World War II stopped Dr Homi J. Bhabha, the father of India’s nuclear programme, from returning to the UK and continuing his research there. So he stayed back in India and that became a turning point for Indian science, especially atomic energy. Though perhaps it was a golden era of Indian science, going by the pathbreaking contributions by the likes of C.V. Raman, S.N. Bose, Meghnad Saha, J.C. Bose and others, it was Bhabha, a cosmic ray physicist, who ushered in an era of mission mode programmes. He used his proximity with the Tata family and prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to create an India-specific vision in atomic energy, space and electronics.
That was also the time when the development of nuclear weapons and a new geopolitics seemed to emerge. Bhabha ensured that the political leadership appreciated the ramifications of this emerging development from an Indian perspective, fully cognisant of the potential strengths of Indian scientific community. He did not want them to simply drift with the rest of the world.
While developments in China at that time did spark a debate on policy options for India, it was really the Bangladesh war that triggered the peaceful nuclear explosion experiment in May 1974. Underground nuclear explosions for peaceful applications were being pursued by some countries and discussed in conferences at the International Atomic Energy Agency. After India’s Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE), however, the term and the related programmes disappeared from the scene. India came under an intense technology denial regime. The Americans discontinued the contracted fuel supplies to Tarapur, while the Canadians withdrew from the collaborative programme to build two PHWR (pressurised heavy-water reactor) units in Rajasthan.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock