Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the demise of India’s nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram
New Delhi: On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his profound grief on the passing of Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, a key player in India’s nuclear program. Dr. Chidambaram’s achievements would continue to inspire future generations and be remembered with appreciation by the nation, Modi said, praising his revolutionary contributions to the country’s scientific and strategic accomplishments.
In a message on the social networking platform X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep sadness over Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram’s passing. He made revolutionary contributions to enhancing India’s scientific and strategic capabilities and was a major architect of the country’s nuclear program.
“He will be remembered with gratitude by the whole nation, and his efforts will inspire generations to come,” the X added to the post.
“Saddened to learn about the passing away this morning of eminent nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who led India’s Atomic Energy Commission and played a key role in the development of strategic weapons,” said Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, highlighting his crucial role in India’s nuclear program.
Singh went on to say of X, “Dr. Chidambaram’s contribution to India’s two nuclear tests was noteworthy. Additionally, he has the honor of serving as the Government of India’s Principal Scientific Advisor for 17 years. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and the Indian scientific community as a whole.
Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram’s remarkable journey became clear as the praise poured in. He obtained his early schooling in Chennai and Meerut before completing his Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, where he also earned his D.Sc. In 1962, he began working at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and in 1990, he was appointed Director.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram held several prominent positions, including secretary to the Indian government, Department of Atomic Energy (1993-2000); chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission; director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (1990-1993); and Principal Scientific Adviser to the Indian government (2001-2018).
In recognition of his enormous contributions to science and technology, Dr. Chidambaram received several distinguished honors over his illustrious career. These include the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary International Visiting Fellowship from the Indian National Science Academy in 1992 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Indian Institute of Science in 1991.
In 1995, the Indian Science Congress Association presented him with the C.V. Raman Birth Centenary Award, and in 1996, the Materials Research Society of India named him the Distinguished Materials Scientist of the Year.
He also received the Indian Physics Association’s R.D. Birla Award the same year. His accomplishments were further recognized in 2006 with the Indian Nuclear Society’s Homi Bhabha Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2007 with the Indian Science Congress’s General President Medal.
All of the more than 200 research publications he has published in peer-reviewed journals were carried out in India.
