Well reasearched article. If the Germans have decided to do away with the nuclear energy they certainly have a solid reason to do so. having studied in Germany, lived there for over a decade and finally understanding the very subtle German psyche-perhaps helps in understanding the complicated issue. No doubt Germans are a thorough lot in solving engineering related problems-despite the wealth amongst themselves, one thing that rattles them mentally most is that they are just not a nation of what they always intended to be-A NUCLEAR POWER or a SUPER POWER. So this was basically a reaction against the Powers that be like the US and France-who constantly monitor and keep them in check. I wonder what would be their reaction if had access to deal with Nuclear power without the Monitors. But that does not mean NP is totally safe with our famous "chalta hai" attitude. From Yeshwanth Pai in Bnagalore
RE:PM and his grandchildren........
by Narinder Singh on Oct 17, 2007 10:02 PM Permalink
INTERESTINGLY MR SINHA WHO WAS FOR THE DEAL WHEN NDA WAS IN POWER AND NOW OPPOSING IT AGAIN FOR SEEKING POWER BY TRYING TO BRING THE COLLAPSE OF UPA. AS FOR GRANDCHILDREN, I THINK THEY ARE WORRIED MORE FOR THEMSELES. From:- N S Kapur Email nskapur@hotmail.com
Probably what's more important than the small amount of electricity that will be produced is the prospect of collaboration etc in other areas, with many countries, as an indirect consequence.
Waste disposal will surely be a problem. It may be solved after power from nuclear fusion is available.
Dear Mr. Claude Arpi, Regarding your comments about disposal of nuclear waste, I think you should be aware of the technology being developed in India, called "Closed cycle", which is use of "Fast Breeder Reactors". And according to our nuclear scientists, we are very close to master that technology. This will create the nuclear reactors from which nothing "radioactive" comes out. So, I think we should not be worried much about incidents like Chernobyl. Jai Hind Amit
RE:Nuclear waste
by Shahryar Pax on Sep 30, 2007 08:49 PM Permalink
We should always worry about the repeat of incidents like Chernobyl which was purely due to human error not due to a technical fault.
this article by wonderful arpie makes one more time makes the case for a full debate - and a vote - in the parliament. only thr' the debate can the indian people come to have a balanced picture to make an intellegent decision. a parliament vote will necessitate both sides to do its very best in informing the people. at the moment the opinons are all over the place, and the author himslef says there are only a few experts on this issue and most of them have chosen to remain silent. a unilateral decision by a govt - known to have a very long record of corruption - behind closed doors is no way to run a democracy and nor is it useful for the benefit of all.
This is the first time I have seen a number and it makes me very doubtful about what 123 backers are saying.
India currently produces 4000 MW from nuclear power plants. With 123 in place, that number is going to increase by 5 times, very impressive number. But 20000 MW is about 15 percent of current usage. I cannot understand how 123 can be sold as the ultimate, final and lone solution for India's energy problem.
Also, by 2020, energy use will increase 4 times. As a result in terms of percentage nuclear power will remain basically at same level.
Do not blame the author for telling the truth. Blame dishonest politicians.
RE:In 2020 India will produce 20000 MW from nuclear power plant
by ASHOK on Sep 21, 2007 10:26 AM Permalink
sumani you are correct, Electricity generated through Nuclear route will go up 5 times.
Looking from a differrent format, it will be 7% of the than Power produced. It is 3% of todays power produce pie graph. or you can say it will be 15% ( if we take presnt scenario as the Base).
It will be great achievement and once Reactor is charged you can relax for years toghether.
Now Consider Crude OIL or LNG ( Liquified Natural Gas) . Today 73% of our consumption is imported and if Middle east pulls the plug, we are dry in JUST 3 MONTHS.
We have to develop India from all sectors. MM Singh is not selling it as an answer to India's all the Energy problems. You can revisit his all the speaches, most of them he gave from 15th August onwards.
This coming from a joker whose own country has the largest installed nuke capacity. Did he bother to ask his French PM the same question ?This is one firang in the pay of the BJP, see him weighing in on the Sethu soon.
RE:BJP's paid stooge
by Deep Indian on Sep 20, 2007 09:22 PM Permalink
Red Pascal...this joker by the way has stayed in India longer than you have and has studied about India more than what we have learnt in our entire school syllabus. The questions that has been raised by him should have been raised by our Jokers. We as citizens have made a joke of our democracy and power given to us by electing jokers. He has raised all the points for the welfare of India and its future by warning us that we could be a dumping ground for the west. So where is the harm in it? Righteous knowledge in any form and from anybody should always be welcome. But we should have the intelligence to discern the bad advice from the good one and not be like Duryodhana by dismissing every good advice.
RE:BJP's paid stooge
by Sathish N on Sep 24, 2007 09:02 AM Permalink
If someone brings up good and relevant points, we should take not of it and thank him. If not, let us call him joker and throw him out, no matter how long he has stayed in this country. In this case, my take is that claude has some good points.
RE:BJP's paid stooge
by on Sep 25, 2007 02:11 PM Permalink
you have mis spelled your name. It should have been Ped Rascal. But the question is whom are you paid by? The Red? or the green?
RE:BJP's paid stooge
by Subhadeep Paul on Sep 21, 2007 05:12 AM Permalink
Red Pascal: People like you scare me. Self righteousness like your is almost always based on half-baked knowledge or plain ignorance. But you guys always have the loudest and shrillest voices in any debate. How old are you? Claude Arpi has been living in India since 1974. He is the author of 7 books and countless articles in respected Indian journals on India and its neighbourhood. He has extensively written on Tibet and our own Kashmir problem. You should probably read at least some of them to realize that there is a world of knowledge you need to absorb before shooting off and bad-mouthing somebody who can teach you a lot about your own history and culture. If you don't agree with his points, voice your disagreement in a civilized manner. Don't bring every discussion on Rediff down to this level. Already, in any India-related internet forum worth its salt, the Rediff comments section is the butt of jokes because of the apalling quality of debate and childish jingoism, ultra-nationalism, crude religious bigotry and sometimes just plain racism. There's no need to add abuse of authors to that list.
RE:BJP's paid stooge
by on Sep 22, 2007 01:42 AM Permalink
thanks bro, for your efforts to make this rediff board clean and a place to share and learn the realities.
Each of us should promise to ourselves we would use these debates in more sensible way, this includes myself.
Very nice article, the way of presenting was excellent and neutral, just making to think and its has served the purpose of posting as an article. we would think and show our feelings, emotions and lessons learnt in polls and not in debates(I mean emotional exchange)
RE:BJP's paid stooge
by Desi on Sep 20, 2007 08:04 PM Permalink
Lets not make fun of his origins. He is welcome to stay in India! Just because Indians in foreign countries raise issues there, they are are not made fun of their origins. We should extend the same courtesy to Claude Arpi. But I would certainly like to know if he has indeed asked the same question of hios country's premier!
Author is right nuclear fuel waste disposal is a major headache with no proper solution and can be dangerous for future generations our PM just doesent care because he may not be alive after 40 years but we and our kids will still be there to suffer consequences.
RE:Author is right
by ASHOK on Sep 21, 2007 10:40 AM Permalink
It is not the PM to research on Nuclear waste disposal. Also note, it is N number of times reported that India is going for reprocessing / Also going for close cycle. Also reported is 800 to 1000 time higher MILKING of Nuclear fuel than, ONCE through technique followed in US.
Why do you disregard all this and start misleading the forum. You are fit to be 3rd rate, brain less commie , who were fighting tooth nail against compuyerisation and now perhaps can not survive without.
