Science News Desk !!! Raja Ramanna (English: Raja Ramanna, born – 28 January 1925; died – 24 September 2004) was an Indian nuclear scientist who played an important role in the development of India’s nuclear program. He joined India’s nuclear program in 1964 and initially worked under the supervision of the famous nuclear scientist Homi Jhangir Bhabha and after his death became the director of this program in 1967. He supervised and promoted scientific research related to the development of nuclear weapons. He was also the head of the scientific team that conducted India’s first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha) in 1974.
Raja Ramanna was born on January 28, 1925 at Tiptur in Tumkur, Mysore state. His father’s name was Ramanna and mother’s name was Rukmini. Child Ramanna showed a keen interest in music in his childhood, after which his parents introduced him to traditional western music. His early education began at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School in Bangalore where he mainly studied literature and traditional music. He earned a B.Sc. degree in Physics from Madras Christian College and also a B.A. degree in ‘Traditional Music’ in 1947. After this, he joined Bombay University from where he did M.Sc. in Physics and then M. Mus. in ‘Music’.
In 1952, Raja Ramanna received a Commonwealth scholarship after which he went to England to do his doctorate. He enrolled for a doctorate at King’s College, University of London and completed his doctorate in ‘nuclear physics’ in 1954. In the United Kingdom, he did his research at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment where he gained expertise in ‘nuclear fuel cycle’ and nuclear reactor designing. He had a keen interest in music and during his stay in England, he enjoyed European music and also read and learned about Western philosophy.
Raja Ramanna’s interest and enthusiasm for Western music and culture lasted throughout his life and after returning to India he perfected himself as a talented pianist. He performed traditional European music in many concerts in India and abroad. In 1956, on invitation of the National College of Arts and National Academy of Performing Arts of Pakistan, he gave a lecture on classical piano and also demonstrated his art.
Dr. Raja Ramanna was one of the most important persons associated with the country’s ‘nuclear program’ started by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. After completing his doctorate from England in 1954, he returned to India and joined the senior technical team at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center under the leadership of Homi Jhangir Bhabha. In 1958, he was appointed the Chief Directing Officer of this program. After the tragic death of Dr. Homi Jhangir Bhabha, he was made the head of this program and in 1974, under his leadership, India conducted its first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha), after which Raja Ramanna gained international fame and the Government of India honored him with the Padma Vibhushan.
In 1978, the then President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, proposed to Raja Ramanna to make an atomic bomb for Iraq, but he rejected the proposal and returned to India.
Later in his career, Raja Ramanna advocated for strict policies to prevent nuclear proliferation. He also traveled to Pakistan to attend the ‘International Physics Conference’ and delivered a speech on nuclear physics. He contributed significantly to efforts to establish peace between India and Pakistan and also played a leading role in preventing ‘nuclear conflict’ in the region. In 1984, he joined the International Atomic Energy Agency and was also the president of its 30th general meeting.
Dr. Raja Ramanna was a man of immense talent. He had a keen interest in music and philosophy along with nuclear physics. He was very proficient in playing the piano and performed his art in many festivals in India and abroad. Music was very close to his heart and he also wrote a book on this subject – ‘The Structure of Music in Raga and Western Systems (1993). He also wrote another book (autobiography) ‘Years of Pilgrimage’ (1991).
In 1990, Raja Ramanna was made the Minister of State for Defence in the V.P. Singh government. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1997 to 2003. He was also closely associated with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and was the chairman of its Board of Directors for three consecutive terms. In 2000, he was made the first director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies Bangalore.
In view of his work for the country, the Government of India honored Raja Ramanna from time to time. Raja Ramanna conducted India’s nuclear program for almost four decades, due to which he is considered the ‘Father of India’s Nuclear Program’. For his work for the nation, the Government of India honored him with high civilian honors like Padma Shri (1968), Padma Bhushan (1973) and Padma Vibhushan (1975). In 1963, he was awarded the ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award’ in the field of science and technology.
Raja Ramanna passed away on 24 September 2004. He was 79 years old at the time of his death.
