I arrived in Bengaluru, and headed to IISc.
There, I met with Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.
Homi Bhabha himself tried to convince me that Nuclear weapons are necessary.
I nodded.
"How feasible will Thorium be for energy generation?"
India is said to have 1/4th of world's Thorium reserves. Moreover, there are lots of lithium in Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
Ideally, nuclear energy should provide the maximum amount of electricity for the country, trains should be transporting most of the goods and people, and whatever other vehicles are required should be powered by batteries, solar power or oil and gas from India itself.
While becoming self-sufficient in everything is impossible, self-sufficiency in food, energy and key manufacturing is required.
Sadly, a Thorium based nuclear reactors for energy generation weren't made, because Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai got assassinated.
Scientists aren't like engineers and doctors who can be mass-produced easily with consistent quality.
Homi Bhabha said, "Energy with Thorium... If we are thinking about nuclear weapons, it is definitely possible. If we get the necessary equipments, it should take around 2-3 years. Though acquiring the equipments themselves will require more years.
But if we are talking about having a consistent controlled nuclear reaction to produce energy for civil uses...
It should be possible. But it will take much more time and effort, and lots of money and more equipments. I can't give you a good estimation, but it will take a decade, at the very least."
"If equipments for civil energy purpose is acquired, can nuclear bomb be made with it?"
"Yes. Though I don't have much knowledge about the aircrafts required for bombing. I don't know if a normal aircraft can be used."
I nodded. Well, we don't really have to drop a nuke on anyone. Just keep it as a deterrent.
So making a powerplant is more difficult than a bomb huh?
"Alright. We will start our nuclear program for energy generation, purely civil use. Officially.
No talks about nuclear weapons. First, we will have to enrich Uranium and Thorium, right?"
Both were surprised. Afterall, why keep it a secret from public?
"Yes. The initial procedures for both nuclear weapons and nuclear power-plants will be the same."
"Alright. Homi ji, gather a group of scientists who you think will be important for development of nuclear power-plants. Don't tell them about nuclear weapons until I give you permission.
No country will like that we want to develop nuclear weapons. From now on, your lives will be in danger too.
Don't talk about any progress regarding the nuclear program as a whole, even civil, with anyone. Even your wives and children.
You will not be allowed to take civil flights, as entire plane may be hijacked or blown up.
I am giving you bodyguards, and please ensure that none of your colleagues get honey trapped.
"...Is the situation really that serious?"
"Yes. But you don't have to worry. You just focus on the project. I will focus on your safety. Whatever you want for this, I will provide it."
They looked at each other, and nodded.
"Alright. We will start working on Thorium nuclear power plants for purely civil use."
I shook hands with them and left them with bodyguards that will provide security on the same level as me.
Their source of food, utensils, people who come into contact with them, their vehicles, everything will be checked everyday.
I renamed IB(Intelligence Bureau) to:
1. SHIELD (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division): For internal intelligence and protection of important people.
2. SWORD (Strategic World Organisation and Response Department): For international intelligence.
Chief of Army Staff, K.M. Cariappa retired from Army and was made the Chief Secretary of SHIELD. He will oversee the protection of scientists involved in the nuclear program.
R.N. Kao was made the Chief Secretary of SWORD.
Sam Manekshaw was promoted to the Chief of Army Staff.
And of course, in the parliament, I was questioned about the intelligence agencies.
Moraji Desai in particular, was vehemently against any intelligence agency at all.
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