Sekhar Basu is a nuclear scientist and is currently the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Prior to his assumption of charge as Secretary, DAE, he has served as the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), India's premier multi-disciplinary R&D centre. He has also worked as the Project Director of Nuclear Submarine Programme and later as the Chief Executive of the Nuclear Recycle Board in the same institute.
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Education and Career
Sekhar Basu did his schooling from Ballygunge Government High School, Kolkata and graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, University of Mumbai in 1974.
After completion of one year of BARC Training School programme in nuclear science and engineering, he took up the responsibility of the development of nuclear submarine propulsion plant. He continues to guide the Indian nuclear propulsion programme for the sea-going versions.
He had also been proactively engaged in the design, development, construction and operation of nuclear recycle plants at Tarapur, Maharashtra and Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, involving reprocessing and nuclear waste management. His efforts are credited with bringing perfection in technology, which provided major boost to the Indian nuclear power programme.
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Augmentation of Nuclear Power in India
Sekhar Basu has accelerated the pace of Nuclear Power deployment in India. In May 2017, the Government of India has given approval to DAE's plan for construction of 10 Pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) and 2 Pressurized water reactors (PWRs). This move will significantly augment the nuclear power generation capacity and India has taken up simultaneous construction of 21 reactors. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is in advanced stage of commissioning.
Under his supervision, DAE has initiated actions for multi-fold rise in uranium exploration and mining in India.
He has overseen the launch of various important projects of the Department of Atomic Energy including the commercial power production of the second 1000 MWe nuclear reactor of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The construction of two more nuclear power plants, KKNPP Units 3&4, of the same capacity has been started in June 2017.
Thrust to Healthcare and Societal Applications of radiation
Under his supervision, construction/up-gradation of six hospitals has been initiated for serving about 1.5 Lakh new patients every year. Major thrust has been imparted for the development of indigenous cancer care drugs.
In May, 2017, under the supervision of Sekhar Basu, a Litchi Treatment Plant has been set up at the National Litchi Research Centre, Mushahari, in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. The plant, based on the technology developed at BARC, can preserve Litchi for 60 days and has opened new export avenues.
He has supervised setting up of first plant in India being commissioned to treat 100 tons/day sludge and produce manure using a fully automatic process at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The plant uses radiation technology to hygienise the sludge reliably and affordably and protects health and environment. Action for setting up similar plants in other cities has also been initiated.
Contributions to Strategic and Mega-Science Projects
Mega science projects involving high energy Superconducting Accelerators, Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO), International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) have got major boost under the leadership of Sekhar Basu. While pursuing basic research in science and engineering, he is currently pursuing enrichment and other strategic programmes on priority.
Societal Outreach Initiatives
Sekhar Basu has strengthened the public outreach activities for spreading awareness about the technologies fostered by DAE among the general public. On 26 January 2017, on the occasion of Republic Day (India), he launched the maiden campaign of DAE on the popular micro-blogging platform Twitter. In sync with the Startup India Skill India programme, he has put special thrust on deliverables for making spin-off technologies available for emerging entrepreneurs across the country.
Professional Affiliations, Awards and Honours
He has several publications to his credit and has been conferred Indian Nuclear Society Award 2002 and DAE Awards in 2006 and 2007. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT). He has been awarded Honoris Causa Doctorate degrees by 8 universities and was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2014.
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External links
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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