Scientific Advisor to the Central Government Dr R Chidambaram on Wednesday said that the application of nuclear energy is not only for power generation, but is also effective for agriculture, medical and various other fields.
He was delivering a lecture on ‘Innovation, Knowledge Economy’ at the 12th Young Scientist Conclave, jointly organised by Pt Ravishankar University Raipur and Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology in the city. Making clear the role of nuclear energy in the development and security of the country, Dr Chidambaram said that the application of nuclear energy is not only for power, but effective in agriculture, electricity generation, medical and various other areas also.
With the joint efforts of Bhabha Research Centre Mumbai and Uttarakhand Government, seepage problem in the lakes on the mountains have been solved by using nuclear isotops. Using isotopic iodine, thyroid function could be known. Dr Chidambaram made it clear that research should be innovative and application of research should also be done. Research would be fruitful, when its benefits would reach to the villagers living in the far-flung areas also.
He said that at present, it was necessary to reach the benefits of research based on Gandhian concept to common people. The gravity-based ropeway in Uttarakhand is the result of that. Common people are getting the benefit of it. IIT Kharagpur in association with NGO is working in this direction, he added. Dr Chidambaram said that the link of scientific research should be with economy and society. For the global leadership in science, continuous work should be done in the sectors of science, technology, manufacturing and basic research.
Citing the example of Ramanujam, he said youths themselves should take decision of their future and should be prepared to take risk with research. Dr Chidambaram said that basic research is the cultural need of any civilised society.