India has lost a great mind in nuclear science, Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who was 88. He played a big part in India’s nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1974 and 1998. Dr. Chidambaram passed away on Saturday at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, and he was known for his important contributions to science, receiving the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
A unique story from his life happened at his daughter’s wedding. Just before the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, important discussions about the nuclear program took place while guests were enjoying the wedding in Mumbai. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who coordinated the tests and later became India’s President, was at the wedding. Dr. Chidambaram recounted this story in a lecture. He and Dr. Kalam slipped into a room to quietly discuss last-minute preparations for the tests while guests wondered where they had gone.
In 1974, during the first tests, Dr. Chidambaram safeguarded plutonium while it was transported to the test site. When India planned more tests in 1998, they had to keep it a secret because the U.S. had satellites that could see everything. Dr. Kalam, who was also a key player, used clever tactics to hide their plans, contributing to the success of the tests on May 11 and 13, 1998. His message to the Prime Minister after the tests was, “Buddha smiled again,” meaning everything went well.
The tests were called Operation Shakti, which began with a disguised shipment of “apples” sent from Mumbai to Jaisalmer, hiding the nuclear bombs inside. The team worked stealthily, even camping outdoors for months to avoid attention. They prepared five wells for testing deep in the ground, with names like Taj Mahal and Kumbhkaran, to ensure nobody suspected anything.
Dr. Chidambaram and Dr. Kalam were crucial to making India a recognized nuclear power, and their story of sacrifice and secrecy is a huge part of India’s history.
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