Advances in the use of nuclear power for civilian purposes like electricity generation and medical isotopes are widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of scientific development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in mission mode for achieving super star status in terms of scientific accomplishments for the country. And therefore, science, engineering, civil nuclear agreements are the major thrust areas in his relations with the heads of the governments of the many advanced countries of the world, with whom he has conferred with.
Indians are concerned with the most important issue of growth, the growth that makes a difference in their quality of lives. For this to happen power is a vital requirement. That is why the Prime Minister is making a Nuclear Push, which will meet affordably and securely the high energy demands of the country and also change the energy mix in the medium to the long term in line with the international practices to decarbonise our planet.
Presented in the form of a comprehensive account, our cover story tells you the details of the existing plants in the country complete with rollout and generation data from indigenous & imported fuel, power share arrangements, developments in light water reactor field, etc. The story also describes the developments taking place for utilization of Thorium, an important agenda for Grade III of India’s nuclear development programme. Plus there are important sections on the global portfolio, especially after Fukushima, Environment & Health assessments, spent fuel safety and very importantly India’s safe and reliable record in running commercial nuclear power plants for the past 45 years.
Also, significantly, the developments in this sector will be felt in non-power sectors notably, agriculture, food preservation & medicine. But for this to take off in a vigorous fashion, a very high quality public education is needed. It should begin in schools and colleges. Science Teachers & students should be roped in for this campaign by the government instead of its ill-informed noise creating politicians. This is needed to knock off the scaremongers who mutilate facts, stoke fears to perpetuate the picture of India as a land of swarming protests, where it is difficult to do projects.
