nRenowned nuclear scientist and crystallographer Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram - who played an integral role in the Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II nuclear tests - passed away on Saturday, following a brief indisposition.
Dr Chidambaram, who had not been keeping well for some days, had been admitted to the Jaslok Hospital where he breathed his last in the early hours of Saturday. He was 89.
A high-pressure physicist and internationally-renowned crystallographer, Dr Chidambaram will long be remembered for his contributions to establish India as a nuclear weapons power on the global stage besides and give a boost to India’s nuclear power generation plan.
He was a trailblazer, an inspirational leader, and a dedicated mentor to countless scientists and engineers in the country. His life’s work has propelled India to the forefront of global science and technology, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations.Born on November 11, 1936, he was an alumnus of Presidency College, Chennai, and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, from where he also later got his D.Sc Degree.
Dr Chidambaram joined the Indian nuclear establishment in 1962, when Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the father of the country’s nuclear programme, helmed the affairs.
During his illustrious career as a scientist, Dr Chidambaram worked as the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) from 1990-93, Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) from 1993-2000. He was also the chairman of the board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during 1994–95.
A Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India from 2001–2018, Dr Chidambaram also served as a member of the IAEA’s Commission of Eminent Persons, contributing to the organisation’s vision for 2020 and beyond.
Apart from playing a pivotal part in shaping India's nuclear capabilities, Dr Chidambaram played an integral role in the nation’s first nuclear test in 1974, and led the DAE team during the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
He had worked with legends like Dr Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Homi Sethna, Dr Raja Ramanna, Dr M R Srinivasan, Dr P K Iyengar and groomed distinguished scientists like Dr Anil Kakodkar, who succeeded him.
During the Pokhran-I test carried out on May 18, 1974 (Smiling Buddha), Dr Chidambaram worked closely with Dr Rammana, Dr Sethna and Basanti Dulal Nag Chaudhuri, then then Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
During Pokhran-II on May 11 and 13, 1998 (Operation Shakti), Dr Chidambaram worked with then DRDO chief Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the President and Dr Kakodkar.
A visionary leader, Dr. Chidambaram believed in the power of science and technology to drive national development.
