Renowned scientist Dr Sekhar Basu, who has played a key role in developing and guiding India’s nuclear propulsion programme for the sea going versions, took charge as the new Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) on Friday.
Dr Basu, who was earlier the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), has replaced Dr Ratan Kumar Sinha, who superannuated on Friday after serving the Department for close to 42 years. After assuming charge as the AEC Chairman and Secretary to the DAE, Dr Basu thanked his predecessor Dr Sinha and said he would do his best to contribute to the advancement of nuclear science and to meet the societal objectives to serve the nation.
“The benefits of atomic energy are multifaceted. The atomic energy’s contribution to health, food and water security is as important as energy security,” Dr Basu aid, adding that he would accord top priority towards the completion of our ongoing projects including augmentation of domestic production of uranium.
While relinquishing his office, Dr Sinha — who had led the DAE for about three and a half years, said: “The DAE has a special mandate that bridges range of activities from basic science to final deliveries in multiple dimensions for growth of the nation. I have had the great satisfaction of being a part of this Department for the last 42 years and for having been witness to many historical developments of far reaching impacts.
Today, while I am relinquishing office, I go with full confidence that the DAE will continue to move further to fulfil its mandated deliveries to meet the progressively increasing needs of the country”.
Before taking up his new assignment as the AEC Chairman and Secretary to the DAE, Dr Basu was the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Earlier, he had worked as the Project Director of Nuclear Submarine Programme and later as the Chief Executive of the Nuclear Recycle Board in the same institute.