FACTS ABOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS

1. Facts about Nuclear Weapons

Science and technology has taken several leaps over the centuries, and more so in this century. As scientists, we take pleasure in unravelling the workings of Nature and appreciate its beauty. We take pleasure in explaining the way Nature works and how such an understanding leads to progress benefiting humankind.

Many such scientific discoveries, like atomic energy, often possess a dual aspect--one that is beneficial and the other implying devastation and death. In the words of Albert Einstein, one of the most famous scientists of our times, ``Through the release of atomic energy, our generation has brought into the world the most revolutionary force since prehistoric man's discovery of fire". The past half-century has been a witness to an aspect of science that would be abhorrent by any reasonable moral yardstick--namely, the development of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. For the first time in the history of humankind, we have the power to wipe out the entire human race, either intentionally or accidentally, several times over.

In May 1998, India, followed by Pakistan, conducted nuclear tests and announced their intention to become nuclear weapons states. We scientists are dismayed and angered by these events. We are convinced that nuclear weaponisation decreases the security of both the countries and increases the risk of the population of South Asia being subject to the horrendous effects of a nuclear war.

``We scientists recognise our inescapable responsibility to carry to our fellow citizens an understanding of atomic energy and its implications for society. In this lies our only security and our only hope--we believe an informed citizenry will act for life and not for death" (Albert Einstein, January 22, 1947).

This booklet is an expanded and revised form of the original version released in July 1998. It is a continuation of the effort to inform the citizens of India about nuclear weapons, their deadly effects and the global consequences associated with them. We believe along with Einstein and several eminent scientists, that our only hope now lies with an informed citizenry.