Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), the second largest R&D unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), located at Kalpakkam celebrated its foundation day on April 30, 2022. Reactor Research Centre was formed on April 30, 1971 by an executive order by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the then Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. It was renamed as Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Dec ‘85.  The event also coincides with the 50th year of the ground breaking ceremony for FBTR and commencement  of Fuel Reprocessing Development  Lab.

Shri G. Nageswara Rao, Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai was the chief guest for the event. IGCAR has established an Integrated Radiation Monitoring Facility (IRMF) at Anupuram Township. This facility was  inaugurated by Shri G. Nageswara Rao, in the presence of Director, IGCAR and other senior officials on 30.04.2022 at  08.30 hrs.

Shri S Raghupathy , Director Reactor Design & Technology Group and Director, Electronics & Instrumentation group, IGCAR welcomed the gathering. He mentioned that the Centre has developed technology for sodium cooled fast reactors and associated fuel cycle.  The foundation day is celebrated in the commemoration of the establishment of the centre

Dr B. Venkatraman, Director IGCAR briefed about the activities of the Centre. He highlighted all the achievements in the past 51 years acknowledging the contributions of past and present employees in attaining these milestones. Director also said that it was truly a nostalgic moment having many of former Directors of the centre and various groups gracing the occasion. He also  told that DAE is truly Athma Nirbhar as we have developed many indigenous technology to take our programme ahead

On this occasion, Shri G R Balasubramaniam who was the founding leader of the reprocessing project, remotely inaugurated the Chopping of Uranium Oxide pins at Demonstration Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) in the presence of Chief Guest and Chairman b AERB Shri G.Nageswara Rao.  Chief Guest  released a document on  the “ Journey of FBTR- Reaching Further Heights “ and the  First Copy was received by Shri S. B. Bhoje, former Director, IGCAR. In his address Shri Nageswara Rao said that it was important for us to use the vast reserve of Thorium and take our nuclear programme ahead. Appreciating the excellent infrastructural facilities at Kalpakkam which included the schools, medical facilities, he urged the scientists and engineers to put in their best efforts and also be excellent team player.      . He also emphasised that always there would be challenges to face in nuclear technology and good leadership and team efforts are the key  to overcome them. Commending the presence of many senior retired  Directors, Group Directors and Associate Directors of IGCAR on this occasion, he  mentioned that such events  are to gather strength from the past and to rededicate ourselves to meet the targets  with compliance to  safety requirements.

Dr. D . K Sinha, Director Atomic Minerals Directorate, Hyderabad released a Booklet in hindi  on the  “Activities of IGCAR “. The *First copy was received by Shri O T G Nair, former Director (P&A), IGCAR. In his address he appreciated the Centre for bring out a booklet in  the official language.

Dr. P. R. Vasudeva Rao, Vice Chancellor, HBNI & Former Director IGCAR Distributed the best Ph.D. / M.Sc.(Engg.) / M.Tech Thesis Awards (Medals). He recollected how as a novice he was assigned the responsibility of studying the characteristics of Carbide fuel for FBTR. He emphasized the need for  academic research and their being catalyst  in solving challenges faced by the Department.

Dr Shankar V Nakhe, Director Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore, distributed the “Certificates of Appreciation” to students completing Ph.D. / M.Sc.(Engg.) / M.Tech Thesis & also released the  book  on  “Butterflies of Kalpakkam”.  The First copy was received by Dr. S A V Satya Murty, former Director, IGCAR.  Dr Nakhe appreciated the progress in the activities of the Centre.  Highlighting the activities of RRCAT especially in the area ofthe technologies developed by them for healthcare he suggested avenues for further collaborations between the Units.

Shri K R Sethuraman Chief Administrative officer , IGCAR delivered the Vote of Thanks. Many senior officials from various DAE Units, former Directors & Associate Directors of all the Groups and employees of IGCAR participated in the function.

 

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