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Chidambaram lauds BARC role in N-tests

Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr R Chidambaram on Sunday led a rousing ovation to the scientific fraternity at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for their yeoman's contribution which enabled India to create a sort of world record by conducting a series of five nuclear tests within 48 hours, on May 11 and 13, at Pokhran with clock precision.

The BARC auditorium burst into thunders of applause as Dr Chidambaram, acknowledged as the father of the Pokhran II nuclear tests codenamed Shakti 1998, showered praise on the country's premier atomic research institute for their disciplined work and dedication in accomplishing, with utmost secrecy, the very challenging scientific and technological job, and called for applause.

The capacity audience immediately stood up in a rousing ovation to the BARC team, including BARC director Dr Anil Kakodkar who captained the Shakti 1998 team.

''The challenging scientific and technological job done by BARC and Department of Atomic Energy shows the tremendous capability existing in this multi-disciplinary institute," said Dr Chidambaram. "Credit goes to the tremendous work done by Dr Kakodkar and his team, which culminated in the successful accomplishment of a phenomenal scientific task with a clockwork precision that stunned the world."

This cued another round of applause from the jubilant audience, with Dr Chidambaram drawing more applause when he said Shakti 1998 was mainly a BARC programme.

The AEC chairman pointed out that the Shakti team had created a world record of sorts. No other country in history had ever managed to detonate five nuclear devices, of different yields, within 48 hours.

Blasting critics of the tests, Dr Chidambaram said the only consideration in carrying them out was national security. "National security and national development are two sides of a single coin, and development cannot be achieved without strengthening national security," he argued.

The programme began with a video film, the highlight being images of the serial nuclear tests, and was followed by a brief question and answer session with Dr Chidambaram and other members of the test team.

Giving out details of data gathered in course of the tests, the AEC head said that India has now developed the capability to counter nuclear threats.

Both Dr Chidambaram and Dr Kakodkar took time off to thank the Indian army and air force for the help rendered to the scientific community in conducting the tests, and also lauded the patriotic spirit demonstrated by the local people who were evacuated one-and-a-half hours before the tests were carried out.

Dr Chidambaram said the people from nearly villages greeted the army jawans with enthusiasm, saying "Saahab humko maloom hai app kya karne wale hai.... Aap jo chahiye keejiye" (We are aware of what you are doing .... Please carry on).

The army provided ground support and kept the shaft ready, said Dr Chidambaram while praising the fantastic regimental discipline demonstrated by the army personnel in maintaining the secrecy of their mission for a considerable time.

Dr Chidambaram said the weather, which had played truant two days before the actual detonations, with sand storms and rain, proved benign on D-Day. Even the skies became totally clear and the wind blew in the right direction, creating ideal conditions for the tests, he added.

Dr Chidambaram and Dr Kakodkar both reiterated that there was no release of radioactivity, and the ground water table also remained unaffected during the two-day serial nuclear tests.

Dr M K Gupta, head of the Health Physics Division at BARC -- the man in control of safety measures at the test site -- said very high safety standards were maintained and in a perfect manner.

Asked by a fellow scientist why he looked sombre and glum, Dr Gupta in lighter vein riposted: "Because I did not have my breakfast."

Dr Kakodkar exhorted BARC scientists to resume their other scientific activities, to concentrate on peaceful application of atomic energy for the welfare of humanity and the development of the country.

Analysis of the data collected from the site during the tests was the next major task, Dr Kakodkar told fellow members of the BARC community.

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