Rajagopala Chidambaram, a brilliant physicist who helped shape India’s nuclear program, died on January 4 at the age of 88. He was a key figure in India becoming a nuclear power, participating in the country’s first nuclear test, “Smiling Buddha,” in 1974, and the Pokhran-II tests in 1998. He passed away in Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) remembered him fondly, noting his “unmatched contributions to India’s science and technology.” Chidambaram was born in 1936 and studied at Presidency College in Chennai and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.
A Remarkable Career
Chidambaram held many important positions. From 2001 to 2018, he served as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Indian government. He was also the director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and led the Atomic Energy Commission.
He played a major role in India’s first nuclear test in 1974 and directed the team that conducted the Pokhran-II tests, firmly establishing India as a global nuclear power.
Chidambaram’s work in physics, especially in areas like high-pressure physics and materials science, helped advance these fields significantly in India. He also focused on projects that improved energy, healthcare, and technology in the country.
Chidambaram was a pioneer in developing supercomputers and launched the National Knowledge Network, which connected research institutions across India. His efforts earned him numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. He also received honorary doctorates and was a fellow of several prestigious science academies around the world.
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