Vol. 58 No. 43 • May 23, 2017

The word ‘nuclear’ brings to our mind fear and destruction. The memories of Hiroshima & Nagasaki still haunt us. The thought of nuclear war brings to our mind the picture of total annihilation. However, nuclear science has a constructive and positive side as well.

Its use in medicine is legendary. Did you know that MRI’s used so often for diagnostics were earlier called NRMIs (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The word ‘nuclear’ was dropped as patients did not want to get into a machine that was nuclear. They thought that anything nuclear would harm or kill them. Hence, it was renamed MRI, which today, together with radiation, CAT scans, and ultrasound machines are a boon in diagnostics and treatment for millions of patients.

Besides medicine, nuclear energy is also a great source for generation of electricity. India has large indigenous nuclear power projects that aim to supply 25 per cent of electricity from nuclear power by year 2050. This will reduce the use of fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions, reducing environmental diseases such as allergies, asthma and respiratory ailments. It will also lead to saving costs of energy production and using the money saved towards the greater needs of our country, such as sanitation, health and education.

Science and scientists have empowered us with a good quality of life. We as Rotarians should celebrate the success of scientists more than celebrating a cricket victory or the success of a movie like Bahubali.

Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai VIGYAN!