Scientist R Chidambaram, a key player in India's two atomic explosions, dies at 88

PM SHARES CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

Legendary nuclear scientist Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram, widely acknowledged as architect of India's 'Smiling Buddha' operation, died on Saturday in Mumbai at the age of 88.

He was a key player in both of India's atomic explosions at Pokhran in 1974 and 1998.

He served as the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission and later became the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1999 for his stellar contributions to making India a nuclear weapons state.

A nuclear physicist by training, he was known for his brevity, genteel manner, and discretion in safeguarding national secrets.

He headed the nuclear component of the 1998 Operation Shakti at Pokhran, making him one of the rare atomic scientists who contributed to both Smiling Buddha in 1974 and Operation Shakti in 1998.

Chidambaram breathed his last at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, a Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened" by the demise of Chidambaram.

"He was one of the key architects of India's nuclear programme and made ground-breaking contributions in strengthening India's scientific and strategic capabilities."