[medico_gujarat] NUCLEAR MARVEL 98, THE WAY TO VICTORY

[dr yogesh g. patel]

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From: "dr yogesh g. patel" <dryoges...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:51:40 +0530
Subject: NUCLEAR MARVEL 98, THE WAY TO VICTORY
To: satyapravah <satya...@googlegroups.com>

NUCLEAR MARVEL 98, THE WAY TO VICTORY



http://satyapravah.blogspot.com/2010/01/nuclear-marvel-98-way-to-victory.html

http://satyapravah.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/nuclear-marvel-98-the-way-to-victory-2/



NUCLEAR MARVEL 98, THE WAY TO VICTORY


India’s Nuclear Marvel…

Indian Nuclear Scientists have created a history on the remarkable
days of 11th and 13th of the month of May in 1998 by conducting a
series of five advanced Nuclear Tests at Pokhran, Rajasthan. In common
man’s term these are described as Simultaneous Explosions, but in
scientific language, they are Near Simultaneous Explosions. These
explosions were not carried out at the same time, but at very minute
interval. The first three N-tests were spaced at some hundredth
fraction of a second. Let’s see what we have accomplished on the day
and what were the devices & technology used for that.

The first of the three N-tests on the first day was like a big Atom
Bomb, which can be carried under the wings of a Fighter Aircraft and
can be targeted at the enemy destination. It may be labeled as the
‘Conventional Atom Bomb’. The second one was a very small and can be
fitted on the tip of the Missile as Nuclear Warhead. If we call the
first one as Hi-tech, the second one may be called ‘Super’ Hi-tech.
The third explosion was of Thermo-nuclear type. Commonly it is
nicknamed in media as Hydrogen Bomb, but actually the device from
which this Hydrogen Bomb can be made is known as Thermo-nuclear
device. We have tested it here. The real Hydrogen Bomb cannot be
tested on the Earth except in the battlefield. It is an extremely
destructive and dangerous weapon.

On the first day, just half an hour after the splendid explosions,
the IAF helicopter was surveying the site. It was assessing the air
and environment. It gave ‘Safe’ signal to the control room situated
just five km. from the test-site about the overall safety. It informed
that the atmosphere was calm, there was not any kind of environmental
insult the people could move up to the test-site.

On receiving these signals, some of the senior officials and the
scientists rushed to the site taking the necessary equipment.
Geological and Ecological studies were carried out in detail. Test
analysis was going on in the control room. The work was divided in the
seventeen divisions. Each was given a target. The data and the other
details gathered by each division were analyzed. The conclusion at the
end of second hour was that there was not a trace of the nuclear
insult by the Radio-active radiations emitted following N-explosions.

Returning from the test-site, people of different departments
submitted the respective departmental reports to Dr Kalam, Dr
Chidambaram and Dr Kakodkar. The results were wondrous and delightful.
The twelve of the seventeen departments had achieved 90-92 % success.
The remaining five departments were such that Dr Kalam had eulogized
them on their accomplishments. These people had achieved 95-97 %
success. It is truly marvelous.

On the whole two things were evident. The tests were successful and
there was no insult at all to the environment. The message was
conveyed to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Behari Bajpaiji.

On the same day evening, Prime Minister addressed a Press Conference
and acquainted the world with the remarkable event. PM came with the
Tri-colour in his hand. He proclaimed in the balanced words, “Bharat
is now a Nuclear Super Power. India is now a Nuclear Weapon State.”
One meaning of the proclamation was that our nation has put forward an
important step necessary for its defence requisites on the foundation
of indigenous scientific and technological advances.

Although the immediate effects of the explosions were felt in and
around Pokhran and in some 125 villages nearby in the form of tremors
or shocks similar to earthquake waves, the political and diplomatic
tremors and jerks were felt in each and every nook and corner of the
world. The derogatory reactions in very stiff, venomous and
non-diplomatic languages began pouring in. The questions asked in the
foreign and some local media were like, “Are they crazy?” “Are they
lunatics?”

In political field usually such antinational and abusive language is
avoided. Instead of commending India and the scientists for their
extraordinary achievement, there was a battery of insane, derogatory
and malicious criticisms. They expressed the fear that it would
accelerate the arms-race already going on in South Asia.

But the common man was delighted. Their reactions were authoritative
as if one was the eyewitness to the event. After returning back to
Pune at the end of May, I was looking into the newspapers and the
magazines of 12-14th May and around. In one daily newspaper of 12th
May, the caricature was very specific. Two vegetable vendors sitting
on a roadside were talking to each other. One tells the other, “I am
feeling energized since yesterday.” This reflects the sentiments of a
common man. I feel this is the greatest reward for the daring feat
displayed by us. On the net, the common man’s reactions have traversed
through a variety of sensors and proved enormously eloquent. There
were the numbers of opinion polls, which made it obvious that 92 % of
our nationals have wholeheartedly and conscientiously welcomed the
incident.

The reactions were not confined to India. The CNN channel had
organized a series of opinion polls from 12th to 30th May on the
subject. The queries were straight and simple. “Do you justify India’s
N-explosions? Give reasons.” Though it was destined to last until 30th
May, it was abruptly and prematurely concluded on 22nd May. Adil
Sopariwala, a political analyst, was associated with the poll as a
member of the poll analyzing team. He displayed an interesting
analytical report of the poll till the date. He told that they had
announced to continue the poll till 30th May, but were winding it up
prematurely on 22nd May, because the magnificent and intuitive
expressions received till the date were so enormously unilateral that
it was impossible to receive the enough contradictory views.

Similar were the reactions of common man in the outside world. They
were for greeting the Indian government’s decision. Especially those
of the European common men were of felicitating India. The reactions
of the non-resident Indians, persons of the Indian origin and the
people of those European nations who consider India as their natural
friend & ally, were stating that, India that was till 11 May 98, in
the list of developing nations, has now put forward a strong and
assertive step towards a league of developed nations. They could
receive India’s help when needed. Such were the responses of most of
the countries.

I am citing an example that elaborates that how encouraging were the
common man’s reactions. While returning Mumbai, we landed at the
airport late night. We decided to reach Anushaktinagar for night stay
and go to Pune in the morning. We had some precious equipments to be
delivered at BARC before proceeding to Anushaktinagar. We needed a
taxi from airport to BARC then to Anushaktinagar. Usually the taxi
fare from airport to BARC is 1.5 times the regular fare. I know the
habits of Mumbai taxiwalas. We reached BARC around 2 am. We decided to
take vehicle from BARC. The driver listened that. To our surprise he
told us that there was no need to change the vehicle as he would take
us there. But he kept a precondition. We were surprisingly listening
to him. He told, “I won’t take single rupee from you as fare.” We were
not known to him. He might have inferred the identity of the persons
going to BARC and Anushaktinagar at the midnight in such a way. We
refused. But what he told was to me and my colleagues the greatest
reward of our exertions. He explained, “As you are doing such an
exemplary work for our nation, can’t we do a little for you?” Such
astonishing were the greetings from the mass.

Another type of reactions came from the nuclear technocrats. These
are very much important for persons like us working in atomic energy
field. We were lucky to have an unexpected opportunity to receive such
precious views. At Pokhran, our food was arranged by a Sarpanch of
nearby village. We were a group of few persons who stayed at Pokhran
after 11th May, rest had returned to their respective places. So
instead of having meal at worksite, we went to the village for dinner.
On our request the Sarpanch arranged for TV. Coincidently around 11pm,
there was a press conference followed by panel discussion on BBC. The
panel was comprised of three renowned nuclear scientists, the French,
a Dutch and a British. They were introduced to the viewers. The French
scientist had taken part in more than 200 N- tests of nearly 400 tests
carried out by France under the sea water & the ground. He was just
like ‘Bhisma Pitamah’ of our field. Such a great authority was
evaluating our tests. We were extremely eager to listen to his views.
Fortunately the moderator began with him. He asked, “Is it not amazing
that India has emerged as a strong contender in the nuclear field
after a big gap of 24 years? He was true. After our first test in
1974, we remained dormant for a long period of 24 years. In the field
of scientific research, only achievements & evidences are considered.
One can spare 5 to 6 years maximum after the first test to do 2nd test
in the name of preparations. The nuclear club member countries knowing
what did the delay mean, were looking at us contemptuously. So in
these circumstances it is not a simple matter to have advanced N-
tests and all proving successful. That is why the world was amazed.
The first sentence of the French scientist was very commending. He
accepted, “it is not only amazing but it is stunning.” He exclaimed
that he could not understand that even after not getting any
opportunity for N-test in 24 years, how the people could continue
working in India. If he would have been told to wait, he could have
waited for merely 5 or 6 years only. He would have left the project
and joined the nuclear project of some other country. It was extremely
amazing for him that we had persons silently working for 24 years
without even expecting for N-test of any type.

Obviously this is the fact. Although the people of present generation
like me have impressed the world by successfully executing the N-
tests, I must sincerely have to admit that the scientists and the
researchers of the previous two generations were patiently working in
the adverse circumstances. They erected a grand structure with the
strong base. We just kept a ‘kalash’ on the top of that magnificent
edifice. They worked incessantly in the toughest conditions, faced the
difficulties bravely, accepted the financial limitations & other
resource scarcity, always encouraged the newer generations and hoped
that the future generations, if not they, might get the opportunity.
They truly deserve all the credit.

The French added further that as he had taken part in nearly 200 N-
tests, he knew the intricacies & risks of even single N- test. It is
very difficult to conduct two tests simultaneously. But it was an
absolute madness to take the risk of doing three advanced N- tests at
a time. Explaining the dangers he added that if any one of the three
N- tests went wrong, other two might have gone out of control. The
first casualty would be the scientists observing from just five km
distance from the test site. They had taken a big risk. Elaborating
the possible reason, he told that there was no opportunity in last 24
years and the people were not sure to get another in the future. To
transform the only chance in to the success they endangered their
lives. He frankly admitted that of 200 tests he participated only six
were of thermo-nuclear variety, and unfortunately all had failed
miserably, in spite of all resources and equipments provided by their
(French) government.

We have to keep in mind that who is confessing this. The well
experienced person who had to his credit the splendour of 200 advanced
N- tests was telling that they were unable to succeed in super hi-tech
thermo-nuclear tests. So it is but natural for him to eulogize the
team for the rare accomplishment after a dwarfing break of 24 years.

It is very interesting to know that what our previous nuclear
generations had done. Just after India’s freedom the Nuclear
Corporation was established in 1948. The Atomic establishment was
started in 1951, which after the death of respected Dr Bhabha, was
rechristened as BARC- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. An experimental
reactor came to us in 1955.

From the very beginning our people realized that if we wanted to
advance in this field, extremely diligent persons must be brought in.
People trained under the guidance of experienced and learned
professors in the university would be needed. So the department of
Nuclear Physics was started in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and
the Allahabad University. If a student of a science faculty is told
that the new course of Bachelor degree is started in University but
there is no experimental laboratory, and yet not sure when it will,
none will seek an admission in such a course. Such were the challenges
faced by the brilliant students opting for the study.

We are fortunate that having studying the Nuclear Physics from the
Allahabad University and later teaching there, Dr. Murali Manohar
Joshi became a minister looking after the department of higher
education in the central government. As we think, it becomes apparent
that what an appropriate appointment it was, when a person associated
with such an important subject from the very beginning was given the
charge of nation’s higher education.

The biggest task was to motivate such students to work there even
without experimental laboratories and to ask them to face the plenty
of challenges in the field. The students came, the professors came.
But what could they do without experimental laboratory? Had they been
reading books only? But they didn’t bow down to the limitations. They
gathered the minute details of researches going on in the outside
world in the subject. They studied and were unceasingly considering
that whether they could add newer aspects to the subject.

Result was that these western people who felt that our people would
know nothing of it, we needed not be given any mean or material and
within a year or two the game would be over, their responses started
reversing. Due to all those efforts we got an experimental reactor in
1955. But how much vigilance was kept while giving this? Even by
mistake we would receive the full fledged reactor and we could make
atom bomb, then? Instead of that, give experimental reactor. What
would happen by it? Even the electricity generation would not occur.
Only the experiments in the laboratory would be feasible. But we
accepted it gratefully and our unending success story begins from
there.

We had only three reactors till 1974 (first N– test). One of those
was able to generate electricity in the limited amount. There was one
test site only. Such were the meager resources at our disposal. How
much did our capabilities grow steadily upon time? We had advanced
having 21 reactors, 8 heavy-water plants and a full fledged most
advanced test range by 1990. To do all these was to swim against the
stream. But all of us had a strong determination in our minds that we
must have to surpass all the peaks of this N- field. It was like a
reverse journey of going to Gangotri from Rishikesh, not with the
stream!

The nature has created a big obstacle for us. Nuclear grade Uranium
essential for all these tests was not available here. It is the wonder
of destiny that the world-best uranium mines were unearthed in
Karnataka in June after the N- tests were completed in May. It means
that the God helps true human efforts. If we sit with folded hands he
will also sit in the same way. Surely, thou shall help our efforts.
God was testing our essence. We had no other way but to search for the
alternative to uranium as no country was going to give it
unconditionally. Then what to do? Like ‘Prayatnate Parmeshwar’, on
searching for alternative, one option came to us. Of course, the whole
process was very expensive and tedious. But there was no other way.
What was the option?

There are plenty of Thorium deposits, a radioactive substance, is
available in the coastal sands of Kerala, Tamilnadu & Ram-Setu. As it
is from the beach sand, it is in plenty and free of cost. The process
to convert the Thorium to nuclear grade Uranium is very expensive and
complicated. So those having sufficient Uranium had neglected this
process. Due to that the Thorium processing equipments were impossible
to be acquired from the world market. Our situation was different. We
could get the Uranium from nowhere. That is why we proceeded with step
by step by carrying out requisite advances on researches out of
available resources.

Even till the day, the West was thinking that the something was
missing for India to conduct N–tests. India still was the nuclear
incapable state. But the reality was different. We had enough
resources in relation to the physical need. Only one thing was lacking
and that was a will, a will power, a strong will. The moment we were
blessed with the Will-Power, we conducted the N– explosions.

The next question asked to the French expert was very specific. He was
asked that what would be the devastating capability of the bomb made
of this thermo-nuclear device. The known examples of nuclear holocaust
are Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A single bomb destroyed a city. The
devastation was decisive for the world war outcome. A variety of
cancer like diseases and congenital anomalies, which are not
hereditary, still afflict newborn babies. Such was the terrible nature
of that bomb. Both the bombs were of limited 12 kiloton capability.
Our tests were of 55 kiloton capability (energy released was equal to
55000 tons TNT. What would be the heat generated due to this? I read a
book named Nuclear drive. I got shivers reading the narration. While
studying the effect of bomb in Hiroshima, a human fossil was found on
the footsteps of a house, close to the site. It is impossible to get
the fossil on the surface. Then how it became possible? It became
apparent on studying that at 3200 ℃ heat generated by the N-
explosion, granite got melted and a man got burnt to ashes to form a
fossil. A small bomb can generate such an extremely devastating heat.
Oxygen from the air is very rapidly pulled towards a center, resulting
in to an enormous cyclone. The wind velocity in such an explosion is
generally 2,700 to 3,200 m/sec. A small pebble of stone of 3 gm weight
flying with such a high speed is enough to kill a man. The devastating
energy of the atom bomb can be estimated from it while elaborating
such known nuclear holocaust. He had told that if such 20 bombs, one
bomb every year, till 20 years, were dropped continuously and the
condition that results can be created by such one bomb of
thermo-nuclear variety.

It becomes apparent from this narration that what would be the
destructive capability of this one weapon only. Due to this, the
country like China, having ICBM (Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles)
and who had developed atom bomb quite ahead of us, but unable to make
hydrogen bomb had tacitly avoided giving any specific reactions.
Indeed China was dumbstruck. They didn’t know how to react. Who can
opine against a nation that has astonished the world by such notable
feat at a stretch.

On the contrary, now they have suspicions in their minds that this
may be the tip of iceberg. It is not apparent that how much is beneath
the water. So the people who were ridiculing India that it was like a
closed fist, and would be exposed, now are unable to estimate that
what is further in the fist, as India has closed the fist after
opening for a while. And this thing is absolutely unbearable to all of
them.

It is told that the history repeats. USA didn’t know about 1974
explosions. They were having an intelligence network that time also.
USA inquired 24 hours after the test that whether there was something
like earthquake in the Rajasthan desert. India politely told “ No,
there is no earthquake. This was due to our N -test.” After that
event, from 1976 onwards, to keep a close watch and to gather the
details of such activities, USA has positioned one Geo-synchronous and
3 Geo-stationary satellites in the Indian sky. Still they could not
even smell about any of the five N tests of 1998. That was very hard
to digest for them. Explosion was not unnoticeable. That is why
American senate asked the president that what CIA was doing, what was
the use of big expenditure on CIA. The members ridiculed that whether
their watchdog satellites were only show-pieces & asked the government
to investigate the matter. A high level committee was formed under the
chairmanship of a former CIA president. There were many arguments &
criticisms, but they could investigate nothing. Later on I came across
an article written by the chairperson of the committee. It is
interesting what he is confessing. He accepted that their satellites
could not keep a watch on Indian operation. But he regretted that in
spite of having ground network or local contacts, they couldn’t
convert even a single Indian to their disposal. USA couldn’t get even
a single Jaichand & our people collectively conducted such a great &
successful marvel. It could be possible only if the minute planning
with the foresight was done by the people having the responsibility.
Bold decisions were to be taken. PM took the decision to strictly
ration the information even for the cabinet ministers on need basis
only. How difficult was it for a government surviving on the support
of multiple small fractions? It would had been fatal if someone had
opposed it. All were taken in to confidence but the information was
restricted only on need basis.

I received a letter from the director on 7th April. I was asked to
get prepared & report to the airport in two hours. When I reached the
airport, some of my colleagues were also present. We were curious, but
no one knew anything. A man gave us a boarding pass and told to check
the name. There was no mention of place to reach. We asked him but he
also knew nothing. We boarded in the plane shown to us. On landing a
police officer took us, with our equipments, to another aircraft
without any talk. We landed on 3rd day at Jodhpur airport. Now we felt
a little where we were going. Such was the veil of secrecy even for
those directly linked with the operation.

I was associated with the project since 1990. My marriage took place
around that time. But my wife could know about my involvement with the
project only after 13th may-98, when I returned home after the second
series of tests have been finished and the news of the successful
tests became public. I had to face her anger. This is the amount of
psychological pressure faced by the people working with the project.

The decision taken by the government was really bold. It was a litmus
test for the political leadership. If anything went wrong or a mishap
occurred, they would have to be answerable. Only the people who
consider the nation the first and power is secondary can take such
courageous decisions. A phrase is popular in the armed forces, “It is
not the gun, but the hand on it that fights. And it is not the hand on
the gun but the mind behind it that fights.” The success depends on
the psychological preparedness and the mental involvement in the work.

It is true as reported in the media that all the preparations were
made in just one month. We had only a month’s time to work on the test
site. We met on 11th April. Dr Chidambaram told us the exciting news
that we had got the approval of the central government to test our N-
devices. We were very much joyous. But his successive statement froze
our enthusiasm. He told, “We have a great challenge. We have only one
month and we have to test not one but five devices. We were stunned.
We knew that how much efforts were needed for a test in 1974. It was
evident to us that how impossible was the task to prepare for five
tests in just one month’s time.

Why only one month? It was 11th April. The time and site were of great
geographic and climatic challenge to us. We knew the wind pattern. It
blows from Pakistan, Baluchistan, then traverses north Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and reaches Bay of Bengal. The wind is up
to Pak-Afghan border till mid- May. If the N- tests are done after
15th May, and unfortunately any one goes wrong, the radioactive
particles traversing with the wind may create havoc for the country.
The tests had to be finished by 15th May.

How were the preparations? The shaft (well) of 200-300 meter depth
underground (nearly 60 storey building’s height beneath the ground) is
needed for the underground test. There was one old shaft of 1974 test
that could be used for one test only. It was decided to have three
wells. So, two new wells needed to be prepared. That was not an easy
task. The soil was sandy and deep to it was the black stone. Moreover
the watchdog satellites spying from sky must be avoided during the
work. The digging of the wells only was not enough. It needed a lift
to carry men and machines. The equipments and sensors were to be
fitted at different levels. We know the difficulty in erecting a lift
for 60 storey building. Here, it was needed to go sixty floors beneath
the ground. That seemed an impossible task. But we have seen the
determination, swiftness and courage of our armed forces in Kargil
war. Just like war, at civil requirement also, armed forces’ role is
commendable, particularly in such scientific ventures. The Bengal
Engineering Troops picked up the challenge.

We had a strong motivating force in the form of our team leaders.
Feeling the state of our mind following Dr Chidambaram’s announcement,
Dr A.P.J. Kalam rose to break the ice. He grasped the word ‘challenge’
from Dr Chidambaram’s speech and told, “Friends, this is the challenge
as well as an opportunity for us. We have to pick it up and convert
the challenge in to the opportunity. Else we have no right to be
recognized as the scientists.” That was a frank evocation as if
reminding Veer Hanuman of the great capabilities. A number of small
group meetings followed and the challenge was accepted. We requested
Dr. Kalam to fix the date for the N– tests. He was not having a
calendar and no one knew that Buddha Jayanti would be on 11th May 98.
He just told, “Clock is sounding tick tick. It means thirty. Only 30
days. Calculate the date.” The work began calculating hours, minutes
and seconds remaining.

There wasn’t even a single incident when even ten people of 250
working on the site gathered to have tea. The Food was supplied at the
work site. A light stream of air would shower much sand to the food.
On 11th April, the temperature was 46 degree C. At the end of April in
morning 6 AM it was 46 degree C. Around 5th May, at 10 AM it became 48
degree C. On 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th May, 5 PM it peaked up to 52 degree C.
Not to think of AC or fan, even shade was not available while working.
In such harsh environment, with youngsters like me, an old man of 68
year, Dr. Kalam was working unceasingly. If a vehicle was not
available to move from one place to another he walked in the sand. The
sand was so hot as if walking on a burning coal. In such scorching
heat, shirt buttons could not be kept unfastened. A touch of a sand
particle was enough to develop a bleb and cause tremendous burning. If
the body was kept covered, there were dripping sweats. As an antidote,
a rickshaw used to distribute ‘gud’ pieces and water from a leather
bag (pakhal). There wasn’t any possibility of any more facility and
also no expectation at all. Many of us suffered nausea, vomiting and
giddiness due to the over work during the day and night in the harsh
conditions. But none complained of the sickness. Because one would
have to go back if fell ill, and there was no future possibility to
get such an opportunity again in the life. So all of us were
determined not to return home until the work is completed.

We had an inspiring example. Our team leaders were extremely
prompting. A message came during breakfast on 2nd May. The chit went
to Dr. Kalam. He read and gave it to Dr. Kakodkar. It was regarding
death of Dr Kakodkar’s father in Mumbai. He should return home living
the work. Dr Kakodkar went to a lonely place. Dr. Kalam went to him
and told him that he should go home. His family needed him. The
arrangements were made and Dr. Kakodkar went Mumbai. We thought that
Dr. Kakodkar is out of project. But to our surprise he was with us in
the next day’s morning meeting. There was no sign of sorrow on his
face. The most of our colleagues, who heard late about his going to
Mumbai, thought that he might have gone for some BARC task. Most of
the people present there came to know about his father’s death only
after 15th July, long time after the tests, through an article in
‘India Today’. How can it become possible? Was Dr. Kakodkar made of a
different soil? Was he working for a reward from the government of
India? There was a synergy among such a great leadership, a team of
dynamic youths working with them and the blessings of the seniors
(‘Rishis’) who had worked in this field for long years. What a great
miracle could be resulted by their combined efforts had been displayed
to the world by India on doing these successful N– explosions.

Let us talk of political reaction. The first response was that it was
a political decision. I strongly feel that if political leadership
were not needed to be consulted, our scientists could have tested the
N- devices quite earlier. The question is, “why the previous
leadership couldn’t take such decision?” It was not so easy to face
the harsh reactions after the tests. It was a fire-test. So the
leadership who had a strong determination and confidence of success
can take such a serious and historically important decision. And it
became apparent that how malicious and derisive were the immediate
reactions following the N –tests.

Bill Clinton was in Germany on that day. He was very furious. He
declared from there many punitive measures in form of the sanctions
for India. What a need for haste! He couldn’t keep patience even to
consult his colleagues before taking such an important decision to
completely boycott a nation like India. He went to Burmingham on 12th
May. The G-8 nations were to meet there. On landing on airport, while
talking with the journalists, his attitude had changed. He requested
specifically to the heads of the G-8 nations, “Please don’t try to
isolate India.” What does it mean? Yesterday you were talking to
boycott India and today requesting others not to do such. What was the
reason? He realized the mistake and damage due to his knee-jerk
response. Was the decision taken in anger on the previous day
rational? There was a beautiful caricature in ‘Sunday mirror’.
Standing on a small peanut size piece of land on the globe of earth,
Bill Clinton tells the world, “Don’t try to isolate India.” It was
apparent who was isolated in reality.

G–8 meet started on 13th May and we carried out two more explosions.
The interviews of some of the head of nations were telecasted on BBC
that night. The first one was of the French President Jacques Chirac.
An interviewer requested him to tell about world affairs of the day.
He began telling that many of his friends were talking of isolating
India, but he wanted to remind them that the country like India was
developing the advanced technology like Thermo-nuclear device on its
own. He told the world to notice that the country which had developed
the advanced technical expertise in spite of many obstacles and
limitations, could do anything and no technical skill was unattainable
for India. She could develop the essential requisites on her own.
India had left it to the world whether to be India’s friend or foe. He
was talking like India’s advocate.

America might be calculating that like Iraq, the decision to put
comprehensive sanctions over India could be taken by all the nations
in G-8 meet. To their misfortune, France and Russia declared their
plans to support India on the very first day. It was surprising that
USA’s friends like Australia and England also took neutral position.
Such was a miscarriage of proposed resolution of USA. It couldn’t even
come on the table for discussion. It was the first insult to America.
Clinton returned home on 14th May. Soon the CEOs of some MNCs met him.

In this background, an article by an economist Ms. Rubin came in New
York Times. The title of this article was, “If sanctions are imposed,
who is going to be affected? India? ” It was a question-mark. In her
article she raised the issue that many of US companies/ MNCs had 30–50
% investment in Indian subcontinent. Some industries were
establishing, some were in the initial phase. At this time if India
retaliates to sanctions by making changes in her import export policy,
what would happen? Had the president thought that who would be bearing
the maximum shocks of it? Stressing the point further, she wrote that
not only the cheaper but the most trustworthy and reliable software
were supplied by India. The MNCs had flourished over that support. If
the export duty on the software was increased, India can cover up the
deficit resulted from the sanctions.

I am not bluffing. You know the well known MS-office software for
computer. It is known as user friendly software. There is a word
package in it known as MS-word. It is very easy and convenient
package. We may not even think that it reached the whole world from
Pune. There is a company named Priston engineering. There are only 32
people from peon to MD working in it. This company had done $ 450
million contract for three years with Microsoft. The market of
MS-office is about billion dollars every year. Three of the first ten
rich people are from Microsoft. Does this company come to India only
for cheap material? The most important thing for a company is to
establish the trustworthiness in the global market. So it purchases
software from India paying $ 400 m. If the export duty of software is
raised by 300– 400 %, calculate the figures.

Ms. Rubin brought to the notice many similar possibilities. On that
basis, she asked President the question. At the end of the article,
she wrote a very bashful sentence to the Americans. “It is an
unfortunate part on our side that we will observe one of our
presidents surrendering without fighting a war.” It was not like the
war with Iraq or Taliban. It was an economic war with a promising
economy.

She wrote this in June 98. The things became obvious now. Many roars
of sanctions became irrelevant or ineffective. After sometime they
proclaimed that they were lifting the sanctions off India in view of
Indo–Pak dialogue. What an excuse for face saving! What were the
sanctions applied? What were you giving previously that you are
threatening not to give tomorrow?

The history is the witness. In 1974, when we did the first N– test,
Canada, from where we had received N-technology and N-fuel to
establish Atomic energy centre at Rajasthan Atomic power station
(RAPS), called back their technologists and materials. This is the
characteristic of their aid. None of our work got paralyzed on
withdrawal of their help. The people working in the field learnt a
lesson. They were determined that we have to arise on our legs if we
want to succeed in this field. No one can win the race with crutches.
We must be self-reliant to make our progress possible. The ‘Swadeshi
Mantra’ was realized. All the experts of our nation working in this
field were brought together and the data collected by them were
studied. In six months, there stood a new unit. With the inputs from
Canada, it would have been of 40– 42 % capacity; ours was of only 21 %
capacity. But what is the situation today? The units in Canada run by
62– 64 % capacity, while the two units developed by RAPS are working
with 74– 76 % capacity. How did it become possible? We realized what
to do. We learnt how it works and we displayed it to the world. That
is why we reached where we are today.

Before concluding I would like to request you. Many times ‘Swadeshi’
is derided. But it is very essential to consider it seriously. I am
giving a simple logic easily understandable even by school children.
Indian government spent Rs.1500 Crore to carry out research in the
Nuclear field and to conduct N– Tests during the period from 1985 to
1999. Let us see the other figures. During April-May, most of us take
soft drinks. Today no soft drink is ‘Swadeshi’. If our 90% of
population drink only one bottle soft drink during these 2 months, we
give Rs.900 Crore to the foreign companies. And these are not going to
use a single rupee for the welfare of our nation. The substance of the
‘War’ as mentioned by Ms. Rubin in her article is here. When our
ordinary shopkeeper, feeling that the MNC goods are unsaleable,
needlessly occupying space, will throw them away, we will win the war.
This is true for all the products of MNCs. Very useless products drain
our thousands of crores of rupees in foreign coffers. On the other
side, we had allotted 1500 crores only on strategic technology
indispensable for our national security and sovereignty during last
15 years.

It is the time demanding actions, not only thinking. A practical
housewife knows that water will be drained out through a small hole in
it, and soon finds solution to it. Is it not our responsibility to
plug the holes and loopholes in our system? Are we waiting for someone
from west to come here and teach us this? Let us start from the self
and spread the logic to anyone coming in our contact.

Once I kept the subject amongst the school students. Next day a lady
doctor phoned me with an anger. She told that on listening my lecture
her son threw ‘colgate’ toothpaste and toothbrush into dustbin. I told
her that I would give her son a gift of swadeshi toothbrush and paste.
I went to her home and explained the subject. After a good discussion,
she was convinced. The result is that now, she used to go to different
hotels of Pune daily for an hour and disseminates the subjects to many
people. She has distributed more than 20000 copies of the list of
swadeshi products.

The statesmen of our nation took one firm step and the whole world is
astonished. Bhagavan Vaman had measured the world in three steps only.
One step is placed. It is our responsibility to take further two steps
and conquer the world. Bharat will be the superpower, scientifically,
militarily and economically as well as all the fields of development
of life.

Conclude






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