Author: N Sarma
B Banerjee/
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 198
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788129113900
Description
A Critical History is an unbiased account of the trials and tribulations faced by Indian scientists while working on the country’s nuclear power programme. An engrossing account of how engineers had to overcome not just technical snags, but also political ambitions, before they succeeded in testing two powerful nuclear bombs in 1974 and 1998.
Predictably, however, the world did not take too kindly to India’s nuclear ambitions and all technical and monetary assistance that it had been receiving from other nuclear states, ceased abruptly. Not only that, these powerful nations placed various sanctions on the country, severely incapacitating its ambitious dreams of entering the coveted nuclear club. All further work on the country’s nuclear arsenal and power plants was therefore delayed. But these may now be things of the past, especially if the Indo-US nuclear deal comes through.
This interesting history of India’s declamatory entry into the Power Club also includes balanced arguments on the controversial Hyde Act.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
The Beginnings
The Case for Nuclear Power
Early Activities
Building Power Reactors
Tarapur Atomic Power Station [TAPS]
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station [RAPS]
Madras Atomic Power Station [MAPS]
Narora Atomic Power Station [NAPS]
Kakrapar Nuclear Power Station [KAPP]
Kaiga Nuclear Power Station
Heavy Water
The Russian Connection
Decline and Revival
Conclusions
Appendix AI: Homi Jehangir Bhabha
A2: Nuclear Reactors
A3: Candu Reactors
A4: The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor
A5: Fast Breeder Reactors
A6: Nuclear Weapons
A7. The India Nuclear Tests
A8. Atomic Energy Act of 1948
A9. The Atomic Energy Act 1962
A10. Heavy Water Agreement
A11. Canada-India Agreement
A12. Indo-USA Nuclear Agreement
List of Abbreviations
References
Index