Maharashtra Board Class 11 Defense Studies Chapter 5 Science Technology and Indias National Security PDF Download

Science, Technology and India's National Security

In Chapter 1 of this book you have learnt that to protect national security, a nation requires to develop National Power. You had also learnt about the various elements of national power. One of these elements is science and technology. Let us see the role of science and technology in national security.

Relationship Between Science, Technology and Engineering

Technology is often developed from the basic knowledge of science combined with engineering. For example, science might study the flow of electrons in electrical conductors by using already-existing tools and knowledge. This new-found knowledge may then be used by engineers to manufacture new tools and machines such as semiconductors, computers, and other forms of advanced technology. In this sense, scientists and engineers may both be considered as technologists. Therefore the three fields i.e. Science, technology and engineering are often considered as one for the purposes of research and development. The definition of each given below will enable better understanding of the relationship of three terminologies.

1. Science: Science is an intellectual and practical activity. It does a systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world, through observation and experiment. The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge.

2. Technology: It is the application of practical sciences to industry or commerce. Technology refers to methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes. A modern example is the rise of Information Technology (IT) which is the combined application of computer science and electronics.

3. Dual-Use Technology: It is that technology which can satisfy more than one goal at any given time. Thus, expensive technologies which would otherwise serve military purposes are also used to benefit civilian interests. Examples: Global Positioning System; Technology for Satellite launch rockets can also be used for manufacturing long range missiles; Nuclear reactors produce electricity, as also produce plutonium for making nuclear bombs.

4. Engineering: It is the application of various kinds of knowledge to invent, innovate, design, manufacture, various components.

5. Manufacturing: It is the process of converting raw materials, components, or parts into finished goods. Technology is an essential component of manufacturing.

6. Industry: It is a group of manufacturers or businesses that produce goods or services. In the modern world, industries form the backbone of a nation's economy.

Teacher's Note

Science and technology help India become strong. For example, when India makes its own satellites, we don't depend on other countries.

Exam Trick

Remember: Dual-use means two uses. Just like a knife can cut vegetables or be used as a weapon. GPS works for cars and also for missiles.

Points to Remember

Science studies how things work through observation and experiments.
Technology is when we use science to make useful things.
Engineering applies science and technology to design and build new things.
Dual-use technology can be used for both military and civilian purposes.
Industries are groups of businesses that make our country's economy strong.

Scientific, Technological and Industrial Development in India

India was the cradle of knowledge in many fields such as medicine, mathematics and astronomy since ancient times. Textiles and Ship building industry was well advanced in medieval India. HMS Trincomalee was a 38 gun frigate built at Bombay (Mumbai) for the British navy. The designer was Jamsetjee Bomanjee. The ship's keel was laid down in 1816 and launched in October 1817.

Thus until the 17th century India was technologically, economically and militarily at par with the European nations. In 1780 Tipu Sultan surprised the British forces by using rockets against them; the British copied these rockets and used them against Napoleon in Europe in 1812. The Industrial revolution commenced in England around 1760 and spread to Europe. Unfortunately, the Indian subcontinent fell behind the Europeans in various fields such as textiles, metallurgy, explosives, machinery for mass production and transport systems. The subjugation of India by the British in the 18th century, led to the dismantlement of India's indigenous industries such as textiles and shipbuilding.

Under British rule, the education system also suffered; there was very little encouragement in establishing institutions of learning, research and for development of science and technology. After independence in 1947, the government encouraged scientific-technical research through the establishment of several national research laboratories and institutions for higher education and research in pure and applied sciences and technologies. These efforts resulted in rapid strides in science and technology with achievements in many fields. These include agriculture, textiles, health-care, pharmaceuticals, info-tech, space, nuclear and defence technology. All of these scientific and technological achievements, including those in a purely non military field, also have tremendous significance from the strategic and national security angle. For example, the green and white revolution in agriculture and dairy farming ushered in through efforts of Dr. Swaminathan and Dr. Verghese Kurien respectively, has resulted in India becoming self sufficient in production of food grains for its population. Unfortunately, the spread and speed of industrial development in the field of manufacturing did not match up to that required for rapid development of the nation.

Teacher's Note

India was very advanced in the past but fell behind during British rule. After independence, India started developing science and technology again to become strong.

Exam Trick

Remember: Before 1947 = British rule, India weak. After 1947 = Independence, India develops science and technology. Green revolution = more food, White revolution = more milk.

Points to Remember

Ancient India was advanced in medicine, mathematics and astronomy.
Medieval India had good textile and ship building industries.
During British rule, India's industries were destroyed and fell behind Europe.
After independence in 1947, India started developing science and technology again.
Dr. Swaminathan and Dr. Kurien made India self-sufficient in food and milk.

In 1991 major economic reforms took place in India. Private participation in the industrial sector increased. However, India is yet to become self-sufficient in some high technology manufacturing sectors including weapons technology. Indian scientists and engineers like Dr. Homi Bhabha Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Abdul Kalam, Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Dr. Swaminathan, Dr. Verghese Kurien, and others have helped India achieve notable success in a number of fields of military, non-military and dual use technologies. For example:

1. Military Technology: In the field of Military Technology Dr. Abdul Kalam was instrumental in making India capable of building all types of missiles required for its armed forces.

2. Nuclear Technology: Dr. Homi Bhabha pioneered India's nuclear development program, both for peaceful and military purposes. Besides being a nuclear weapon state, India has built its own nuclear reactors to generate electricity.

3. Space Technology: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Kasturirangan and many others scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have made the nation self-sufficient in building and launching rockets, spacecraft and satellites. Satellites are invaluable in providing the nation with communication, navigation and surveillance facilities for military as well as civilian purposes.

4. Agriculture: Dr. M.S. Swaminathan an agricultural scientist and Dr. Kurien Verghese an engineer by education, made a success of the green and white revolution respectively. Consequently India is now a leading producer in the world for food grains, fruits, vegetables, milk and poultry. Even this purely non-military development has a tremendous significance from the strategic and national security point of view.

5. Information Technology: Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, led a group of young engineers to build India's first super computer. A number of young Indian engineers and entrepreneurs like Dr. Narayan Murthy made India a leading power in Information Technology.

Teacher's Note

Great Indian scientists like Dr. Abdul Kalam made missiles, and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai made rockets. These scientists made India strong and independent in technology.

Exam Trick

Remember: Dr. Abdul Kalam = Missiles (Missile Man). Dr. Vikram Sarabhai = Space rockets. Dr. Homi Bhabha = Nuclear power. Each scientist is famous for one thing.

Points to Remember

Dr. Abdul Kalam developed missiles for India's defence.
Dr. Homi Bhabha started India's nuclear programme.
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai founded ISRO and made satellites.
Dr. Swaminathan made green revolution in farming.
Dr. Kurien made white revolution in dairy farming.

This is a preview of the first 3 pages. To get the complete book, click below.