India's N-weapons architect is dead
By siliconindia   |   Friday, 24 September 2004, 19:30 IST
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MUMBAI: Dr. Raja Ramanna, the architect of India's nuclear weapons programme, died at the Bombay Hospital Thursday evening. He was 79. Dr. Ramanna, who was here to attend a conference, was taken ill Tuesday and was admitted to the hospital where he was diagnosed with an intestinal problem. His condition worsened suddenly and he lapsed into unconsciousness. He suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday and died some time after 7.30 p.m., hospital sources said. Dr. Ramanna led a team of scientists of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) that conducted India's first nuclear test at Pokhran in Rajasthan in May 1974. He later headed BARC between 1972 and 1978 and again from 1981 to 1983. A graduate of Madras University, the scientist did research in physics in Britain. In recognition of his scientific talent, he was made president of the Indian National Science Academy during 1977-78. Dr. Ramanna was minister of state for defence between January and November 1990 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha the same year. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.