Guru Nanak Dev University organized the 101th DAE-BRNS-IANCAS National Workshop

5 Dariya News

Amritsar 24-Feb-2020

The  Department of Physics of Guru Nanak Dev University organized  the 101th DAE-BRNS-IANCAS National Workshop on Radiochemistry and Application of  Radioisotopes  for  SEVEN days  for  the Faculty of Indian Universities/Colleges and Research Scholars at  the Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with the Indian Association of Nuclear  Chemists and Allied Scientist (IANCAS), Radiochemistry Division of  Bhabha Atomic  Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.In this  workshop, although 100 applications were  received  from  wide  range of colleges from different  parts of India and 40  applicants were  selected   finally  to attend  this  workshop. This workshop being a part  of  DAE-BRNS has certainly provided a great forum for mutual interaction among faculty members from  different  colleges/universities  and Scientists from BARC.This  workshop  which  started  on  17th Feb.,2020 with an inaugural  Lecture by Dr. Vivek Bhasin, Director, Nuclear Fuel  group, BARC whereby he emphasized  upon the present scenario about  the INDIAN  NUCLAR  INDUSTRY. This was followed by inaugural  speech  by Dr. P.K Pujari  , who gave  the  details  about  the various activities undertaken by  IANCAS throughout India..

During all the  seven  days, the resource  persons  from BARC were Dr. P.C. Kalsi , Dr. Arnab  Sarkar, Dr. Ankita  Rao, Dr. Tarak Nath Nag ,Shi Shishu Kant  Suman  and  Shri  Sandeep C.Vishwasrao, who delivered their Lectures on  wide range of topics on Radiation  detectors including SSNTDs & their applications, Radioactivity  & decay, Radiochemistry & applications of Radioisotopes, Integration of radiation with  matter, Radiations and their health affects, Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear waste management, nuclear reactions, Applications of radioisotopes & their applications in industry, research, health care   & agriculture  were  discussed. During  these seven days, all these lectures were also supplemented by laboratory experiments in evening sessions  for the benefit of the participants. Dr. B.S Bajwa, Director Workshop also delivered a lecture on  the  uranium  distribution studies in SW and Northern Punjab, indicating alarming  situation  about uranium in groundwater in SW Punjab  and suggesting  that the groundwater extraction  must  be  stopped  and preference  should  be  given to the surface  water  for  domestic &  agricultural  purposes.  

Dr Inderpreet Kaur, Convener of  the  Workshop said that  this  type of workshop is quite fulfilling  the  need of  hour as it is  going to remove the public fear about  the  radioactivity.She also said that   all  the participants whole heartedly participated in the  morning lecture sessions as well as  the practical  sessions in the  evening. At  the  valedictory function  held  on  23rd Feb. 2020 in the Department of Physics, Prof. B.S Bajwa summarized about the workshop.Dr. B.S.Tomar, President IANCAS, BARC, Mumbai, was the Chief Guest of  the  function. He  gave a quite informative and interesting talk  on  Radiological Safety Aspects , emphasizing  upon the health  aspects  of  radiation  safety  from nuclear  radiations and  discussed upon various  steps  being taken to  prevent public from radiation  dose & their  harmful  affects. He  indicated  that the  radiation  dose around nuclear reactors  is  the  least  thus  removing  the  fear-psychosis from  the  minds of  the general  public. He  said that even we  are  receiving  more  radiation  dose  from  the  natural  background,  thus indicating  that  the  Nuclear  Reactors are quite  safe   from  all  aspects. He also handed over  a  nuclear instrument  “Scintillation  counter, having  price tag  of  Rs. 5.0  Lacs  to  the Department , which  will  be extensively utilized  by the  graduate  and postgraduate  students. Prof. S.S. Behl, Dean Academic Affairs, elaborated  upon the  steps being taken  by  the  university  in developing  the incubation & innovations  center  and stressed upon  the  faculty  members  that  they can come  forwarded in  submitting  different research proposal in  collaboration  with  the  BARC  Scientists  under  the RUSA  grant  being  provided  by  the  University. The certificates  to  all the 40  participants  were  also  given  by  the  DAA  and  President  IANCAS. The feedback about the workshop was taken from the participants. Certificates were distributed to the participants and prizes to the best participants who took part in the Quiz organized to assess their performance, were distributed by Dr  B.S. Tomar, President  IANCAS. Vote of Thanks from IANCAS was presented by Dr. Ankita Rao and from the host institute, vote of Thanks was also presented by Prof. D. P Singh.