Public Awareness Division (PAD), DAE had organized the Second Journalists’ Workshop in collaboration with the National Union of Journalists, (NUJ) School of Journalism during March 26 – 29, 2018 at IGCAR, Kalpakkam. In this workshop, 24 journalists from various print and electronic media across India participated. During the workshop, talks were delivered by senior official of various units on its activities and achievements especially for societal benefits. HWB also participated in this workshop along with other DAE units namely BARC, IGCAR, BRIT, NFC etc.

Dr. U. Kamachi Mudali, Chairman and Chief Executive HWB, made a presentation on “Non-nuclear Application of Heavy Water” emphasizing its use for medical purposes in form Deuterated Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). During his talk, he highlighted the HWB’s efforts in developing various advance technologies. The outstanding performance exhibited by HWB in the field of Isotope Separation, Organo-phosphorous Solvent Production & NMR Solvents was detailed. The advances made in the field of D-labeled compounds, Nuclear Grade Sodium Metal Production, Recovery of Rare Metals from alternate routes, Production of He, Application of Deuterium Depleted Water for medicinal purposes etc. were also show cased.

The presentation of Dr. U. Kamachi Mudali was very well received by the media persons and generated lot of interest in the activities of HWB especially in the field of societal applications. The excellent audio video presentation was followed by a question answer session from the audience i.e. media personnel. Notable among the media to interact extensively were Mrs. Deepa Ramakrishnan of The Hindu group, Mr. Pradeep of Time of India; Mr. Ashok Malik, Chairman NUJ; Mr. Pankaj Vasudeva, Chief Sub-Editor The Tribune, Chandigargh & Mr. Vijay Kranti, Senior Consulting Editor, DD News, Delhi. The question answer session was followed by the continued interaction at the exhibition stall of HWB. Shri M. Shankar, Senior Reporter, Dinamalar also interacted during this exhibition. Shri Pranav Bagala, Editor was seen closely interacting with Dr. Mudali on variety of topics during exhibition and lunch time. This one to one interaction was immensely useful in conveying the HWB’s societal mission to media in particular and masses through them at large. On completion of his presentation, Dr. Mudali was presented a Memento by Shri Ashok Malik, Chairman NUJ.

The penultimate session had two important presentations i.e. one by Dr. U. Kamachi Mudali on “Non-nuclear Application of Heavy Water” and second by Mr. Pallav Bagla, Science Editor NDTV as NUJ resource person. Both the presentations evinced lot of interest and curiosity in the DAE activities at large and HWB’s societal welfare endeavor.

To showcase the various activities of DAE, an exhibition was organized in the annexed venue wherein all the participating organization of DAE put up there exhibits as display bringing out the societal applications of atomic energy. As usual HWB’s exhibit stall had its unique place showcasing all the products in physical form depicting the true picture of “Make in India” capability of HWB. The HWB’s exhibition had a combination of displays comprising of Roll-up standees, physical samples, photographs and other products.

The Programme was concluded by a panel discussion in the valedictory function. The valedictory function was chaired by Dr. A. K. Bhaduri, Director, IGCAR along with Dr. U. Kamachi Mudali, CE, HWB and Shri Ravishankar, Head, PAD, DAE. The dignitaries on the dais and all media person were felicitated in traditional manner. The list of media personnel and their contact details is given in Annexure-I.

The above workshop was represented by Shri A. K. Narang, Head (HRD &PA), Shri Niraj Kumar, SO/F and Smt. S. Satyashwini, SO/D from HWB.

Glimpses of the Programme

CE, HWB interacting with media person during the DAE-NUJ workshop

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