Chennai, An awareness program named “Anu Awareness Yatra – 2023” with the theme of ‘ATOMS IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION’ is being organized by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam in association with the National Council of Science Museum (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Vigyan Bharathi – Arivial Sangam, Tamil Nadu and Indian Association for Radiation Protection. The awareness program is being organized in nodal institutions in 7 districts of Tamil Nadu and 3 of Kerala as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and also to showcase the indigenous progress in Science and Technology. The curtain raiser event was organized at IGCAR, Kalpakkam on 24^th July, 2023 at the Sarabhai Auditorium.

Dr. Vidya Sundararajan, Associate Director, Radiological & Environmental Safety Group delivered the welcome address and Dr. V. Subramanian, Head, Radiological & Environmental Safety Division highlighted the salient aspects of this particular “Anu Awareness Yatra – 2023”.

Dr. B. Venkatraman, Director, IGCAR delivered the presidential address outlining the genesis of the yatra and indicated that this yatra is organised primarily to initiate scientific curiosity amongst the students in rural areas and also to spread awareness on the necessity of nuclear energy and the spin-off technologies developed by the Department of Atomic Energy.

Ms. K. A. Sadhana, Director, Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) delivered the special address and spoke on the various activities being carried out by VITM to kindle the interest of science in the children. She also indicated that a mobile van of NSCM called ‘Science on Wheels’ would accompany this yatra in all the places to create hands-on experience for the students visiting the exhibition.

Shri Gopal Parthasarathy, State Secretary, VIBHA highlighted the activities of the Arivial Sangam and the importance of science in day-to-day life.

Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman AEC & Secretary DAE addressed the gathering through a message. In his address he mentioned

“Nuclear Energy is an essential ingredient in the energy basket of our country and in our efforts towards net zero-carbon. DAE has embarked on a fleet mode development of nuclear reactors towards this. Apart from nuclear energy, BARC is also focusing on areas such as green hydrogen. Apart from energy sector, the spin-offs from the nuclear science and technology has several societal applications. DAE has pioneered the application of radiation based technologies in health care, agriculture, food preservation, industrial sector, sludge hygenisation to name few.”

The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. S. Chandrasekaran, Head, Environment Assessment Section.

An exhibition was organized by Ms. Jalaja Madan Mohan, Head, TCPAS and her team along with NCSM, which had models of the three stages of Indian Nuclear Power Program and societal applications of Nuclear Energy which was visited by about 200 students .

The yatra was flagged off at IGCAR by Ms. K. A. Sadhana and Shri Gopal Parthasarathy in the presence of Director, IGCAR and senior officials from IGCAR.