Nuclear scientist Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram passes away

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, January 4, 2025: Eminent nuclear scientist and crystallographer Dr R Chidambaram - who played key roles in the Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II nuclear tests - passed away on Saturday.

He was 89.

Eminent nuclear scientist and crystallographer Dr R Chidambaram - who played key roles in the Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II nuclear tests - passed away, aged 89, on Saturday

He was not keeping well for the past few days. @DeccanHerald @IndiaBARC @iaeaorg pic.twitter.com/uEZ3H1a0rr

— Mrityunjay Bose (@MBTheGuide) January 4, 2025

He had not been keeping well for the past few days.

In his career as a scientist, Dr Chidambaram 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).

He was chairman of the board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during 1994–95.

Dr Chidambaram had also been the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

Dr Chidambaram played a key role in India’s nuclear weapons programme - having coordinated test preparation for the Pokhran-I (1975) and Pokhran-II (1998).

A proponent of the peaceful use of nuclear energy, he accelerated India’s nuclear power programme.

Dr Chidambaram has been conferred several awards including Padma Shri (1975) and Padma Vibhushan (1999).