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R Chidambaram, a world-class physicist who shaped India's nuclear weapons programme


Published on 2025-01-04 05:22:21 - MSN
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  • Rajagopala Chidambaram, a key figure in India's nuclear weapons programme, passed away at 88. He contributed significantly to nuclear physics and rural empowerment through advanced technologies. Chidambaram played a crucial role in India's atomic tests at Pokhran and held numerous esteemed positions,

R. Chidambaram, a distinguished physicist, has significantly influenced India's nuclear landscape. Born in 1936 in Chennai, he pursued his education at the University of Madras and later at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. His career took off at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), where he eventually became the Director. Chidambaram played a pivotal role in India's nuclear tests, notably the 1974 Smiling Buddha and the 1998 Pokhran-II tests, which established India as a nuclear power. His contributions extended to the development of the Shakti-I thermonuclear device. Beyond nuclear physics, he has been instrumental in science policy, serving as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and leading the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, reflecting his profound impact on India's scientific community and its strategic capabilities.

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