'Govt committed to strengthening nuke prog'

Mumbai, Aug 31: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declared his government's commitment to strengthening the autonomy of the country's nuclear research and development programme and called for speedy progress on its fast breeder reactor programme.

''We should expedite the progress in setting up of fast breed reactors, after having successfully implemented the pressurised heavy water reactor programme in the country,'' the Prime Minister said while speaking as chief guest at the Golden Jubilee Graduation Function of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at Anushakti Nagar here.

''I am told that the design of an Advanced Heavy Water reactor is ready and BARC is also working on several advanced research reactor designs, including the development of a high temperature reactor, which would enable generation of hydrogen from our nuclear energy,'' Dr Singh said.

''Our unique three-stage nuclear research and development programme, based on the need to utilise our vast thorium deposits, is a logical response to the needs of our economy'', the Prime Minister said.

His statement came a day after the UPA government and the Left parties decided to set up a committee to go into the Left's objections on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Stating that new vistas for the Indian scientists were opening up in the wake of India receiving observer status in the European Centre for Nuclear Research, the Prime Minister urged the scientist community in the country to not over-look many other useful applications of nuclear technology.

''Our nation needs this technology in areas of agriculture, food preservation, healthcare and industry. BARC has done outstanding work in these areas in collaboration with various universities and organisations,'' Dr Singh said.

Reiterating his concern at the declining enrolment in basic sciences in the country's colleges and universities, Dr Singh said the government was working to revitalise the existing scientific institutions and creating modern new institutes of excellence. ''We need new role models in our scientific community. Our scientific community must create a culture of excellence that will attract the best talent. We should nurture, celebrate and reward merit and achievement,'' he said.

Showering accolades on the BARC School, which was set up in 1956 as a centre of in-house training for professionals, the Prime Minister said, '' One of the unique features of the BARC Training School is that it has a faculty of professionals. This synergy between in-house research development and its application has contributed to our technological research capacity, for example, build and operate indigenously designed nuclear power plants.'' Calling the young scientists to show the courage of their convictions and demonstrate self-confidence, the Prime Minister said, ''there is a nuclear renaissance taking place the world over, and exciting opprtunities awaits you. Your skills, knowledge and creativity will be at a high premium as the industry revives.''

In his welcome address, Anil Kakodkar, Chariman, Atomic Energy Commission, and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy said R and D was an area, where self-reliance was of paramount importance. ''We must preserve and enhance this capability undistracted by the lure of readily available external inputs, which may bring constraints along with them,'' he said.

''Safeguarding our domestic capability and programme has to be the touchstone in dealing with international cooperation in the nuclear area. BARC Training School scientists and engineers have a special responsibilty in this regard,'' he added.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister presented the Homi Bhabha awards to toppers in various disciplines as well as to overall toppers in the previous batches.

Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, State Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of Atate in PMO, Prithviraj Chavan, National Security Advisor M K Narayan were also present, besides scientists and other officials from the BARC.

UNI