Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 15: Invoking the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that India’s peaceful nuclear programme is a befitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s mission of peace and non-violence.
Just as Gandhi always said, non-violence cannot be the virtue of the meek and can be practised with conviction only by the one who has all the arms, ammunition and strength to resort to violence but still chooses to be non-violent, similarly India today has all the capabilities in nuclear power and yet, out of conviction, it is not meant to harm anybody but to provide a peaceful, clean, environment friendly, source of energy and power generation.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who was delivering the inaugural address as chief guest at the 6th National Conference of Nuclear Energy here today, noted that this is the Diamond Jubilee year of the establishment of Bhabha Research Centre at Mumbai and therefore, the most appropriate occasion to fulfill the nuclear energy initiative undertaken by Dr Homi Bhabha six decades ago. This is also the best time to accomplish this dream because under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, there is a special focus on scientific advancement which the country had awaited for several years, he added. In this regard, he referred to recent foreign visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which Areva of France and L&T of India arrived at an understanding to help develop Advance Water Reactor and thus set up one of the most glorious “Make in India” science projects. Similarly, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada, that country agreed to supply Uranium to India. For this,he expressed India’s acknowledgement to the Ambassadors of France and Canada, both of whom shared the dais with him during the inaugural function.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the challenge before us is not just achieving high levels of energy production but to be able to to do so without disturbing the environment or the milieu around. At present, out of India’s total electricity generation capacity of about 240 Giga Watts, the nuclear power contributes just over 5 Giga Watts but by the year 2030, the nuclear power contribution is expected to increase to 40 Giga Watts and that will place us at par with any other developed nation of the world.
Brushing aside apprehensions about possible hazards from the nuclear power projects to be set up in near future, Dr Jitendra Singh said, we live in evidence based era and our statistics, data and figure prove that this is not true. Even the studies conducted on the scientists and experimenters working in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre have not shown any abnormal physical changes as a result of so called radiation exposure. Citing his personal example Dr Jitendra Singh said, as a medical researcher he had himself conducted experimental studies using radioactive isotopes in human blood, way back in 1980’s and similar studies were being conducted by others as well with immense benefit to mankind.
Sounding an optimistic note for future, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the second unit of Kundankulam of 1000 Mega Watt is expected to be connected to the grid later this year. This will be the first 1000 Mega Watt unit from the same project which is already in commercial operation since December last year, he added.
Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India, Dr R.K.Sinha, France Ambassador Francois Richier, Canada Ambassador Nadir Patel and CMD, Areva, France, Erwan Hinault also spoke on the occasion.
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