Dr Sekhar Basu, leading nuclear scientist of India is no more!
Veteran atomic scientist and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Dr Sekhar Basu succumbed to COVID-19 early on Thursday at a private hospital in Kolkata, a health department official said. ‘Dr Basu was suffering from COVID-19 and other kidney ailments. He died at 4.50 am,’ the official said. He breathed his last just three days after turning 68.
Dr Basu was one of the foremost scientists working diligently in the sphere of nuclear energy. His role in devising unique methods for disposal of nuclear waste has been highly appreciated by the scientific fraternity. A mechanical engineer, Dr Basu is revered for his contributions to the country's atomic energy programme. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2014. He had also pioneered the highly complex reactor for India's first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mourned the demise of Basu and extended her condolences to his family. ‘Grieved to hear about the passing away of veteran nuclear scientist and former Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Dr Sekhar Basu. My condolences to his family and colleagues,’ she tweeted. Describing Dr Basu's death as an untimely loss, eminent physicist and Padma Shri-recipient Bikash Sinha said ‘the country lost a wonderful engineer and a gentleman.’
He was an ingenious engineer who worked very hard for our nuclear programme. Basu also did a brilliant job for the nuclear-powered submarine. Born on 20 September, 1952, Basu did his schooling from the city's Ballygunge Government School and then graduated in mechanical engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), University of Mumbai, in 1974. After completing a year's training in nuclear science and engineering at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) School, he joined its Reactor Engineering Division in 1975. He had also worked as the project director of the Nuclear Submarine Programme at BARC, before taking over as its director in 2012. He left the post when he was given the charge of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
