It is indeed a good article published by Indian daily, DNA (Upfront) on May 22, 2009 entitled “Centre Sounds Dirty Bomb alert… . The article has given very relevant information with regard to the developments in preparedness for responding to “dirty bomb attacks”. The story is well written. It is long over-due that the bomb detection and other agencies responding to conventional bomb attacks are also equipped with radiation detection and monitoring equipments.
Recently, a national conference of Indian Association for radiation protection (IARP) was held at Jodhpur with the focal theme of “Management of Radiological & Nuclear Emergencies”. Various related issues were covered exhaustively in the conference. In the internet, there are blogs (http://radsafe.blogspot.com and http://praja2007.blogspot.com) dedicated for radiation protection and nuclear issues. Dirty bomb is also covered in these blogs.
I may just add that the definition “What is dirty bomb” (in the FAQs), given by the author in this article needs correction. The dirty bomb, as known today, doesn’t cause plume of radioactive particles. It is not a nuclear bomb. The probability of the radiation levels from a dirty bomb explosion scenario causing radiation sickness and cancer is very remote.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Pakistan is expanding its nuclear sites
United States and some other western country are pumping in billions of dollars to Pakistan to control terrorism. In fact, the money is reportedly is used to maintain camps for training terrorist outfits, to buy weapons and to increase nuclear weapon inventory.
It is also reported that Pakistanis have added one more plutonium separation plant to expand its’ nuclear weapon stockpile.
Even today, the biggest enemy as per Pakistan’s own admission is India and not Taliban. It is also reported that the US arms sent to Afghan forces have landed in the hands of Taliban. Very soon, the Taliban may take possession of the government machinery and get control over the nuclear arsenal. India may face the “Taliban-managed” nuclear terrorism originating from Pakistan. India should be ready to respond to this kind of terrorism.
It is also reported that Pakistanis have added one more plutonium separation plant to expand its’ nuclear weapon stockpile.
Even today, the biggest enemy as per Pakistan’s own admission is India and not Taliban. It is also reported that the US arms sent to Afghan forces have landed in the hands of Taliban. Very soon, the Taliban may take possession of the government machinery and get control over the nuclear arsenal. India may face the “Taliban-managed” nuclear terrorism originating from Pakistan. India should be ready to respond to this kind of terrorism.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
US helping Pakistan to expand its nuclear weapon program
United States and some other western country are pumping in billions of dollars to Pakistan in the name of fighting terrorism. In fact, Pakistan, as usual will spend the dollars to build arsenal, including nuclear weapons to fight against India. There are reports of Taliban getting closer to have control over the nuclear weapons. If this continues, the Pakistan under the influence of Taliban will be a threat to the world, including America. Pakistan can never be trusted.
The new US President continues to have policies which are against Indian interests. Obama administration is doing more harm to India than the earlier Republican administration headed by Bush. Why Indian government should play into US hands?
Now, with the Indian public support (the ruling UPA government wins the elections with very good margin) to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, US may ultimately persuade India to sign CTBT and the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT), which will prevent India from producing much needed fissile material and US administration will have full control over the Indian Nuclear programs
The new US President continues to have policies which are against Indian interests. Obama administration is doing more harm to India than the earlier Republican administration headed by Bush. Why Indian government should play into US hands?
Now, with the Indian public support (the ruling UPA government wins the elections with very good margin) to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, US may ultimately persuade India to sign CTBT and the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT), which will prevent India from producing much needed fissile material and US administration will have full control over the Indian Nuclear programs
Monday, May 11, 2009
Nuclear Security Initiatives in Southeast Asia Get Financial Support from Australia
Australia announced a contribution of €250 000 (A$450 000) to strengthen nuclear security in Southeast Asia through the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund initiative.
The Fund is a voluntary funding mechanism for Member States established to support the IAEA´s activities in nuclear security aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to nuclear terrorism. The grant reflects the high priority the Australian Government attaches to the work of the IAEA in this area and also to promoting capacity-building with regional partners, states a press release issued by Australia´s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Originally set up in 2002 for a period of three years, the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund was extended in September 2005 when the IAEA Board approved a new Nuclear Security Plan covering the period 2006-2009. Implementation of this plan has been almost wholly dependent on the donation of extra-budgetary contributions by Member States and others (IAEA News). This is a good initiatve which should be supported by all the Member States. Look at Pakistan. Are the nuclear weapons are in safe hands?
Nuclear terrorism should be stopped at all costs.
The Fund is a voluntary funding mechanism for Member States established to support the IAEA´s activities in nuclear security aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to nuclear terrorism. The grant reflects the high priority the Australian Government attaches to the work of the IAEA in this area and also to promoting capacity-building with regional partners, states a press release issued by Australia´s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Originally set up in 2002 for a period of three years, the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund was extended in September 2005 when the IAEA Board approved a new Nuclear Security Plan covering the period 2006-2009. Implementation of this plan has been almost wholly dependent on the donation of extra-budgetary contributions by Member States and others (IAEA News). This is a good initiatve which should be supported by all the Member States. Look at Pakistan. Are the nuclear weapons are in safe hands?
Nuclear terrorism should be stopped at all costs.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
IAEA Director General Candidates Announced
IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei´s term of office expires on 30 November 2009. He has stated that he is not available for a fourth term of office. The IAEA´s 146 Member States were advised this week that five candidates have been nominated for Director General of the Agency. In a letter dated 28 April 2008, IAEA Board Chair Taous Feroukhi said she had received official nominations from the governments of Belgium, Japan, Slovenia, South Africa and Spain.
The five nominated candidates are:
Mr. Yukiya Amano of Japan;
Mr. Luis Echávarri of Spain;
Mr. Abdul Samad Minty of South Africa;
Mr. Ernest Petrič of Slovenia; and
Mr. Jean-Pol Poncelet of Belgium.
The five candidates were nominated by their respective governments in line with a process approved by the Board in October 2008. IAEA Board Chairperson Ms. Feroukhi is soon to initiate informal consultations on the nominations received (IAEA News).
The five nominated candidates are:
Mr. Yukiya Amano of Japan;
Mr. Luis Echávarri of Spain;
Mr. Abdul Samad Minty of South Africa;
Mr. Ernest Petrič of Slovenia; and
Mr. Jean-Pol Poncelet of Belgium.
The five candidates were nominated by their respective governments in line with a process approved by the Board in October 2008. IAEA Board Chairperson Ms. Feroukhi is soon to initiate informal consultations on the nominations received (IAEA News).
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Developing Strategies for Cancer Care
One size doesn’t fit all in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Machines that are heralded as breakthroughs in technological wizardry in developed countries may not be equally beneficial to patients in low and middle income states.
This is why more than 400 cancer therapy specialists from 100 countries are meeting in Vienna during 27-29 April at an IAEA event to discuss modern techniques in radiation treatment and how to apply them in developing countries. Major national and international organizations in the field of radiation oncology are also taking part in the conference. This event will benefit developing countries by putting things into perspective.
Many of the advances in radiation oncology that are unveiled at international forums every year are not only expensive but untried and sometimes even experimental. It’s more crucial for developing countries to understand which of the current treatments and approaches can be best applied considering the challenges they face, like limited human and financial resources. The meeting is expected to promote information sharing between low, middle and high income countries, so that cancer care can be improved in the long term (IAEA News).
This is why more than 400 cancer therapy specialists from 100 countries are meeting in Vienna during 27-29 April at an IAEA event to discuss modern techniques in radiation treatment and how to apply them in developing countries. Major national and international organizations in the field of radiation oncology are also taking part in the conference. This event will benefit developing countries by putting things into perspective.
Many of the advances in radiation oncology that are unveiled at international forums every year are not only expensive but untried and sometimes even experimental. It’s more crucial for developing countries to understand which of the current treatments and approaches can be best applied considering the challenges they face, like limited human and financial resources. The meeting is expected to promote information sharing between low, middle and high income countries, so that cancer care can be improved in the long term (IAEA News).
Friday, April 10, 2009
Nuclear knowledge is available online - free
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is making its International Nuclear Information System (INIS) available for free to Internet users around the world. Established in 1970, the INIS processes most of the world’s scientific and technical literature on a wide range of subjects from nuclear engineering, safeguards and non-proliferation to applications in agriculture and health. It is the world’s leading database on the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
The information provided in INIS comes from reliable sources like the national atomic energy authorities in Member States. As such, it can be trusted by the end user.
Following a pilot test project, free, open and unrestricted access to the INIS Online Database is now available from the INIS homepage to all internet users worldwide. No registration is required.
The information provided in INIS comes from reliable sources like the national atomic energy authorities in Member States. As such, it can be trusted by the end user.
Following a pilot test project, free, open and unrestricted access to the INIS Online Database is now available from the INIS homepage to all internet users worldwide. No registration is required.
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