Padma Vibhushan awardee and architect of India’s nuclear power growth leaves behind a monumental legacy
Dr. MR Srinivasan, veteran nuclear scientist and former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s nuclear energy program and was instrumental in the development of 18 nuclear power units across the country, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Dr. Srinivasan was a towering figure in Indian science whose leadership helped lay the foundation for the country’s civilian nuclear capabilities.
Beginning his career in September 1955 with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Dr. Srinivasan worked closely with Dr. Homi Bhabha on the development of Apsara, India’s first nuclear research reactor, which attained criticality in August 1956. His contributions were critical to India’s early nuclear advancements and the subsequent establishment of a robust nuclear power infrastructure.
In 1974, he became the director of the power projects engineering division of the DAE and went on to serve as chairman of the Nuclear Power Board in 1984. Under his leadership, India saw the planning, development, and successful operation of several nuclear power plants.
He was appointed Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy in 1987, further amplifying his impact on the country’s strategic and civilian nuclear capabilities.
A nation mourns the loss of a scientific pioneer whose work powered India’s energy ambitions.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to Dr. Srinivasan, stating, “The demise of Dr. MR Srinivasan, a pioneering nuclear scientist and Padma Vibhushan recipient, marks a significant loss for India’s scientific community.”
Dr. Srinivasan’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Indian scientists and engineers who carry forward the vision of a self-reliant nuclear India.