Pokhran Nuclear Tests 1998 – Operation Shakti and the Tamil Nadu connection
Russia attacked Ukraine more than 2 months ago. The whole world was stunned then, but now it is being seen as reality and a grave situation to deal with. Have we ever wondered , what gave Russia the emboldened arrogance and impunity to invade a neighbouring country ? Military superiority, political aggression, expansionist ideas, call it what one may; among the multitude of reasons, we should’nt forget the fact that Ukraine is NOT a nuclear power and does not have a nuclear deterrent in its military arsenal to defend itself. Ukraine was also one of the most severe critics of India’s nuclear program in 1998.
Can we envisage a scenario if India had bowed to international pressure and avoided a nuclear test in 1998 ? Would we have stood up to a slimy bully like China or any world power had we not created a strong nuclear deterrent ? On this occasion of the 24th anniversary of our nuclear tests(May 11th), lets remember few men who made India a nuclear power.
There were numerous patriots who worked tirelessly for the success of India’s nuclear program from across the country. This article is a humble tribute to some of the patriotic scientists of Tamil origin who played a critical role in the journey. These “people gems” who rose from the great soil of Tamil Nadu are real life heroes, unlike the reel “stars” marketed and glamourized by the misguided Tamil film industry.
The entire operation of testing fission and fusion bombs was code named “Operation Shakti” and had these men (among others) in the core team : Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Dr. R. Chidamabaram, Dr. K. Santhanam.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam , apart from being referred as the “People’s President” was also called the “Missile Man of India”. He headed the Defence Research Development Organization(DRDO) during the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998. He was born in the temple town of Rameswaram in TN. His life is well known and often quoted to inspire youngsters to be proud nationalists and dream big for the nation.
- Chidambaram
Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission during the Pokhran tests. He was the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India and the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet from 2001 to 2018. He was born in Chennai in 1936 and is one of India’s most distinguished experimental physicists. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and the Distinguished Alumnus award of the Indian Institute of Science in 1991.
- Santhanam
Dr. Krishnamurthy Santhanam was a nuclear scientist and the field director of the DRDO and played a noteworthy role in the Pokhran nuclear tests. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999.
These men of high scientific fervour have demonstrated a strong will and contributed in shaping India’s nuclear power through their intellectual prowess. Humble pranams to these great sons of Bharat Mata from the holy and dharmic soil of Tamil Nadu !
Bharat Mata ki Jai !
– Writer :- Balaji Murali
Reference links :
https://theprint.in/opinion/pokhran-anniversary-how-we-built-the-nuclear-bomb/57500/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-pokhran-nuclear-tests-1998-happened-5172010/
https://home.iitd.ac.in/uploads/r-chidambaram.pdf
https://www.ldmf.org.in/pdfs/Biography%20of%20Dr.%20R.%20Chidambaram.pdf
https://newsonair.com/2021/04/26/eam-defence-minister-express-grief-over-demise-of-nuclear-scientist-krishnamurthy-santhanam/