MR Srinivasan led India's nuclear energy programme, but wanted a world free of nuclear weapons
Taking lessons from the father of India's nuclear programme, M.R. Srinivasan dedicated over 50 years to shaping India's nuclear energy ambitions. On Sunday, he passed away at 95, at a hospital in Ooty.
New Delhi: M.R. Srinivasan, the former chairperson of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, was only 24 when Homi Bhabha selected him to be a part of India's nuclear energy programme.
'Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. MR Srinivasan, a stalwart of India's nuclear energy program. His instrumental role in developing critical nuclear infrastructure has been foundational to our being self-reliant in the energy sector (sic),' the PM said in an X post.
'He is remembered for his inspiring leadership of the Atomic Energy Commission. India will always be grateful to him for advancing scientific progress and mentoring many young scientists. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti,' Modi added.
Top politicians and scientists joined the PM in mourning the loss of M.R. Srinivasan.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it was under the Padma Vibhushan awardee's leadership that India 'resolutely and successfully' withstood the withdrawal of Canadian association post-nuclear test of May 1974—a testing but essential time for India's nuclear programme.
'It has been my good fortune to have known him for a long time, and he is someone who has left a deep and lasting impression on me by the strength of his commitments, his deep appreciation of the larger social functions of science, and his profound understanding of India's rich cultural traditions,' Ramesh said in an X post.
M.R. Srinivasan's daughter S. Sharada posted on Facebook: 'My father suddenly took ill in Ooty over last night and passed away peacefully in hospital at 4am in hospital, my mother is with him..we are going from Bangalore now..'
'Appa..you always said that work was duty and that I should not miss a day of work regardless of other things..but still this is not fair..I had just told you of our plans to have 95th celebration of your life's work couple of days back,' she also wrote, addressing Srinivasan.
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Early life & work
Born 5 January 1930, M.R. Srinivasan had a degree in mechanical engineering from Bengaluru's University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE). He then completed his Master's and PhD in gas turbine technology from McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
In 1955, M.R. Srinivasan joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), roped in by Bhabha to be part of his hand-picked team assigned with the task of constructing Apsara, which achieved criticality in 1956.
During the span of his career, M.R. Srinivasan served as principal project engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station, chief project engineer at the Madras Atomic Power Station that produced electricity from nuclear energy for the first time in India, and director of the power projects engineering division at DAE, before he took over as the Atomic Energy Commission chairperson and the DAE secretary.
He also guided the development of 18 nuclear power units as the founding chairperson of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.
Detractor of nuclear weapons
The introverted scientist spent his post-retirement days between Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ooty, where his wife ran an eco-watch movement.
Having witnessed the rampage of nuclear energy on humankind during his visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, M.R. Srinivasan was a firm believer in its peaceful use.
'Mankind should do all it can to eliminate nuclear weapons from the earth and use nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes,' he said in 2002.
Srinivasan also insisted that the world collectively work to eliminate nuclear weapons.
'We must achieve the goal as early as possible,' he said.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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