Chennai, Jan 4 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced profound sorrow over the passing of esteemed nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who died at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday, January 4, at the age of 88 following a brief illness.

Dr. Chidambaram was crucial to India's nuclear weapons initiative. He played an essential role in the nation’s first nuclear test in 1974 and the Pokhran-II tests in 1998, which solidified India's status as a nuclear power.

In a message on X, Prime Minister Modi remarked: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram. He was a leading architect of India’s nuclear program and made significant contributions towards enhancing India’s scientific and strategic capabilities. The entire nation will remember him with gratitude, and his work will inspire future generations.”

Dr. Chidambaram held several critical scientific and strategic roles, including Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

He also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A distinguished scholar, Dr. Chidambaram earned a B.Sc. Honours in Physics from Presidency College, Chennai, where he was a first-rank holder.

He later pursued a doctorate at the esteemed Indian Institute of Science (IISc), completing a Ph.D. in 1962.

His thesis, which focused on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, garnered him the Martin Forster Medal for the best doctoral thesis submitted to IISc.

Throughout his remarkable career, Dr. Chidambaram received numerous honors, including the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

He also received honorary doctorates from various universities and was a fellow of several renowned Indian and international scientific academies.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his condolences on X, stating: “I am saddened to learn of the passing this morning of eminent nuclear scientist Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who led India’s Atomic Energy Commission and played a vital role in the development of strategic weapons. Dr. Chidambaram’s contributions to the two nuclear tests conducted by India were remarkable.”

Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, described Dr. Chidambaram’s passing as an “irreparable loss” to the scientific community and the nation.

He remarked: “His contributions to India’s nuclear capabilities and strategic self-reliance will never be forgotten.”

The legacy of Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram as one of India’s most revered scientists and a key figure in its nuclear program will continue to inspire future generations.