“Parmanu Tech 2019” conference held in New Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Atomic Energy

The conference discussed issues related to Nuclear Energy and Radiation Technologies

• The Parmanu Tech 2019‟ conference organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Atomic Energy held in Delhi. The Union Minister for Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh delivered the detailed note in the conference. The senior officers of the DAE and foreign diplomats were also present on the occasion.
• The conference primarily discussed on the issues related to Nuclear Energy and Radiation Technologies. Dr. Jitendra Singh delivered the key speech on emphasizing about the “focused efforts required to create awareness about benefits of nuclear energy and to allay the fears about radiation and its harms”.
• In the conference, the importance of nuclear energy and its advantageous uses for the constructive purposes were discussed. The Union Minster mentioned that India has achieved a unique place in the international community for progress in space technology as well as nuclear energy. He said India has always used technology for constructive use and never for destructive purpose.
• The Minister said that it is a dilemma that most of the societal applications of nuclear energy are not much known to the people. India has covered a long journey since inception of Atomic Energy program by Dr Homi Bhabha based on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
• The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Shri K. N. Vyas said that the conference aims at showcasing the societal applications that DAE is pursuing. He said that role of radio isotopes in industry and health care is well known.

Other Specific sessions were held with Panel discussions

• Health care: Nuclear Medicine and Radiation therapy – Care to cure: with themes including Cancer care (TMH), Radio-pharmaceuticals & RIA kits, Gamma Chambers, Blood irradiators, Bhabhatron, Brachytherapy, Stereotactic Neurosurgery and international cooperation, etc.
• Food Preservation, Agricultural & Industrial Applications: From farms to factories – Serving the National Cause, with themes including Nisargruna, Food Irradiator, improved seeds varieties, water purification technologies, urban waste management technologies, industrial application of radioisotopes and radiation technologies particularly in petroleum industry for monitoring process lines, breakdown maintenance, dredging operations in sea ports, non-destructive techniques, technologies developed by ECIL and Heavy Water Board.
• Showcasing India’s capabilities in Nuclear Energy: Energy Security with environmental responsibility – the Onward March, with themes including GCNEP and India‟s Nuclear power program.

A brief note on Department of Atomic Energy

• The Department of Atomic Energy is a department directly under the Prime Minister of India with headquarters in Mumbai.
• It was established in 1954 by a Presidential Order. DAE has been engaged in the developement of nuclear power technology, applications of radiation technologies in the fields of agriculture, medicine, industry and basic research.

Pic courtesy:Devdiscourse