The Scientist Who Changed India | Story of India's First Nuclear Test

Recognizing that he needed to be where great scientific discoveries were unfolding, Bhabha wrote a heartfelt letter to his father expressing his burning desire to study physics abroad.

Convinced of his son's potential, Bhabha's father gave him permission to pursue his dreams at Cambridge. But there was a condition - Bhabha had to come first in his final engineering exam. Determined, he poured his heart and soul into his studies, emerging victorious by securing the top position. This accomplishment served as a stepping stone for Bhabha's remarkable journey.

At Cambridge, Bhabha delved into extensive research, securing fellowships and collaborating with notable scientists. In 1935, his dedication and hard work culminated in the award of a Ph.D. degree, recognizing his groundbreaking research on cosmic radiation. 

Excited to make further strides in his academic career, Bhabha applied for a position at a university in Liverpool. However, even his extraordinary abilities couldn't make him immune to rejection, as the renowned physicist James Chadwick turned him down.

Bhabha's plans to continue his research in England were abruptly disrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Desperate to return to England, he tried fervently to convince the Indian government to grant him permission. 

However, the war imposed strict restrictions on movements in Europe, making it impossible for him to leave. Undeterred, Bhabha started reaching out to physicists in India and was eventually invited to the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

It was in Bangalore that Bhabha's path intersected with another brilliant mind, Vikram Sarabhai, who was pursuing a Ph.D. under the guidance of the eminent physicist C.V. Raman. Bhabha and Sarabhai quickly formed a deep friendship, sharing a common passion for scientific progress.

While circumstances may have prevented Bhabha from continuing his research abroad, he never lost sight of his ultimate goal - to build a research school for fundamental physics in India. He took pen to paper, writing a powerful letter to the chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, emphasizing the importance of nurturing intellectual growth and establishing educational institutions similar to those in other countries.

Furthermore, Bhabha requested the Bombay government to lend their support in constructing the much-needed research school.

Showing his unwavering commitment to the field of nuclear physics, Bhabha played a pivotal role in India's atomic energy program. In 1945, Indian scientists formed an Atomic Energy Committee, which later evolved into a Board of Research, chaired by Bhabha himself.

 This committee gained formal powers through legislation introduced to the Constituent Assembly by Prime Minister Nehru, acting on a draft prepared by Bhabha.

The first tangible step in India's nuclear journey came in 1956 with the construction of the nation's first nuclear reactor, Apsara. This milestone marked the beginning of a significant chapter in India's scientific progress.

With the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission, Bhabha set in motion a three-stage nuclear program aimed at utilizing thorium in nuclear reactors. It took fifteen years for India to mine the necessary uranium to fuel this ambitious program.

India's pursuit of nuclear technology faced challenges when it came to its position on the global stage. The country found itself at odds with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its stance on nuclear weapons. While some scientists, like Vikram Sarabhai, opposed the development of atomic bombs, others, such as Homi Sethna, played a crucial role in India's first nuclear test.

Finally, in 1974, India conducted its first nuclear explosion, code-named Operation Smiling Buddha or Pokhran-1. This test sent shockwaves through the international community and reshaped India's nuclear policy. It propelled India onto the world stage as one of the few nuclear-capable countries.

The story of India's peaceful nuclear explosion in 1974 is one of determination, scientific pursuit, and a nation's desire to carve its place in the annals of history. Dr. Homi Bhabha's unwavering dedication to physics and his role in driving India's nuclear program continues to inspire generations of scientists to this day.