In the year 1998, the government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee surprised the world by conducting nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan. Many countries including America and Pakistan were surprised by these sudden nuclear tests. Under the leadership of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, this mission was carried out in such a way that the whole world including America had no idea about it. Earlier in 1974, Indira Gandhi‘s government had given proof of India’s strength to the world by conducting the First Nuclear Test (Pokharan-1), which was named Operation ‘Smiling Buddha’.
India’s attempt to test a nuclear bomb in 1995 failed. American satellite and intelligence agencies had completely sabotaged India’s efforts. But it is the result of the 1998 nuclear tests that today India is a participant in a large number of international mega-science projects like ITER, LIGO and the Thirty Meter Telescope. In the field of technology, we are moving forward shoulder to shoulder with the world.
Scientist in Military Uniform
- That day everyone was taken to the testing site in army uniform so that the intelligence agency felt that army personnel were on duty.
- ‘Missileman’ Abdul Kalam was also present there in army uniform. Later its pictures also surfaced, in which the entire team was seen in army uniform.
- It is said that Dr. Kalam was given the pseudonym of Colonel Prithviraj and would never go to the testing site in a group. He used to go alone so that no one would doubt him.
- The plan was finalized on the night of 10 May and the operation was named ‘Operation Shakti’.
The Bomb came from a Truck early in the Morning
The Nuclear Bombs were transferred through 4 army trucks at around 3 in the morning. Earlier, it was brought from Mumbai to Jaisalmer base by Indian Air Force aircraft.
Used Codewords like Taj Mahal and Kumbhkaran
- During the action, the discussion took place in the Delhi office like this: Has the shop arrived? A set of nuclear bombs was called ‘The Taj Mahal’. Other code words were White House and Kumbhkaran.
- Pokhran was chosen for testing because human habitation here was very far away. Let us tell you that Pokaran is a major city 110 km away from Jaisalmer on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur route.
Large Wells were Dug
- To complete this mission, scientists dug huge wells in the desert and placed atomic bombs on them. There were mountains of sand on the wells and thick wires were attached to them.
- The explosion sent a plume of smoke into the sky and a large crater was formed at the explosion site. A group of 20 scientists standing at some distance from this were keeping an eye on the entire incident.
- With the test of 5 nuclear bombs at the Pokhran Test Range, India became the first nuclear power country that had not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
- After the test, Vajpayee announced, ‘Today at 15.45 India conducted an underground nuclear test in the Pokhran range.’ He had gone to the blast site. Kalam had declared the test successful.
Kalam said, there was pressure on India
- Kalam had told in an interview that there was a lot of international pressure on India at that time but the then PM Vajpayee had decided that he would go ahead and conduct the test. With this India became a nuclear power.
- The success of these nuclear tests of India established India’s reputation across the world. Only three months had passed since Vajpayee’s government was formed at the Center and everyone was surprised as to how Vajpayee took such a big step so soon.
However, Vajpayee also said that we will not use nuclear weapons first. India will never use these weapons against countries that do not have nuclear weapons.
Also Read:
- What is the History of Tea in India and how did it Start?
- About the First Nuclear Test in India,1974: Pokhran Test 1
