Narayanan gives away medals to BARC Training School toppers

As many as 103 candidates cleared the Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates and Science Post Graduates of the BARC Training School, which over the years has ensured quality manpower for the country's nuclear programme.

Narayanan also gave away the DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme awards to 18 candidates at a function at the Central Complex Auditorium at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.

Addressing the graduates, Narayanan described the strategic requirements for India in the context of the geo-political situation in and around the country and underlined the need for being constantly on guard.

India's strength of nuclear capability was of utmost importance, he said even as he outlined the significant features of India's nuclear doctrine of 'credible nuclear deterrence', 'no-first-use' and 'credible second strike capability'.

Atomic Energy Commission Chairman R K Sinha said the strength of self-reliance built over the years had enabled India's entry in the international nuclear regime since 2008.

BARC Director Sekhar Basu urged the graduates to keep in mind the needs and aspirations of the large Indian population and direct R&D efforts to contribute to the well being of the society.