Talks are on with New Delhi to set up an Indo-Russia Centre to provide training to Indian scientists in operating nuclear power plants, said Mikhail Gorbatov, Vice-Consul, Consulate General of Russia, Chennai.
Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a seminar and photo exhibition on world peace and World War-II organised by St.Joseph’s College here on Tuesday, Mr.Gorbatov said Russia had been an important partner of India for so long on many areas. Besides the existing two nuclear power units (500 MW each), it had been proposed to set up two more units at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, chances are bright for setting up six more atomic power plants in the country. Though Russia would continue to offer technical assistance, it was expected that the expansion plan would require a large number of scientists and technocrats with expertise in nuclear power plant operations. The proposed centre was aimed at providing technical, operational, and maintenance skills to the technocrats.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr.Gorbatov recollected the strategic and long-lasting friendship between India and Russia. Both countries had been playing a key role in promoting world peace, brotherhood, environment and prosperity. Chances were bright for further cementing the relationship, he said.
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Rev.S.John Britto, Rector, Rev.S.Sebastian, Secretary, Rev. F. Andrew, Principal, St. Joseph’s College, R. Rajagobal, Chairman, Indo-Russian Centre for Rural Development, Rev. M.Arockiasamy Xavier, Vice-Principal, S.P. Benjamin Elango, Head, Department of English, and Arul Rayappan, Coordinator, Visual Communication, spoke.
Earlier, Mr. Gorbatov inaugurated a photo exhibition on world peace in commemoration of 70{+t}{+h}anniversary of the victory over fascism in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) at M.A.M College of Engineering on Wednesday. He gave an elaborate account of World War II, which the Russians call as the Great Patriotic War.