Scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) feel there is a great need to enhance per capita consumption of nuclear energy in India and the little use at present is mainly because of non-availability of this crucial energy. In an interaction with scientists and academicians of Himachal Pradesh University here on Friday, BARC’s Analytical Chemistry Division head Dr. A.V.R. Reddy said it has become vital that nuclear energy, which could be a cost-effective and environment-friendly option, is harnessed on a large scale. While talking about the atomic energy programme of India and applications of isotopes, Dr. Reddy, who is also Secretary of BRNS (Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences), discussed nuclear energy technology including the science and art of building of nuclear reactors for transformation of energy for peaceful purposes. At present in India the share of nuclear energy in the total energy stock is just 3.8 per cent. It should be increased to match at least the 18 per cent average at the global level. In countries like France, where the nuclear energy contributes up to 70 per cent of the total energy, apart from the economic gains the environmental benefits from nuclear energy are very high. “So India has to build its nuclear energy programme at a much faster pace especially promoting its three-stage thorium-based programme,” said the scientist. BARC has emphasised that there is a strong need to educate all the stakeholders and society in general to understand that the Indian Atomic Energy Programme accords top priority to the issue of nuclear safety. Further, there are many misconceptions about the use of nuclear energy which is not only used in energy economy but also in many activities that directly affect the lives of people such as radio-diagnostics and radio-medicine. The radiation technology is used in making food safe from bacterial or fungal infection thus saving lost of foodstuff. Many DAE-based procedures of radiation technology have FAO approval. At present there are many agro-based products such as onion, garlic, ginger, mango, cereals and pulses whose productivity or shelf life has been enhanced by the use of radio-technology thus promoting food security. The Central Department of Energy and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre are innovating and promoting such programmes at fast pace and transferring technology to society at highly affordable costs. BRNS would give fellowships to students for working on various research projects on nuclear energy issues, said Professor Ghanshyam Chauhan, head of the University’s Chemistry Department. “Share of nuclear energy in total energy stock is 3.8%”