Nuclear scientist Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram passes away

In his career as a scientist, Dr Chidambaram has worked as the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Mumbai: Eminent nuclear scientist Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram - who played a key role in both the Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II nuclear tests - passed away on Saturday.

Dr Chidambaram’s contributions established India as a nuclear weapons power on the global stage besides giving a massive boost to India’s nuclear power generation plan.

Dr Chidambaram, a high-pressure physicist and internationally-renowned crystallographer, will be remembered as a trailblazer, an inspirational leader, and a dedicated mentor to countless scientists and engineers. His life’s work has propelled India to the forefront of global science and technology, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations.

He was 89.

The scientist had not been keeping well and was hospitalised a few days before his death. He breathed his last at the Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai in the wee hours of the morning.

Dr Chidambaram held numerous prestigious roles throughout his illustrious career.

Born in 1936, Chidambaram completed his early education in Meerut. He was an alumnus of Presidency College, Chennai, and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, from where he also got his D.Sc Degree.

He joined the Indian nuclear establishment in 1962, when Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the father of the country’s nuclear programme, was in charge.

In his 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.

Later, he was appointed the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India from 2001–2018, playing a pivotal role in shaping India's nuclear capabilities. 

He also served as a member of the IAEA’s Commission of Eminent Persons, contributing to the organisation’s vision for 2020 and beyond.

The highlight of his career as a scientist was when he 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 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 on 18 May, 1974 (Smiling Buddha), Dr Chidambaram worked closely with Dr Rammana, Dr Sethna and Basanti Dulal Nag Chaudhuri, then Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 

During Pokhran-II on 11 and 13 May, 1998 (Operation Shakti), he worked with then DRDO chief Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the President and Dr Kakodkar. 

Dr Chidambaram was a visionary leader who believed in the power of science and technology to drive national development. He championed initiatives in areas such as energy, healthcare, and strategic self-reliance, and he steered numerous projects that significantly advanced India’s science and technology landscape. 

He was instrumental in initiating India’s indigenous development of supercomputers and conceptualising the National Knowledge Network, which connected research and educational institutions across the country.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Dr Chidambaram was honoured with prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. He received honorary doctorates from several universities and was a fellow of eminent Indian and international science academies.