The Power of Promise: Examining Nuclear Energy in India (Penguin Books, December 2012) is written by Physicist and writer, M.V. Ramana, of the Nuclear Futures Laboratory and the Program on Science and Global Security, Princeton University. The book offers a detailed narrative of the evolution of India s nuclear energy programme, examining different aspects of the nuclear energy programme and the claims of success made on its behalf. These claims include the assertion that nuclear power is possibly the most important source of energy for India and that it is safe, environmentally benign, and cheap. This dream of a nuclear powered India has been supported by huge financial budgets and high level political commitment for over six decades.

The Power of Promise shows that nuclear power has been more expensive than conventional forms of electricity generation, that the ever-present risk of catastrophic accidents is heightened by observed organizational inadequacies at nuclear facilities, and that existing nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been correlated with impacts on public health and the environment. The book offers detailed information and analysis that should serve to deepen the debate about whether India should indeed embark on a massive nuclear programme.

Book Launch Follows a Panel discussion on 'Nuclear Energy in India' with panelists Anant Mariganti (Right to the City Foundation & Hyderabad Urban Labs), C. Rammanohar Reddy (editor, Economic and Political Weekly) and A. Gopalakrishnan (former Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board), Prof. Arvind Susarla (Hyderabad Central University)