"Manipur has little presence in atomic energy programme"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 17 2018: Manipur's representation in different programmes and activities undertaken by the Government of India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is very little, said the department's Public Awareness Division head Ravi Shankar.

Speaking to The Sangai Express today, Ravi Shankar who has been participating in the 105th Indian Science Congress being hosted by Manipur University since yesterday said that DAE has been implementing different academic projects and schemes across the country in addition to establishments related to atomic energy and nuclear programme but Manipur's participation in these programmes is quite dismal.

Nuclear programme is not necessarily about manufacturing nuclear weapons.

Radiation technology is now applied successfully in different fields such as healthcare, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing industries, astronomy etc.

Manipur has little presence in atomic energy programme

Application of radiation technology in different fields was demonstrated in the DAE's stall.

Whereas Manipur does not have any nuclear centre for academic purposes, Assam B Baruah Cancer Institute is now fully funded by the Central Government.

Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) is one of the many projects of DAE which provides career opportunities apart opening avenues for research works, Ravi Shankar said.

He added that very few people from Manipur applied for the project.

Moreover, different divisions and units of DAE have been recruiting students who have cleared MSc and MTech courses every year.

For this recruitment, students must join online test before appearing for interview, he said.

DAE organises essay writing competition for Graduate students on nuclear science every year.

Students selected through the essay competition would be taken around and shown different installations of DAE.

So far, three students from Manipur had qualified for this privilege, Ravi Shankar said.

Nonetheless, Ravi Shankar said that he felt gratified on seeing the enthusiasm of students who came to see the 105th Indian Science Congress.

Two scientists from Manipur; Thokchom Dewan and Dr Waikhom Saratchandra have been explaining different scientific phenomena to students as members of DAE at Manipur University.