From FBTR to PFBR, a 'Hanuman jump' : French scientist

Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, July 18 (UNI) Describing India's progress from Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) as a ''Hanuman Jump'', French Atomic Energy Vice President Georges Vendryes today advised India to move forward with ''utmost circumspection'' to emerge as world champions in Fast Breeder Reactor Technology.

Speaking at the commemorative function to mark 20 years of successful operation of FBTR at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research here, Dr Vendryes said India's decision to go for 500 MW PFBR, which would be commissioned in 2010, was a daring challenge and a bold one.

''Moving straight from FBTR to PFBR is a kind of Hanuman Jump,'' he said.

However, he cautioned India to move forward with utmost circumspection and resort to all kinds of advises and precautions and not to take any risks.

Dr Vendryes said ''You are not trying to break any Olympic record...if everything goes well, you will be acclaimed in a decade or so as a world champion in Fast Breeder Reactor Technology.'' Dr Vendryes was associated with the building of the FBTR, which was modelled on the lines of Rhapsodie Reactor in France and built with Indo-French collaboration.

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