Imagine a hot morning in the Rajasthan desert on May 18, 1974. Deep underground, a powerful device exploded quietly, shaking the ground and changing India’s future forever. This was Smiling Buddha (officially called Pokhran-I), our country’s first successful nuclear test. It showed the world India’s brilliant scientists could build advanced technology on their own. Led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, … Continue reading BE 5: Smiling Buddha: India’s Proud First Nuclear Test