Managing public perceptions about atomic energy in India

Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, in his presidential address at the first International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in Geneva in August 1955 had said 'Acquisition by man of the knowledge of how to release and use atomic energy must be recognized as the third epoch of human history'. Indeed during the last six decades, Atomic Energy has touched practically all aspects of human life and has registered its presence in almost every part of the globe. In India too, the Department of Atomic Energy set up in 1954, has been successfully pursuing a programme with a mandate to generate electricity, produce radioisotopes and develop radiation technologies with application in the areas of healthcare, food security, industry, water management, environment, R and D etc. Besides, DAE is also engaged in developing advanced technologies such as lasers, accelerator, robotics, fast computing and biosciences