HOMI BHABHA’S PROPHECY

We are in the middle of an energy crisis. These are days of soaring oil prices (last quote was US$ 64 per barrel of crude). The days of fossil fuels are numbered. It is interesting to note that Homi J. Bhabha, Chairman of our Atomic Energy Commission, had predicted this 50 years ago. However, he had also prophesied that, by 1995, the secrets of power from thermonuclear fusion would be harnessed, leading to a permanent end to the energy crisis, which he could foresee even then.

In his own words, ‘ Within the next forty years, the enormous power of the hydrogen bomb would be harnessed, solving for ever man’s demand for power and energy.' He pointed out the absolute necessity of finding some new source of energy ' if the light of our civilisation is not to be extinguished, because we have burnt out our fuel reserves.’ This is an extract from his address on 8th August, 1955, to nuclear experts from 72 countries in the opening session of the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, of which he was Chairman.

The first part of his prophecy has not come true so far in spite of many claims of ‘cold fusion’, etc. However, we are now realising how true the second part was – I think we had better pull up our socks and get down to discovering alternate sources of energy!