New Delhi. The country’s senior nuclear scientist Rajagopal Chidambaram passed away. He was 88 years old, he played an important role in the nuclear tests of 1975 and 1998. An official of the Atomic Energy Department has given this information. The official said that Chidambaram, who was also associated with the nuclear weapons program, breathed his last at 3.20 am at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai.
He served as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. Chidambaram was awarded the Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan in 1975 and 1999. His health was not well for the last few days. In his career as a scientist, Dr. Chidambaram served as the Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Chairman of the 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 (R Chidambaram) was also the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. Dr. Chidambaram played a key role in India’s nuclear weapons program – conducting test preparations for Pokhran-I (1975) and Pokhran-II (1998).
A supporter of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, he spearheaded India’s nuclear power programme. Dr. Chidambaram has been honored with many awards including Padma Shri (1975) and Padma Vibhushan (1999). Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the demise of scientist R Chidambaram. Sharing an emotional post on his
