India plans to launch SARAL (Satellite with ARGOS and ALTIKA) satellite to monitor the sea water level. SARAL satellite will carry an Altimeter (ALTIKA) for studying the sea surface heights; and ARGOS payload, which is a satellite based data collection platform.
SARAL satellite is a joint project of Indian Space Research Organisation and the French National Space Agency. The ALTIKA and ARGOS payloads are built and supplied by the French National Space Agency. The satellite building and launching are the responsibilities of Indian Space Research Organisation.
The satellite bus is under fabrication at Indian Space Research Organisation. Integration and testing of the payloads are ongoing at the French National Space Agency. The satellite is likely to be launched in 2011.
This Information was given by Sh.Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions & Parliamentary Affairs in reply to a written question in Lok Sabha today.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Nalanda University Bill
The University of Nalanda is proposed to be established under the aegis of the East Asia Summit (EAS), as a regional initiative. Government of India constituted a Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) in 2007, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Amartya Sen to examine the framework of international cooperation, and proposed structure of partnership, which would govern the establishment of this University as an international centre of education. The NMG also has representatives from Singapore, China, Japan and Thailand. The NMG has met six times. The last meeting was held in New Delhi on 2-3 August 2010.
India has initiated steps to introduce the Nalanda University Bill 2010 in the Parliament. An endowment Fund has been allocated by India in the form of a special grant for the commencement of activities and till such time the Nalanda University becomes sustainable on its own.
The Government of Bihar has acquired about 500 acres of land at Rajgir (in the vicinity of the original Nalanda University of the yore) and transferred the same to the Centre for the establishment of the Nalanda University.
The University shall have the following schools of education upon its establishment:
1. Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions
2. Historical Studies
3. International Relations & Peace Studies
4. Business Management in relation to Public Policy and Development Studies
5. Languages and Literature; and
6. Ecology and Environmental Studies
The University shall have any other school or schools as may be prescribed by the Statute.
The Government of India is prepared to provide funds for the smooth establishment and maintenance of the University. Private donations, international contributions from other foreign governments and member countries of EAS are expected on voluntary basis.
The Nalanda University is planned to be as in times past, a great seat of learning, scholarship, philosophy and statecraft. As such it will make contribution to the development and progress of the entire region in the vicinity of the University.
The university is being established as a regional initiative under the aegis of EAS. At the EAS Summit held in Thailand on 24-25 October 2009, the EAS member countries issued a Joint Press Statement which, inter-alia supported the establishment of the Nalanda University as a non-state, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus that will bring together the brightest and the most dedicated students from all countries of Asia. As regards funding, positive indications have been received from countries like Singapore, Thailand and Australia in the project. The Singapore Foreign Minister during his recent visit to India from August 1-4, 2010 announced that the Buddhist organizations in Singapore have offered funds amounting to around US$4-5 million for building a library at the proposed Nalanda University.
India has initiated steps to introduce the Nalanda University Bill 2010 in the Parliament. An endowment Fund has been allocated by India in the form of a special grant for the commencement of activities and till such time the Nalanda University becomes sustainable on its own.
The Government of Bihar has acquired about 500 acres of land at Rajgir (in the vicinity of the original Nalanda University of the yore) and transferred the same to the Centre for the establishment of the Nalanda University.
The University shall have the following schools of education upon its establishment:
1. Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions
2. Historical Studies
3. International Relations & Peace Studies
4. Business Management in relation to Public Policy and Development Studies
5. Languages and Literature; and
6. Ecology and Environmental Studies
The University shall have any other school or schools as may be prescribed by the Statute.
The Government of India is prepared to provide funds for the smooth establishment and maintenance of the University. Private donations, international contributions from other foreign governments and member countries of EAS are expected on voluntary basis.
The Nalanda University is planned to be as in times past, a great seat of learning, scholarship, philosophy and statecraft. As such it will make contribution to the development and progress of the entire region in the vicinity of the University.
The university is being established as a regional initiative under the aegis of EAS. At the EAS Summit held in Thailand on 24-25 October 2009, the EAS member countries issued a Joint Press Statement which, inter-alia supported the establishment of the Nalanda University as a non-state, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus that will bring together the brightest and the most dedicated students from all countries of Asia. As regards funding, positive indications have been received from countries like Singapore, Thailand and Australia in the project. The Singapore Foreign Minister during his recent visit to India from August 1-4, 2010 announced that the Buddhist organizations in Singapore have offered funds amounting to around US$4-5 million for building a library at the proposed Nalanda University.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Report on Green House Gas Emissions
According to the recent report prepared under the aegis of Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), the total Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions of anthropogenic origin from the sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Industry, Forestry and Wastes was of the order of 1,727 million tons of CO2 equivalent. Between 1994 and 2007, some of the sectors indicate significant growth at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in GHG emissions such as cement production (6.0%), electricity generation (5.6%) and transport (4.5%). The report only provides the sources and the estimations of emission of GHGs. The analysis of the energy intensities and efficiency related aspects were beyond the scope of the report.
The Government has released the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which outlines India’s strategy to meet the challenge of Climate Change. Two of the eight National Missions i.e. National Solar Mission and National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency relate to mitigation of emissions and include ambitious programmes aimed at generating solar power and conserving energy. Energy Efficiency mission envisages setting norms for achieving energy efficiency under perform, achieve and Trade Scheme. Further, public and private sector entities participate in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol which helps in reducing emissions. These initiatives have the effect of reducing carbon emissions. In addition to a range of policies and programmes taken to respond to reducing emissions, interalia, include:
(i) Setting up of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and encouraging energy conservation and introduction of energy efficiency labeling.
(ii) promoting use of renewable energy
(iii) power sector reforms and active renewable energy programme
(iv) use of cleaner and lesser carbon intensive fuel for transport
(v) fuel switching to cleaner energy
(vi) afforestation and conservation of forests
(vii) promotion of clean coal technologies
(viii) reduction of gas flaring
(ix) encouraging Mass Rapid Transport systems
(x) environmental quality management for all sectors
The Government has released the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which outlines India’s strategy to meet the challenge of Climate Change. Two of the eight National Missions i.e. National Solar Mission and National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency relate to mitigation of emissions and include ambitious programmes aimed at generating solar power and conserving energy. Energy Efficiency mission envisages setting norms for achieving energy efficiency under perform, achieve and Trade Scheme. Further, public and private sector entities participate in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol which helps in reducing emissions. These initiatives have the effect of reducing carbon emissions. In addition to a range of policies and programmes taken to respond to reducing emissions, interalia, include:
(i) Setting up of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and encouraging energy conservation and introduction of energy efficiency labeling.
(ii) promoting use of renewable energy
(iii) power sector reforms and active renewable energy programme
(iv) use of cleaner and lesser carbon intensive fuel for transport
(v) fuel switching to cleaner energy
(vi) afforestation and conservation of forests
(vii) promotion of clean coal technologies
(viii) reduction of gas flaring
(ix) encouraging Mass Rapid Transport systems
(x) environmental quality management for all sectors
Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership
India will establish a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. The Centre will be owned and managed by the Government. It will be open to international participation through academic exchanges, training and research and development efforts. The Centre is aimed at strengthening India’s cooperation with the international community in the areas of advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety and radiation technology applications in areas such as health, food and industry. This initiative was announced by Prime Minister at the Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on 13th April 2010.
A phased approach will be followed for setting up of the Centre and no expenditure has so far been incurred on the Centre.
A phased approach will be followed for setting up of the Centre and no expenditure has so far been incurred on the Centre.
Exploration of Thorium
India is known to be the only country in the world operating the Kamini reactor with Uranium 233 based fuel. The Indian Advanced Heavy Water Reactor is the only large scale reactor that has been designed and developed to produce a large fraction, nearly 2/3rd of its power from the fission of Uranium 233 in the equilibrium state of this reactor core.
In the early stages of development of nuclear energy in the world, several fuel options were investigated by different countries. These investigations also covered the use of thorium. Notably, the Shippingport Pressurised Water Reactor in United States and Arveitgemeinschaft Versuchs Reaktor (AVR) and Thorium High Temperature Reactor (THTR)-300, the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors in Germany demonstrated the use of thorium bearing fuel. However, no major programme was pursued for recycling of thorium based fuel and large scale utilization of thorium in reactors where a major component of power came from fission of Uranium 233.
India has been working on the development of technologies for Utilisation of Thorium for Nuclear Power Generation since the inception of the Indian Nuclear Programme. As a part of this work thorium has been irradiated in our Research Reactors and also in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. Technologies for reprocessing of irradiated thorium fuel for the separation of Uranium-233 have also been developed on a pilot plant scale. Uranium-233 thus separated has been used as fuel in research reactor Purnima-II and later in the 30 kw Research Reactor Kamini now in operation at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). Thorium based fuel has been manufactured and loaded in the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) critical facility for Reactor Physics experiments as well. Further development of technologies for large scale commercial level manufacture and reprocessing of Uranium 233 bearing fuels is underway.
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy has established 10.70 million tonnes of Monazite resources in the Beach sand placers along the eastern and western coast of the country as well as the inland placers in parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Jharkhand. Monazite resources contain about 9-10% of Thorium Oxide. About 8.5 lakh tonnes of thorium metal can be recovered from the said Monazite resources which will be used for future programmes of DAE.
In the early stages of development of nuclear energy in the world, several fuel options were investigated by different countries. These investigations also covered the use of thorium. Notably, the Shippingport Pressurised Water Reactor in United States and Arveitgemeinschaft Versuchs Reaktor (AVR) and Thorium High Temperature Reactor (THTR)-300, the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors in Germany demonstrated the use of thorium bearing fuel. However, no major programme was pursued for recycling of thorium based fuel and large scale utilization of thorium in reactors where a major component of power came from fission of Uranium 233.
India has been working on the development of technologies for Utilisation of Thorium for Nuclear Power Generation since the inception of the Indian Nuclear Programme. As a part of this work thorium has been irradiated in our Research Reactors and also in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. Technologies for reprocessing of irradiated thorium fuel for the separation of Uranium-233 have also been developed on a pilot plant scale. Uranium-233 thus separated has been used as fuel in research reactor Purnima-II and later in the 30 kw Research Reactor Kamini now in operation at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). Thorium based fuel has been manufactured and loaded in the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) critical facility for Reactor Physics experiments as well. Further development of technologies for large scale commercial level manufacture and reprocessing of Uranium 233 bearing fuels is underway.
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy has established 10.70 million tonnes of Monazite resources in the Beach sand placers along the eastern and western coast of the country as well as the inland placers in parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Jharkhand. Monazite resources contain about 9-10% of Thorium Oxide. About 8.5 lakh tonnes of thorium metal can be recovered from the said Monazite resources which will be used for future programmes of DAE.
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