NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BARC TECHNOLOGIES  FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL INDIA (BTDRI-2009)

On the occasion of Dr Homi Bhabha's Birth Centenary Year celebrations, BARC Officer's Association (BARCOA) together with Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), inaugurated the national symposium on "BARC Technologies for Development of Rural India (BTDRI - 2009)" today at BARC Training School Hostel, Anushaktinagar.

The symposium was inaugurated by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy. In his inaugural address, he referred to the multi faceted personality of Dr. Homi Bhabha. He complimented the quality of research work carried out in BARC, where the power of technology is such that the beneficiaries create a market. Thus the technology develops a pull leading to a high adoption rate. The typical examples being Nisargruna (the bio-gas plant), BHABHATRON-II (the teletherapy machine). He referred to the radioisotope hydrology technique which has brought water to the villages in hilly areas by recharging drying springs. He asked BARCOA to encourage members to take up social causes, after meeting the demanding requirements of R&D output. 

Dr. Srikumar Banerjee, Director, BARC referred to the development brought out in rural India through application of science. Techniques such as tissue culture and radiation processing of cut flowers, have tremendous potential he emphasized and referred to initiating decentralized power programme through harnessing solar energy. BARC has made an initiation in this field and will take some time before the technology matures. He referred to the need to develop eco-friendly technologies since climate change does not distinguish between urban or rural India

Shri Sudhir Thakare, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Maharashtra referred to political, social and economic development in rural areas where threads of science and technology run through all the sectors. He complimented the role of science in bringing about green revolution and white revolution. He cautioned that science should be used carefully, lest it creates problems. The typical examples being excessive use of insecticides and pesticides, plastics and sex determination techniques. He stressed the need for affordable science for the benefit of a wider cross section.

Shri R.K. Mishra, Convenor, BTDRI-2009 and President BARCOA welcomed the audience and brought out that the objective of BARCOA in organizing present national symposium is, to bring closer all beneficiaries and to have interaction, especially in non power applications. Shri M.C. Goel, Secretary, BTDRI-2009 and Secretary BARCOA, gave vote of thanks.