Hi readers!
Have you ever heard about WIN? I am sure the answer would be a big NO. Dear readers! It’s no one else but Women In Nuclear? Sounds strange, doesn’t it? the
Yes, the word is horrible because it gives the impression as if the women are working in a nuclear reactor whereas the women are generally reluctant to work with radiation or nuclear energy (The the above is of a women engineer working at plant). Even if it is true, there is nothing to worry about because according to Marie Curie,
“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. I am one of those who think like Nobel, that humanity will draw more good than evil from new discoveries. I am among those who think that science has great beauty”.
Working in a nuclear reactor is also an application of science: a beautiful bravery accepted by brave people only and here lies the theme of my blog today.
WIN is a non-profit organization of women working professionally in various areas of nuclear energy and radiation applications and is registered in Austria. With over 35,000 members, over 60 chapters in more than 145 countries, WIN is committed to promote awareness about the essential contributions of the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies and her various chapter at every nook and corner of the world are driving force behind fulfilling this mission.
Today, I attended an International conference organized by WIN Pakistan chapter in collaboration of WIN global and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC): my parent organization. The conference honored me with a shield to acknowledge my contribution towards Science and technology, after which, I was supposed to express my views about WIN and its concept which is placed below.
Women in Nuclear: the word sounds horrible because it gives the impression as if these women are working in nuclear reactors which is not the case. In reality, this word is very comprehensive.
WINers are actually working indirectly with the low and safe doses of radiation emitted after nuclear reaction. I know many, including myself, who has spent years for creation of variation in crops through induced mutation via radiation. I used to get seeds, go to a health physicist who is a lady managing the radiation sources. In the gamma beam, she place the seeds on a disc, seal the door, switch the source on from outside the concreate room, the source comes up, irradiate the seed and go down again at the safe place. In the gamma cell, she put the seed in a container, send it down the well where the source is placed in water, switch the source on from outside the secure room, the source irradiate the seeds which are then pulled out.
Biotechnologists uses ethidium bromide which is carcinogenic as it chelate with DNA making it visible under the UV light,
Soil scientists uses N15 and other radio isotope to measure the quantity of essential components in Fertilizer.
Medical scientists and doctors uses radio isotopes in diagnostics like bone scans, thyroid scans, cyber knife is a targeted radiation treatment for cancer patients, radiotherapy given after chemotherapy to cancer patients is also targeted as only the affected portion is treated and not the patient body and those who are providing such treatment are mostly ladies.
PAEC is managing over 20 cancer hospitals with an essential radio-oncology department. 100s of ladies are working there starting from Medical officer to Director General so, there is nothing to worry about. It is completely safe, effective, and essential for the cure of certain life-threatening diseases and women in nuclear are doing this noble job with dedication and sincerity for which I am the personal witness.
WINers are sending out loud and clear message that in the agriculture sector, variations are being created some of which are only possible through radiation, in medical sector, the patients of life-threatening disease are being cured. In both cases, neither the client nor the manager are exposed to the radiation.
What a glorious example of peaceful use of nuclear energy
Despite several capital intensive techniques being used to increase agricultural productivity, I personally believe that radiation still has a major role to play in Food security, Nutrition and sustainable agriculture that can satisfy the appetite of over 8 billion population in the years to come.
IAEA: The International Atomic Energy Agency is vital for such activities because beside a monitoring agency she also provide financial and essential technical help through cooperative research and technical assistance programs. There is hardly any National Atomic Energy center that has never been supported by funding from IAEA. Infect, her support goes far beyond this.
I am a cancer survivor and was exposed to radio therapy for 15 consecutive days without any fear. In my view a positive attitude may help you get through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, but a positive mental attitude does not cure cancer any more than a negative mental attitude causes cancer, and I witnessed that positive attitude of WIN Pakistan and WIN global and the dedication with which WINers are winning the hearts and mind of the people.
Let’s congratulate WIN, the WINers, IAEA and PAEC
See you next week. Take care, Bye.
