Fukushima is a lesson to be learnt but not to be afraid of, as nuclear energy is inevitable for the progress of the nation, M. Sai Baba, Associate Director of Resources Management Group at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam, has said. Safety regulations Interacting with the media at a workshop on media awareness on nuclear energy organised by the Centre for Science Communication and Directorate of Public Relations and Publications at Cochin University of Science and Technology on Thursday, Dr. Baba said that the Fukushima incident has shown that “we need to have certain safety regulations”. Stating that the Japanese have started operating a reactor since the Fukushima crisis, Dr. Baba said that energy requirement is so high that all forms of energy are required for a country. “Nuclear energy is a long-term energy option for the country,” he said. In France Pointing out that the nuclear share of total electricity generated in France is about 75 per cent, Dr. Baba said that U.S. is operating nearly 104 nuclear reactors. Advantages Radiation technology has several advantages and it could be used in areas like genetic improvement of crop plants and development of new varieties. Radiation processing will help in shelf-life extension of products and also open up new markets in agriculture aimed at the welfare of the farmers, he said. K. K. Rajan, Director of Fast Reactor Technology Group at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research; M. T. Jose, Head of Radiation Safety Section, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, and Soman Thomas, Additional Chief Engineer (FE), Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, were among the speakers on the occasion. Dr. Baba said that the U.S. is operating nearly 104 nuclear reactors.