Rourkela, Jan. 17: Srikumar Banerjee, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, today said availability of energy was essential for the economic growth of the country.

Bannerjee, who was addressing the 12th convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, said human development index was strongly related to the per capita energy consumption.

While the world per capita consumption average was 2500KWh, in India it is just 700KWh, he said.

He expressed dismay at the fact that 25 per cent of households in the country still did not have access to electricity. However, he also called for a balance between extensive growth of energy production and preserving the environment of the earth. Bannerjee also stressed on nuclear and solar energy production.

'I take pride in informing you that India has already developed adequate core competency in all aspects of nuclear energy, and its roadmap for the three-stage nuclear programme provides a blueprint for achieving sustainable energy security,' he said. Talking about solar energy, he said that at present, the country was generating only 0.5 per cent of it.

During the convocation, of the six top honours, girls bagged five. Susnata Roy bagged the best graduate award as BTech student, while Narapaneni Ragasudha got the Best MTech Student award and Kumari Swarnima received the Best PG (integrated) Student award.

The Best MBA Student award went to Bithika Jena, and Rutusmita Mishra was adjudged the Best MSc Student. Prakash Sarangi received the Best Undergraduate Project award in mechanical engineering.

Chairperson of the board of governors of NIT Vasantha Ramaswamy said: 'Over the years, the institute has rightly put emphasis on postgraduate studies. There are over 800 PhD scholars and over 1,500 postgraduate students, which is a very healthy sign for all.'

She also said the NIT alumni association, would celebrate its golden jubilee this year. 'So what better opportunity can be there for each one of you, the new alumni to interact with your seniors,' she said.

Director Sunil Kumar Sarangi said the NIT's effort was to be a visible part of the nation-building process. 'Our vision is to become an internationally acclaimed institute of higher learning that serves as a source of knowledge and expertise. Five years ago, the institute introduced integrated MSc, and this year, the first batch is completing its masters - which gives all of us a sense of pride,' he said.

He also said the NIT, Rourkela, had signed MoUs with many international institutes and universities. 'Five students have received the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to study in European Universities,' he said.

The director said the students had brought laurels to the institute in various competitions ranging from sports literary to cultural.

The NIT has introduced student medical policy. The institute has a fully dedicated power connection and is building a filtration plant. Other construction activities are also taking place.