Veteran nuclear scientist Rajagopala Chidambaram dies at 88

Scientis Rajagopala Chidambaram.
| Photograph Credit score: PTI

Eminent physicist Rajagopala Chidambaram, who performed a key function within the nuclear exams of 1975 and 1998, died on Saturday (January 4, 2025), in line with the Division of Atomic Power (DAE). He was 88.

Mr. Chidambaram, who was additionally related to the nuclear weapons programme, breathed his final at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, a DAE official stated.

“It’s with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, an eminent physicist and one in every of India’s most distinguished scientists, this morning [4 January 2025] at 3:20 a.m. Dr. Chidambaram’s unparalleled contributions to India’s scientific and strategic capabilities and his visionary management in science and expertise will without end be remembered,” an announcement issued by the DAE stated.

Born in 1936, Mr. Chidambaram was an alumnus of Presidency School in Chennai and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

Mr. Chidambaram held quite a few prestigious positions all through his profession, together with Principal Scientific Adviser to the federal government of India (2001–2018), director of Bhabha Atomic Analysis Centre (1990-1993), chairman of Atomic Power Fee, and secretary to the federal government of India, DAE (1993-2000).

He additionally served as chairman of the Board of Governors of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA) (1994–1995).

Mr. Chidambaram performed a pivotal function in shaping India’s nuclear capabilities.

“He performed an integral function within the nation’s first nuclear check in 1974, and led the Division of Atomic Power staff throughout the Pokhran-II nuclear exams in 1998. His contributions established India as a nuclear energy on the worldwide stage,” the assertion stated.

“As a world-class physicist, Dr. Chidambaram’s analysis in high-pressure physics, crystallography, and supplies science considerably superior the scientific group’s understanding of those fields. His pioneering work in these areas laid the inspiration for contemporary supplies science analysis in India,” it stated.

He championed initiatives in areas similar to vitality, healthcare and strategic self-reliance and steered quite a few initiatives that considerably superior India’s science and expertise panorama, it stated.

He was instrumental in initiating India’s indigenous growth of supercomputers and conceptualising the Nationwide Data Community, which related analysis and academic establishments throughout the nation.

An ardent advocate of making use of science and expertise to nationwide growth, Mr. Chidambaram established programmes similar to Rural Expertise Motion Teams and Society for Digital Transactions and Safety, and emphasised “coherent synergy” in India’s scientific efforts, in line with the assertion.

He was honoured with prestigious accolades, together with the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. He acquired honorary doctorates from a number of universities and was a fellow of eminent Indian and worldwide science academies.

Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, DAE, termed Mr. Chidambaram’s demise an irreparable loss.

“Dr. Chidambaram was a doyen of science and expertise whose contributions furthered India’s nuclear prowess and strategic self-reliance. His loss is an irreparable one for the scientific group and the nation,” he stated.

The DAE stated Mr. Chidambaram will probably be remembered as a “trailblazer, an inspirational chief, and a devoted mentor to numerous scientists and engineers”.

“The nation mourns the lack of a real visionary. Our heartfelt condolences exit to his household and family members throughout this time of grief,” it stated.