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.