R. Rajaraman Emeritus Professor of Physics, J.N.U., New Delhi
R.Rajaraman completed his PhD in theoretical physics in 1963 from Cornell University with Prof. Hans Bethe as his supervisor. He has since worked at Cornell, the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, Delhi University, and the Indian Institute of Scie

The talk will begin with a brief introduction to nuclear fission and reactors for the benefit of students and non-physicists. We will then outline the history and current status of nuclear energy around the world. India’s nuclear program will be discussed in that global context.

The progress made so far in our program and the ambitious plans for a much faster growth in the near future will be summarized. Various factors which are relevant to the success of these plans, such as the Indo-US nuclear Deal of 2008, availability of reactor fuel, the power plants proposed to be built in India by Russia, the US and France,  the post-Fukushima public concern over the hazards posed by reactors, the accident liability laws and regulatory structure governing nuclear energy etc, will all be examined.