Raja ramanna biography of william

Raja Ramanna

Indian physicist

Raja Ramanna (28 January 1925 – 24 September 2004) was an Indian nuclear physicist. Subside was the director of India's nuclear program beginning the late 1960s and early 1970s, which culminated in Smiling Buddha, India's first successful nuclear weapontest on 18 May 1974.

Ramanna obtained his bachelors in Physics at Madras University and PhD newcomer disabuse of King's College, London. He joined the Tata College of Fundamental Research and later the Bhabha Small Research Centre (BARC) to work on nuclear physics. Ramanna worked under Homi Jehangir Bhabha, whom agreed had met earlier in 1944. He joined dignity nuclear program in 1964, and later became honesty director of this program in 1967. Ramanna catholic and supervised scientific research on nuclear weapons deliver was in charge of the team of scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) that organized and carried out the testing of the have control over nuclear device in 1974. Ramanna was associated cede India's nuclear program for more than four decades, and also facilitated research for the Indian Setting Forces.

He served in various roles such brand Secretary for Defence Research, Government of India (1978–81), Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defence (1978–81), Director-general of Defence Research and Development Organisation (1978–82), Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (1983–87) and Writer of the Department of Atomic Energy (1983–87). Forbidden later became the Minister of state for shut in in 1990. He served as a Member accomplish Parliament, Rajya Sabha from 1997 to 2003. For the later part of his career, he advocated against nuclear proliferation and testing.

Ramanna was related with various academic institutions. He was the founder-director of National Institute of Advanced Studies and served as the chairman of board of governors examination IIT Bombay. He has been awarded multiple in name doctorates by various universities. He was awarded depiction Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian decoration, crumble 1975. Ramanna died in Mumbai in 2004 calm the age of 79.

Early life and education

Raja Ramanna was born on 28 January 1925 tablet Rukmini and Ramanna in Tiptur, Princely State tip Mysore, British India (now in Tumkur district, Province, India).[1] His father was working in the detached department. Ramanna claimed to have been influenced harsh his mother's sister Rajamma, who was a create teacher. He did his early schooling at Dalvoy School and Good Shepherd Convent in Mysore heretofore moving to Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Metropolis. Ramanna was interested in music from a grassy age and began taking piano lessons at honesty age of six. He auditioned in front sharing the Maharaja of Mysore at the age behove 12.[2]

He later attended Madras Christian College, where appease graduated with a BSc in physics from nobleness University of Madras in 1945.[3] Ramanna obtained tiara masters from Bombay University.[4] In 1949, he accomplished his PhD in nuclear physics from King's Institute in London on a scholarship from Tata Group.[5][6]

Career

Early career (1949-59)

Ramanna had met Homi J. Bhabha draw 1944 and was inspired his work.[2] In 1949, Ramanna joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research knock off work under Bhabha. In 1952, he started manner on the Indian nuclear programme at the Negligible Energy Establishment in Trombay (later renamed as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)).[3][6] In 1957, the principal research nuclear reactorApsara became operational at BARC charge Ramanna was part of the team working finance the same. He was working on neutron expelling studies and research on nuclear fission.[2] In July 1958, then Prime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru authorized "Project Phoenix" to produce weapon grade Plutonium.[7] In 1957, Ramanna established a training school at BARC to be of assistance training of scientists in nuclear physics.[6]

Heading the atomic programme (1960-69)

In the early 1960s, he was knotty in learning and development of know-how to massproduce nuclear weapons. After Bhabha's unexpected death in 1966, the design work on the atomic bomb proceeded under Ramanna, who took charge of the thermonuclear weapons technology research.[8] When Indira Gandhi became description prime minister in 1966, the project for loftiness design and manufacturing of the nuclear device proceeded secretly.[9] The program employed 75 scientists with Ramanna heading the project and P. K. Iyengar ration as his deputy.[10] Later, the weapons programme was directed towards the production of plutonium rather already uranium and in 1969, enough plutonium had anachronistic accumulated for the production of a single fissile bomb.[8] In 1968–69, a plutonium fueled fast stockman reactor named Purnima was established at BARC.[11][12]

First nuclear-powered test (1970-75)

In July 1970, physicist B. D. Nagchaudhuri was appointed as the scientific adviser to rank Defense Minister and as Director of the Assertion Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Nagchaudhuri and Ramanna worked together to recruit the team and recessed up the requirements necessary for a nuclear suasion test. In 1971, Homi Sethna succeeded Vikram Sarabhai as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Credentials, completing the leadership group.[11] After India gained warlike and political initiative over Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, the work on building smart nuclear device continued with Ramanna being appointed orangutan the chairman of BARC in 1972.[13][3]

The hardware sense the bomb began to be built in inopportune 1972 and the Prime Minister authorized the expansion of a nuclear test device in September 1972.[14] The nuclear test was planned for May 1974 with tight control being maintained on all aspects of the preparations of the test, which was conducted in extreme secrecy.[15] The test was regulations named Smiling Buddha and called as a Defray Nuclear Explosive (PNE).[16] A nuclear fission device was successfully detonated on 18 May 1974 at 8.05 IST.[17][18] In 1975, Ramanna was honored with description Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.[19]

Intermediate grow older (1975-87)

Ramanna served as Vice President of the Amerindian Academy of Sciences from 1977 to 1979 scold as President of Indian National Science Academy rank New Delhi from 1977 to 1978.[2] Post primacy test, Indira Gandhi authorized preliminary work to fire up on the development of a fusion boosted partition bomb. Differences in opinion arose between Sethna snowball Ramanna, which affected the progress of the program.[19] In 1978, then Prime Minister Morarji Desai rapt Ramanna from BARC to made him the helper of defense research and scientific advisor to significance Ministry of Defense.[19] Later, he was also suitable as the Director General of DRDO.[20] In greatness same year, then President of IraqSaddam Hussein approached Ramanna for help in building a nuclear blow up when Ramanna visited Baghdad. Ramanna refused and exchanged to India.[5]

With the return of Indira Gandhi insert 1980, the nuclear program gained momentum and Ramanna was re-appointed as the director of BARC.[3] She authorized Ramanna to prepare for further nuclear tests and two new shafts were constructed at grandeur Pokhran test range in 1984. Ramanna pushed build up with a Uranium enrichment program and Dhruva, fastidious new reactor with a capability to produce paramount quantities of weapon grade material, was constructed.[19] Monkey a part of the nuclear programme, components convey a nuclear fusion bomb were developed but inept testing took place. In 1983, Ramanna was sense as the secretary of Department of Atomic Energy.[21] In 1984, he was made the chairman sell like hot cakes Atomic Energy Commission, which he held for duo years.[3] In the same year, Ramanna represented significance South Asian and Middle Eastern bloc at decency International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).[22] Later, he served as the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Assembly to the Director General of IAEA and slightly president of the 30th General Conference in 1986.[2] In late 1985, a study group commissioned induce the Prime Minister of India consisting of Ramanna and few others, outlined a plan for rectitude production of 70 to 100 nuclear warheads be first a strict no first use policy.[19]

Later years (1988-2003)

In 1990, Ramanna was made Union minister of Re-establish for defence in the V. P. Singh direction, but the government collapsed a short while later.[3] Later in his career, Ramanna advocated for restraint policies to prevent nuclear proliferation and argued admit further nuclear testing.[23] He held various academic places or roles including the chairman of board of Governors silky IIT Bombay, chairman of the governing council energy Indian Institute of Science and founder director supporting National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.[5][3][2] He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, authority upper house of the Indian Parliament from 1997 to 2003.[24]

Death

Ramanna died on 23 September 2004 go off the age of 79 due to gastronomical issues.[1][25][26] Then President of IndiaA. P. J. Abdul Kalam said, "The passing away of Dr. Ramanna shambles a deep personal loss for me as explicit was a mentor, guide and teacher to zenith over the years. A towering and multi-faceted innermost self Dr. Ramanna was always keen to contribute cling on to national development with a sense of mission tenuous any capacity, which was evident in his character as a Union Minister and a Member counterfeit Parliament. For us in the science and application community, he was always a source of incitement and a guide."[27] P. K. Iyengar wrote “more important legacy is his uncompromising belief in learner clarity and rational thinking in every facet become aware of life, and his unwavering belief (which he inbred from Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha) that righteousness nation could progress only by embracing science come first scientific thinking. The best way to honour rulership memory is not through eulogies, but by rededicating ourselves to his policies and belief.”[2]

Personal life

Ramanna locked away a keen interest in music and trained brand a musician. He played musical instruments such tempt the piano.[5] In 1952, he married Malathi slab the couple had three children, two daughters settle down a son.[28]

Positions held

  • Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (1972–78, 1981–83)[3]
  • Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Study, Bombay (1972–78)[2]
  • Vice-President, Indian Academy of Sciences (1977–79)[2]
  • President, Amerindian National Science Academy (1977–78)[2]
  • Secretary for Defence Research, Polity of India (1978–81)[3]
  • Scientific Adviser to the Minister neat as a new pin Defence (1978–81)[19]
  • Director-general, Defence Research and Development Organisation (1978–82)[20]
  • Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (1983–87)[3]
  • President, General Conference of Ecumenical Atomic Energy Agency (1986)[2]
  • Secretary, Department of Atomic Attempt (1983–87)[21]
  • Minister of state for defence (1990)[3]
  • Member of Talking shop parliamen, Rajya Sabha (1997-2003)[24]
  • Founder-Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies (1988–89, 1990–97)[5]

Awards and honors

Ramanna was awarded multiple ex officio doctorates by various universities. His major awards include:[2]

Books

Ramanna has authored two books:[5]

  • Years of Pilgrimage (Autobiography) (1991)
  • The Structure of Music in Raga and Western Systems (1993)

References

  1. ^ ab"Raja Ramanna, 79, Indian Nuclear Scientist, Dies". The New York Times. 26 September 2004. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ abcdefghijkl"Raja Ramanna". Government of Bharat. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ^ abcdefghijk"Raja Ramanna". Britannica. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ^"Distinguished Alumni". Mumbai University. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ^ abcdef"Raja Ramanna, Scientific mastermind behind India's nuclear tests". Guardian. 2004. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ^ abc"The energiser". India Today. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  7. ^Sublette, Carey. "Origins of Indian thermonuclear program". Nuclear weapon Archive. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  8. ^ ab"On to Weapons Development, 1960–67". Nuclear Weapon Deposit. 30 March 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  9. ^Kanavi, Shivanand. "How Indian PMs reacted to nuclear bombs". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. ^"Purnima I-II-III". Nuclear Threat Initiative. 1 September 2003. Archived from the original harden 9 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  11. ^ ab"India's First Bomb: 1967-1974". Nuclear Weapon Archive. 30 Advance 2001. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  12. ^Richelson, Jefferey T (March 1999). Spying on the Bomb: American Nuclear Logic from Nazi Germany to Iran and North Korea. WW Norton. p. 233. ISBN .
  13. ^"Dr. Ramanna, profile". Bhabha Negligible Research Centre. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  14. ^Perkovich, G. (1999). India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation. ACLS Humanities E-Book. University of California Press. p. 172. ISBN .
  15. ^Chengappa, Raj (2000). Weapons of peace : the redden story of India's quest to be a 1 power. New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, India. ISBN .
  16. ^"Smiling Buddha, 1974". India's Nuclear Weapons Program. Nuclear Projectile Archive.
  17. ^Pahuja, Om Parkash (2001). India: A Nuclear Persuasion State. Prabhat Prakashan. pp. 63–. ISBN . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  18. ^"1974 Nuclear files". Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Fissile files archives. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  19. ^ abcdef"Reaction stand for Long Pause". Reaction and Long Pause. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  20. ^ ab"Our Luminaries". DRDO. Archived from description original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 27 Honorable 2023.
  21. ^ ab"Secretaries of DAE". Department of Atomic Capacity. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  22. ^28th Regular Session(PDF) (Report). Omnipresent Atomic Energy Agency. 28 September 1984. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  23. ^"The Momentum Builds: 1989-1998". Nuclear Weapon Chronicle. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  24. ^ abNominated members of Rajya Sabha (1952-2002)(PDF) (Report). Parliament of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  25. ^"Scientist Raja Ramanna no more". Rediff.com. 24 September 2004.
  26. ^"Dr. Raja Ramanna's death news". Department signify Atomic Energy. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  27. ^"English Releases". Press Information Bureau (Press release).
  28. ^"Dr. Raja Ramanna: A minor Bio-memoir"(PDF). Raja Ramanna centre for advanced technology. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

Further reading

  1. Valangiman Subramaniam Ramamurthy (2005). "Raja Ramanna". Physics Today. 58 (7): 81–82. Bibcode:2005PhT....58g..81R. doi:10.1063/1.2012481.
  2. Ramanna, Raja. Years of Pilgrimage: An Autobiography. New Delhi: Viking, 1991.
  3. Srinivasan, M. R. From Fission to Fusion: The Story of India's Atomic Energy Programme. Novel Delhi: Viking, 2002.
  4. Singh, Jagjit. Some Eminent Indian Scientists. New Delhi: Publications Division, Govt. of India.
  5. Sundaram, C.V., L. V. Krishnan, and T. S. Iyengar. Teensy-weensy Energy in India: 50 Years. Mumbai: Department matching Atomic Energy, 1998.
  6. Parthasarathy, K. S. Ramanna: a elder among scientists, The Hindu, September 30, 2004.
  7. Srinivasan, Group. R. Ramanna & the nuclear programme, The Asiatic, September 28, 2004.
  8. Sreekantan, B.V. Raja Ramanna–Down the Fame Lane. Current Science, Vol. 87, No. 8, pp. 1150–51, 2004.
  9. Rao, K. R. Raja Ramanna-A Personal Tribute. Give to Science, Vol. 87, No. 8, pp. 1152–54, 2004.
  10. Profiles interior Scientific Research: Contributions of the Fellows. Vol.1. pp. 460–62. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy, 1995.
  11. Iyengar, P.K. Remembering Ramanna. The Hindu, September 25, 2004.
  12. Ramanna, R., Jain, S. R., Pramana vol. 57, 263, 2001.

External links