priority even seismic resistant techniques are being installed. All efforts to dispose off the nuclear waste is also taken care of. Power is produced in nuclear reactors by slow chain reaction. When the chain reaction takes place rapidly, the result will be a nuclear explosion that will kill or maim a number of people as in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
At present, nuclear energy is being used in submarines, satellites, defence, etc. Each country is developing nuclear weapons to protect themselves from potential enemies. It is used beneficially in the treatment of cancer and in detecting cell damage. It is used to preserve food, so that it can save millions of people by giving them good food. It is used for desalinating sea water, which will help the water-starved nations. If nuclear power is used only for constructive purposes, it will be a great boon to mankind. But, if it is used to create tension between countries, nuclear energy will become a curse. Even a little radiation can cause deterioration to all life. So, if the countries vying with each other to develop nuclear energy for destructive purposes, make all efforts to use it for constructive means, then it will be a great boon to mankind.
- Need for alternative energy sources in India
PART – B
Energy is the currency of change in the world. It makes things happen and is literally the force driving our lives. That is why, it is in great demand always. But there is an unprecedented shortage due to population explosion and technological development. Energy has become the most important commodity, that it dictates the national as well as international policies and politics.
Energy is converted into various forms for usage in factories, transport, communication networks and myriad other operations. So far, energy from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas formed the primary source. According to the International Energy Annual, these three resources accounted for 38.74%, 23.05% and 23.75% respectively of the total world consumption of energy in 2001. Hydroelectric and nuclear electric power accounted only for 6.64% and 6.54% respectively of world’s total consumption.
India’s oil requirements are met largely with imports from abroad. Over 70% of the country’s crude oil needs are imported while domestic fields like Bombay High are showing stagnation. With war clouds in the air, gradually a steep rise in prices of petrol and diesel are. witnessed. Even if the Government takes efforts to import, India has the capacity to stock oil only for 45 days.
In 1973, the OPEC – Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries was formed. It drilled oil from the oil wells and exported to other countries. It helped to stabilize the prices by reviewing