Extraordinary feat: Kharge remembers 'Smiling Buddha' India's first nuclear test.

The article commemorates the 51st anniversary of India's first nuclear test, known as 'Smiling Buddha', conducted on May 18, 1974. This event marked India's entry into the group of nuclear-capable nations, making it the sixth country to conduct such a test. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge acknowledged the contributions of India's scientific community and praised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership in a social media post. The test, officially termed a "Peaceful Nuclear Explosion," was a significant milestone that underscored India's commitment to an independent nuclear program, despite international backlash and opposition to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The legacy of this test continues to influence India's strategic autonomy and advancements in nuclear capabilities. [Extracted from the article]