Land of nuclear explosion seems hidden in the dark

Jaisalmer. Witness of 6 nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998; Pokhran area of Jaisalmer district, which has made India stand at international level and lead in the queue of nuclear powerful country, today, seems hidden and stands in the dark.

Former legislator of Jaisalmer and resident of Loharki Village Gulab Singh Rawlot said that in the Khetolai village which is 80 KM far from the district head office, everything is very normal here. There is silence in Khetolai village. It doesn’t seem now that few years ago, world’s biggest incident had occurred here. The same condition is of Loharki village which is slightly away from Khetolai village where on 18^th May 1974 first nuclear test was conducted.

(from left) The then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpyee, defense minister George Fernandes, A PJ Abdul Kalam, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and army officials at Pokran after the nuclear test on 1998. 

Sarpanch of Khetolai Village, Ramrakh Vishnoi said that in Khetolai village, it doesn’t seem now that on 11^th and 13^th May 1998, the land has tolerated 5 nuclear blasts on these dates. Now, only media people somehow visit here.

Social worker Dr Harivansh R Vyas of Pokhran area said that now only few people must be aware about the first nuclear test centre of Loharki village of Pokhran sub division of Jaisalmer district. This was outstanding in its own way as it created an impact worldwide. No signs are left now on this first prestigious area of India. Same situation can be seen in Khetolai Village.

The site of one of the 1974 nuclear test.

Old man of Khetolai village, Kishna Ram Vishnoi said that he has witnessed 6 nuclear tests till now and he feels proud about that. Till now his village has not been improved about which he feels sad.

President of Welcome Vikaas samiti of Khetolai Village, Aasuram Vishnoi said that after nuclear test, no one bothers about the villagers. Neither is the administration worried nor are the people concerned. Villagers feel bad as Prime minister has also never heard their voice and have never visited their place. Along with this, none of their demands has been fulfilled, be it cash payment or special funds.

Animal breeder of the village, Jeevana Ram said that after the nuclear test, animals were majorly affected. Most of the cows of the village have started giving less milk. And even in nearby villages effects can be seen. The entire village is in drought condition. District administration hasn’t opened any drought proof work or not even has opened any fodder depot.

·         Prime Minister Indra Ghandhi at the site of Pokran after the nuclear test on 1974.

Old woman of Khetolai village, Harkhi said that in the village, water, electricity, medical or education fields have not been improved. The condition is as it is. Neither improvement is made nor are any efforts which are being made for the betterment.

Pokhran-II

Pokhran-II was the series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range in May 1998. It was the second Indian nuclear test; the first test, code-named Smiling Buddha, was conducted in May 1974.

Pokhran-II consisted of five detonations, of which the first was a fusion bomb and the remaining four were fission bombs. These nuclear tests resulted in a variety of sanctions against India by a number of major states, including Japan and the United States.

On 11 May 1998, Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) was initiated with the detonation of one fusion and two fission bombs; the word "Shakti" (Hindi: शक्ति) means "power" in Sanskrit. 



On 13 May 1998, two additional fission devices were detonated  and the Indian government led by prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee shortly convened a press conference to declare India a full-fledged nuclear state.

Many names are attributed to these tests; originally they were called Operation Shakti–98 (Power–98), and the five nuclear bombs were designated Shakti-I through Shakti-V. More recently, the operation as a whole has come to be known as Pokhran II, and the 1974 explosion as Pokhran-I.