raja ramanna dead
Nuclear scientist Raja Ramanna dead
MUMBAI, Sept 24/2004:
Eminent nuclear scientist and former Minister of State for Defence Raja Ramanna, who played a key role in the Pokhran I nuclear test, died here this morning following a brief illness.
He was 79.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
Bombay hospital sources said Ramanna, who was admitted to the intensive care unit in a critical condition on Monday, passed away at 0315 hrs.
Ramanna was the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) during 1983-87 and the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre during 1972-78 and 1981-83.
He played a key role in the May 18, 1974 peaceful nuclear test in the Pokhran ranges of Rajasthan.
In 1990, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha and the scientist-statesman was the Minister of State for Defence.
Ramanna had been a consistent campaigner for the important place to be accorded to nuclear power in energy planning.
In matters concerning nuclear weapons and the non-proliferation treaty, he had clearly formulated views that moulded the national policy.
Ramanna completed BSC honours in Physics from Christian college, Madras in 1945 and left for the UK to work in the field of nuclear physics at the king’s college, London for his Doctoral Degree, which he was conferred with in 1949.
He was one of the earliest to Join Dr Homi J Bhabha — father of India’s nuclear programme — at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Later, he moved to the atomic energy establishment.
During his long and distinguished career with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), he was associated with several important events besides the Pokhran I nuclear test.
He was a reactor physicist in the team under H J Bhabha when India’s first research reactor was commissioned on August 4, 1956.
Ramanna was present in his capacity as AEC Chairman when the fast breeder test reactor attained first criticality at Kalpakkam on the night of October 18, 1985.
Ramanna moved to New Delhi in 1978 as scientific advisor to the Defence Minister. Before his return to dae three years later, he introduced many significant changes in the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).
In 1981, he became the secretary in charge of research and development in the DAE. Dr Ramanna played a leading role in organising physics and reactor physics programmes at Trombay.
It was at his initiative that the construction of the variable energy cyclotron was taken up in 1970.
During the 80s, Ramanna took the initiative in setting up the centre for advanced technology in Indore. (UNI)
MUMBAI, Sept 24/2004:
Eminent nuclear scientist and former Minister of State for Defence Raja Ramanna, who played a key role in the Pokhran I nuclear test, died here this morning following a brief illness.
He was 79.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
Bombay hospital sources said Ramanna, who was admitted to the intensive care unit in a critical condition on Monday, passed away at 0315 hrs.
Ramanna was the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) during 1983-87 and the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre during 1972-78 and 1981-83.
He played a key role in the May 18, 1974 peaceful nuclear test in the Pokhran ranges of Rajasthan.
In 1990, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha and the scientist-statesman was the Minister of State for Defence.
Ramanna had been a consistent campaigner for the important place to be accorded to nuclear power in energy planning.
In matters concerning nuclear weapons and the non-proliferation treaty, he had clearly formulated views that moulded the national policy.
Ramanna completed BSC honours in Physics from Christian college, Madras in 1945 and left for the UK to work in the field of nuclear physics at the king’s college, London for his Doctoral Degree, which he was conferred with in 1949.
He was one of the earliest to Join Dr Homi J Bhabha — father of India’s nuclear programme — at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Later, he moved to the atomic energy establishment.
During his long and distinguished career with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), he was associated with several important events besides the Pokhran I nuclear test.
He was a reactor physicist in the team under H J Bhabha when India’s first research reactor was commissioned on August 4, 1956.
Ramanna was present in his capacity as AEC Chairman when the fast breeder test reactor attained first criticality at Kalpakkam on the night of October 18, 1985.
Ramanna moved to New Delhi in 1978 as scientific advisor to the Defence Minister. Before his return to dae three years later, he introduced many significant changes in the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).
In 1981, he became the secretary in charge of research and development in the DAE. Dr Ramanna played a leading role in organising physics and reactor physics programmes at Trombay.
It was at his initiative that the construction of the variable energy cyclotron was taken up in 1970.
During the 80s, Ramanna took the initiative in setting up the centre for advanced technology in Indore. (UNI)
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