R. Chidambaram hopes NDA government will not toe the line of the previous regime

Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet R. Chidambaram said ‘many people’ were of the opinion that the previous Central government did not encourage the development of energy from thorium.

Addressing employees of the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) here on Saturday at the birth centenary celebrations of Dr. A. S. Rao, founder managing director of ECIL, Dr. Chidambaram said, “I hope the present government will help in pushing for it.”

Recalling Dr. Rao’s life and time at ECIL, he said that apart from work at ECIL, the former also suggested to start a school for helpers, so that they can finish their matriculation, which showed how humble he was. “Also, in spite of the nuclear field not developing sufficient markets, ECIL found markets for itself, including in defence,” mentioned Dr. Chidambaram. He also stated that Dr. Rao was against using foreign technology.

Recounting an incident, Dr. Chidambaram recalled, “During the war with China, we realised that communication in the northern areas of the country was very poor, so the Troposcater antennae was thought of and Ford Aerospace offered to help with its know-how. However, Dr. Rao said he did not want anything to do with foreign technology, because we would not learn anything that way.” Prof. P. Rama Rao, Member, Atomic Energy Commission, who was the guest of honour at the event, also recalled the hardships faced by Dr. Rao in his growing years .