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The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Nuclear scientist M.R. Srinivasan laid to rest in Coonoor with state honours
The mortal remains of eminent nuclear scientist and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission M.R. Srinivasan were laid to rest with full state honours at the Wellington crematorium in Coonoor on Tuesday. District Revenue Officer M. Narayanan laid a wreath, followed by a gun salute by police personnel, in the presence of Mr. Srinivasan's family and friends. Mr. Srinivasan, who had been living in the Nilgiris, passed away at the age of 95 on May 20. He was also a former Secretary to the Department of Atomic Energy. He worked alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha on the construction of the country's first nuclear reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956. He was appointed Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station in 1959. He then took charge as Chief Project Engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station; became Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division, DAE; and was appointed Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board in 1984. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in recognition of his contributions to India's nuclear energy programme. On May 20, following his death, top officials from the Nilgiris district administration, including Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru and Superintendent of Police N.S. Nisha paid their respects to him.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
M.R. Srinivasan, a key architect of India's nuclear programme, no more
M.R. Srinivasan, the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, passed away in Udhagamandalam on Tuesday (May 20, 2025). He was 95-years-old. Srinivasan joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in September 1955 and began his distinguished career working alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha on the construction of India's first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956. In August 1959, he was appointed Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station. His leadership continued to shape the nation's nuclear program when, in 1967, he took charge as Chief Project Engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station. Srinivasan held several key positions of national importance. In 1974, he became Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division, DAE, and in 1984, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board. In these roles, he oversaw the planning, execution, and operation of all nuclear power projects across the country. In 1987, he was appointed Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. That same year, he became the Founder-Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Under his leadership, 18 nuclear power units were developed — seven of which were operational, seven under construction, and four in the planning stage. His contributions to India's nuclear energy landscape will be remembered for generations to come, his daughter, Sharada Srinivasan said in a statement released by the family. In recognition of his contributions to India's nuclear energy program, Srinivasan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, one of the nation's highest civilian honours. 'India will always be grateful to him for advancing scientific progress and mentoring many young scientists,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media platform X. 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. He is remembered for his inspiring… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2025 Congress by Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh wrote on X: '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.' India's legendary nuclear technologist Dr. M. R. Srinivasan has just passed away. Picked by Homi Bhabha himself, he played a pivotal role in the setting up of India's very first nuclear power plant at Tarapur in the late 60s. Later he led the team that established India's… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 20, 2025 Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and other leaders condoled Srinivasan's demise. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a legendary architect of India's nuclear energy programme and a Padma Vibhushan recipient. His visionary leadership and scientific acumen were central to building the nation's self-reliance in atomic energy,' the Raj Bhavan quoted Governor Ravi as saying, in a social media post. In a social media post, Mr. Stalin said: 'We mourn the passing of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a pillar of India's atomic energy programme. He began his journey with Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, building our first reactor. Over decades, he led the creation of 18 nuclear power units, driving energy self-reliance. A true nation builder. My deepest condolences.'
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
MR Srinivasan, doyen of India's nuclear power programme, dies at 95 in Ooty
Udhagamandalam: , the nuclear scientist and former chairman who was instrumental in the development of India's nuclear power programme, died in Ooty on Tuesday. He was 95. Srinivasan was admitted to a private hospital in Ooty after he complained of discomfort on Monday afternoon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He died after suffering cardiac arrest on Tuesday. Srinivasan is survived by his wife, Geetha Srinivasan, daughter Sharadha Srinivasan and son Raghuvir Srinivasan. Srinivasan had the distinction of working with Homi J Bhabha on the construction of India's first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which went critical in Aug 1956. His career was marked by associations with the most hallowed names in India's atomic power programme, including Vikram Sarabhai, Homi Sethna and Dr Raja Ramanna. Born on Jan 5, 1930 in Karnataka, Malur Ramasamy Srinivasan finished his schooling at Mysore. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1950 from UVCE, then a new engineering college founded by M Visvesvaraya. After his master's in 1952, he was awarded a PhD by McGill University, Montreal, in 1954. Specialising in gas turbine technology, he joined the Department of Atomic Energy in Sept 1955 and worked alongside Bhabha. In Aug 1959, Srinivasan was appointed principal project engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station. He went on to become the chief project engineer of Madras Atomic Power Station. Srinivasan held several key positions of national importance, which included director of the power projects engineering division in DAE and chairman of the Nuclear Power Board wherein he oversaw the planning, execution, and operation of all nuclear power projects across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In 1987, he became chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. In the same year, he also became the founder-chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. Under his leadership, 18 power units were developed. He was awarded a in 2015 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to India's programme. V S Ramamurthy, former secretary, department of science and technology, called Srinivasan one of the earliest architects of the Department of Atomic Energy. "I consider MRS a walking dictionary of nuclear power in the country," Ramamurthy told TOI. "In the mid-1980s, MRS was the first one in the country to organise a public debate on nuclear safety, in Bengaluru. His knowledge of the power reactor scenario was fantastic, and Kalpakkam reactor is an example for which he was in-charge then," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Srinivasan's passing. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr M R Srinivasan, a stalwart of India's nuclear energy programme. His instrumental role in developing critical nuclear infrastructure has been foundational to our being self-reliant in the energy sector. 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. M y thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti," he posted on X. TN governor R N Ravi said said Srinivasan's visionary leadership and scientific acumen were central to building the nation's self-sufficiency in nuclear energy. TN chief minister M K Stalin called Srinivasan a "pillar of India's atomic energy programme" and "a true nation builder". Srinivasan had made Ooty his home after retirement and divided his time between the hill town and Bengaluru.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Who was M R Srinivasan? Veteran nuclear scientist passes away at 95; PM Modi condoles demise
Dr. M R Srinivasan, the former Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission, passed away on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, at the age of 95. The veteran scientist suddenly fell ill overnight in Ooty and peacefully passed away in the local hospital at 4 a.m. on Tuesday. 'My father suddenly took ill in Ooty over last night and passed away peacefully in hospital at 4 am in hospital, my mother is with him.. we are going from Bangalore now..,' said Sharada Srinivasan, the daughter of the late veteran scientist according to a social media post on Facebook post. M R Srinivasan was the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission who played a major role in developing India's nuclear power programme. Malur Ramasamy (M R) Srinivasan, born in Janaury 1930, was an Indian nuclear scientist and mechanical engineer who was also responsible for the development of a Pressurised heavy-water reactor (PHWR) in India. After joining the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in September 1955, Srinivasan worked with Dr. Homi Bhabha on the nation's first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956. In 1959, he was appointed as the Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station and later in 1967, he took charge of the Madras Atomic Power Station as its Chief Project Engineer. In 1974, he became the Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division, DAE, and later, in 1984, he was promoted to the Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board, where he oversaw the planning, execution, and operation of all nuclear power projects across the nation. In 1987, he finally became the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's highest civilian recognition for all his contributions to the Indian nuclear programme. M R Srinivasan completed his schooling in Mysore and later joined the engineering college (currently UVCE) by M. Visvesvaraya, where he finished his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. He also did his Master's in gas turbine technology from McGill University in Canada in 1954. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post, expressed his condolences on the demise of veteran scientist M R Srinivasan. Modi highlighted how Srinivasan's role in developing India's nuclear infrastructure has been foundational for the industry. Modi extended his personal thoughts and the nation's gratefulness for all his contributions to his family and friends at this hour of loss. '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. 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,' said PM Modi in his social media post on the platform X. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also shared his condolences on a Facebook post. 'We mourn the passing of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a pillar of India's atomic energy programme,' said Stalin. 'Over decades, he led the creation of 18 nuclear power units, driving energy self-reliance. A true nation builder. My deepest condolences,' he said.
News18
20-05-2025
- Science
- News18
5 Things To Know About MR Srinivasan, Veteran Nuclear Scientist Passed Away At 95
Last Updated: Dr. Srinivasan was a veteran Indian nuclear scientist and former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. He played a key role in developing the country's first nuclear reactors. MR Srinivasan, the veteran scientist who died in Tamil Nadu's Udhagamandalam on Tuesday, was the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and played a key role in the country's indigenous nuclear energy programme. His demise was announced by his family, which, in a statement stated, 'We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr MR Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)." He was 95 and is survived by his wife and daughter. HERE ARE 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MR SRINIVASAN Srinivasan joined the DAE in September 1955 and began his distinguished career working alongside Dr Homi Bhabha on the construction of the country's first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality a year later. In 1959, he was appointed as the Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India's first atomic power station. He held several key positions of national importance, such as the Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division, DAE, and Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board. In 1987, he was appointed Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. That same year, he became the Founder-Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Under his leadership, 18 nuclear power units were developed—seven of which were operational, seven under construction, and four in the planning stage. First Published: May 20, 2025, 14:08 IST
