Ramadoss expresses concern over global nuke race

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) With nations acquiring destructive abilities by employing nuclear weapons, no other time would be more appropriate than the present to debate on the theme of peace, health and development, Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said today.

Addressing delegates on the concluding day of the 18th World Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Dr Ramadoss said, ''History is witness to the unprecedented destruction caused by the atomic bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Till then, mankind had only speculated the destruction it might cause.'' The Health Minister said there was a serious danger of these nuclear weapons falling into the hands of non-state groups. An even more dangerous proposition was the terrorists using these bombs or improvised nuclear devices.

However, the global race for nuclear militarization had forced those countries with limited resources to think and act for preparedness and response.

He said the international community was facing a bigger challenge than nuclear destruction which involved alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse. These problems needed attention and action at the global level. ''I hope the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) initiative of involving youth to mobilise opinion among communities for peace and development will now also take up these challenges and would be a turning point for this generation to shape things for the future.'' The meet was attended by representatives and leaders from more than 59 countries who participated in the Conference jointly organised by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) and IDPD.

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