Light Beyond The Bulb -- Light Based Technologies*

On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly 68$^{th}$ Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies. In doing so, the UN has recognized the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies are changing the landscape of our daily lives, promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges. Indeed, from communications to energy, education to health care and life sciences, defense and security to agriculture and environment, there is virtually no area of economic and social activity that has not been impacted by the \textit{enabling} attribute of light-based technologies. This presentation is a summary of the most impactful applications of light and has been compiled as a tribute to light and the vital role it plays -- in more than the obvious way -- in our daily lives.