Editorial

The accident that happened with cobalt-60 in Delhi is an eye-opener. In this case, the source has been sold as scrap and handled as a scrap by sawing the container. This has resulted in serious radiation damage for a few persons.

Now that India is a nuclear power, we have to be extra-careful in stringent enforcement of our laws regarding civilian uses of radioactive materials as tracers or even in medical therapy. Every gram that is sold should be monitored with regular checks. Every medical equipment using X-rays or y-rays or tracers should be handled only by persons trained-to be sensitive about radiation, not only caring for the doctor's health but also that of the patients.

Nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry and particularly health physics has to be taught in school. Fire-fighting should include courses in handling nuclear disasters. Civilian population should be taught how to protect themselves against nuclear explosions. This knowledge has to be universal.

We cannot wait for the day of disaster to take precautions. In every developed country they have nuclear shelters. Building nuclear shelters and sensitisation of the population for confronting a nuclear war in no way decrease our trust in our friendly neighbours but we cannot put total confidence in their ability to control their own country.

By having powerful deterrents, even U.S.A. and Russia have become more friendly than ever.

Only by being a powerful nation, we can be of greater service to the world.