Dr R.K. Sinha takes over as Chairman AEC and Secretary to GOI Dept. of Atomic Energy

Dr. Srikumar Banerjee, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy remitted his office on Monday, April 30, 2012 on superannuation after about 45 years of distinguished service in the Department. Dr. Ratan Kumar Sinha, Director, BARC took over charge from Dr. S. Banerjee in a simple ceremony held at the Headquarters of the Department in Mumbai.
Dr. Banerjee, who led the Department for the last two and a half years, while relinquishing charge said that he goes with a feeling of satisfaction and pride and considers himself to have been fortunate to have spent his professional life at DAE. He emphasised the continuity of the programme of DAE which has both short term and long term goals for expanding the nuclear installed capacity in the country for making larger contribution to the energy sector. He also emphasised on expansion in deployment of other technologies being pursued by the Department for larger societal benefits. He said that the major decisions taken in DAE are always through a series of consultative group discussions. He expressed full confidence that change of guard will not result in any major deviation in the Department’s XII Plan programme which has recently been finalised.
Dr. Sinha, while thanking Dr. Banerjee, assured that he will continue to work towards fulfilment of all the expectations of the nation from the Department of Atomic Energy, with a mission of achieving our defined goals as fast as possible and, through innovation, provide additional services to the society at large. He further said that DAE has been contributing to building the strength of the nation through its programmes, starting with basic research and extending to deliveries to provide national security, energy security, food security, water security and health security to the nation. On the way, a large range of technological and scientific deliveries provide spin-off benefits to the nation as a part of our mandate.
A biodata of Dr. R.K. Sinha is attached herewith along with a couple of photographs of the handing over/taking over ceremony.
You are requested to give it a wide publicity in your esteemed Newspaper/Channel for the benefit of your readers/viewers.

 

                     Bio-Data of Dr. Ratan Kumar Sinha

 Dr. Ratan Kumar Sinha graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Patna University in 1972, standing first in the University. After completing the one year Course of BARC Training School he joined Reactor Engineering Division of BARC in the year 1973. At present he is serving as Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
Dr. Sinha has been guiding the programmes for new advanced reactors under design and development at BARC to utilise thorium. These include, the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor, which produces most of its power from thorium, and has several innovative passive safety systems. He is also responsible for the design and development of the Indian High Temperature Reactor intended for hydrogen generation. As a part of the work, he has guided the design of the Compact High Temperature Reactor, which will serve as a technology demonstrator for future larger high temperature reactors.
Dr. Sinha is a nationally and internationally recognised expert in the area of nuclear reactor technology. He has represented India in several important forums of the International Atomic Energy Agency. These include the Steering Committee of the IAEA’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), of which he was chairman for four years.
Dr. Sinha has received several awards and honours. These include the Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award, VASVIK Award, Indian Nuclear Society Award, DAE Special Contributions Award and Prof. SN Mitra Memorial Award 2011. Dr. Sinha was conferred the honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) degree by the University of Mysore. He was elected a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering in 1998 and a Member of the International Nuclear Energy Academy in 2010.