**Executive Summary**
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) organized a media visit on March 5, 2026, for 19 Mumbai-accredited journalists to the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) and the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC). The visit aimed to enhance media awareness of nuclear science applications in healthcare and research. The initiative sought to foster a better public understanding of DAE's work.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Purpose of the Visit:**
* To enhance awareness among media professionals about the societal applications of nuclear science and technology.
* To showcase the work of BRIT in radioisotopes, radiation processing, and medical applications.
* To highlight ACTREC's role in advanced cancer treatment, research, and education.
* To facilitate interaction between scientists and media to improve public understanding of DAE's activities.
**BRIT Activities:**
* Provided an overview of BRIT's mandate and activities.
* Briefed media on production and supply of medical radioisotopes.
* Detailed radiation technologies used in healthcare, industry, and agriculture.
* Explained radiation sterilization of medical products.
* Discussed applications such as food irradiation and industrial radiography.
* Showcased facilities and demonstrations on radioisotope production, quality control, safety protocols, and food irradiation.
* Highlighted the growing demand for nuclear medicine and isotope-based diagnostics in India.
**ACTREC Activities:**
* Presented key areas of ACTREC's work.
* Provided an overview of medical facilities.
* Detailed activities of the Centre for Cancer Epidemiology.
* Discussed translational cancer research at the Cancer Research Institute.
* Highlighted efforts in developing new diagnostics and therapies.
* Showcased training and education programs for oncology professionals.
**Exposure to Technologies:**
* Journalists were introduced to advanced medical technologies like SPECT/CT, PET/CT imaging, and the Proton Therapy Centre.
* Scientists explained how DAE-supported technologies contribute to nuclear medicine diagnostics, cancer therapy, and medical supplies.
**Outcome of the Visit:**
* Enabled journalists to understand the link between nuclear science research and its societal impact.
* Provided direct exposure to scientific facilities and interaction with researchers.
* Expected to strengthen science communication and public awareness of DAE's contributions.
* Served as an effective platform for engaging with the press and showcasing the relevance of nuclear science and technology.
**Impact Analysis**
**Journalists:**
* **Impact:** Gained firsthand exposure to DAE's advanced scientific facilities and an in-depth understanding of nuclear science applications in healthcare and research. They interacted with leading researchers and clinicians, enhancing their knowledge to report on these critical areas.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the acquired knowledge and insights to produce informative content for the public, thereby increasing awareness about DAE's contributions.
**Public:**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from increased public awareness and understanding of the societal applications and advancements in nuclear science, particularly in healthcare, cancer treatment, and research, leading to greater appreciation for DAE's work.
* **Action Required:** No direct action is required from the public; they are the intended beneficiaries of the enhanced communication resulting from this initiative.
**Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Institutions (BRIT and ACTREC):**
* **Impact:** Their work and societal relevance in nuclear science applications for healthcare and research were showcased, potentially leading to improved public perception and support.
* **Action Required:** Continue engaging in such media initiatives to further strengthen science communication and public awareness.
**Press Information Bureau (PIB):**
* **Impact:** Successfully facilitated a platform for media engagement, which is crucial for disseminating information about government initiatives and scientific advancements.
* **Action Required:** Continue to organize and facilitate similar media visits to other DAE institutions and relevant scientific bodies.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The overarching government department that organized the media visit and oversees the mentioned institutions.
Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT): A key institution under DAE that develops and applies radiation technologies for societal benefit.
Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC): A research and academic institution under DAE focused on cancer treatment, research, and education.
Public Awareness & Media Interaction Division (PA&MID): The specific division within DAE responsible for organizing the media visit and public engagement initiatives.
Mumbai: The primary location where the media visit took place, indicating the geographical scope of the event.
Department of Atomic Energy
Media Delegation visits BRIT and ACTREC to
explore role of Nuclear Science in Healthcare and
Research
Journalists gain insights into Nuclear Medicine, Radiation
Technology and Cancer Research
Posted On: 09 MAR 2026 6:03PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai , 9th March, 2026
The Public Awareness & Media Interaction Division (PA&MID) of the Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE) organised a media visit for journalists from Mumbai accredited
to the Press Information Bureau to two important institutions under DAE — the
Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) and the Advanced Centre for
Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC). The visit was held on 5
March 2026 and was attended by a contingent of 19 journalists, led by Smt. Jaydevi
Pujari Swami, Deputy Director, PIB, and Shri Daniel Babu P, Head, PA&MID.
The visiting media delegation included representatives from PIB, PTI, The Times of
India, Hindustan Times, Free Press Journal, Pudhari, All India Radio, Doordarshan,
Loksatta, Navsakti, True Hunt, Prahar, and The WEEK.
The visit aimed to enhance awareness among media professionals about the societal
applications of nuclear science and technology, particularly in the areas of
healthcare, radiation technology, cancer treatment, and isotope applications. The
initiative provided journalists with first-hand exposure to DAE’s work in applyingnuclear science for societal benefit. It also sought to showcase the work of BRIT in
radioisotopes, radiation processing and medical applications, highlight the role of
ACTREC in advanced cancer treatment, research and education, and facilitate
meaningful interaction between scientists and media representatives to improve
public understanding of DAE’s activities.
At the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, the visiting journalists were given
a detailed overview of the organisation’s mandate and activities by Shri Pradip
Mukherjee, Chief Executive, BRIT.
Senior officials and scientists briefed the media on the following areas:
Production and supply of medical radioisotopes
Radiation technologies used in healthcare, industry, and agriculture
Radiation sterilization of medical products
Applications such as food irradiation and industrial radiography
The media team was also shown selected facilities and demonstrations explaining
radioisotope production, industrial and healthcare applications, quality control
systems, safety protocols, food irradiation plants, and the broader societal benefits
of radiation technologies. Journalists interacted with scientists and sought
clarifications on the growing demand for nuclear medicine and isotope-based
diagnostics in India.
The media delegation later visited the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and
Education in Cancer (ACTREC), the research and academic arm of the Tata Memorial
Centre. The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, who delivered the
introductory address. The journalists were then given presentations on key areas of
ACTREC’s work, including an overview of medical facilities by Dr. Navin Khattry, the
activities of the Centre for Cancer Epidemiology by Prof. Rajesh Dikshit, and
translational cancer research at the Cancer Research Institute by Dr. Sorab N. Dalal.
The presentations also highlighted ongoing efforts in the development of new
diagnostics and therapies, as well as training and education programmes for
oncology professionals.Journalists were taken through selected research and clinical facilities where they
were introduced to advanced medical technologies such as SPECT/CT and PET/CT
imaging systems and the Proton Therapy Centre. During interactive sessions,
scientists explained how DAE-supported technologies contribute significantly to
healthcare, particularly in nuclear medicine diagnostics, cancer therapy, radiation
sterilization of medical supplies, and the development of affordable healthcare
technologies for wider public access.
The interaction enabled journalists to gain a deeper understanding of the link
between nuclear science research and its real-world societal impact. The visit was
well received by the journalists, who appreciated the opportunity to gain direct
exposure to advanced scientific facilities, interact with leading researchers and
clinicians, and understand the role of nuclear science in improving healthcare
outcomes.
Such initiatives are expected to strengthen science communication and public
awareness about the contributions of DAE institutions. The media visit organised by
PA&MID provided an effective platform for engaging with the press and showcasing
the societal relevance of nuclear science and technology. By facilitating direct
interaction between scientists and journalists, the initiative helped build greater
awareness and appreciation of the work carried out by DAE institutions in
healthcare, research and technology applications.
PIB Mumbai | Jaydevi Swami/ Edgar Coelho/Priti Malandkar
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