives in funding various research and development programs and nurturing innovation through schemes like NIDHI and TDB, aimed at incubating startups and fostering entrepreneurship. Prof. Karandikar also stressed DST’s pivotal role in supporting research and development in clean and green technologies, particularly in sectors like water treatment and electric vehicles (EVs), noting significant investments made in these programs.

Padmashri Prof. G.D. Yadav, in his keynote address, advocated for sustainable solutions, championing carbon removal and technological innovations to achieve net zero by 2070. He highlighted the potential of white hydrogen and the future promise of green hydrogen, proposing waste-to-wealth factories, hydrogenating plastic, and battery recycling as avenues for sustainable innovation.

The event also featured the participation of 23 students representing 20 projects selected to compete in the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).