Malur Ramasamy Srinivasan (1930-2025) was an eminent Indian nuclear scientist and mechanical engineer who played a pivotal role in the development of India’s nuclear energy program .
Key Contributions and Achievements:
- Early Career: Srinivasan began his career in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1955, working alongside Homi J. Bhabha on the construction of India’s first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which went critical in 1956 .
- Nuclear Power Development: He was appointed principal project engineer for India’s first atomic power station in 1959 and became chief project engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station in 1967 .
- Leadership Roles: Srinivasan held several key positions, including Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division at DAE and Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board . In 1987, he became Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission . He also became the founding chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) .
- Nuclear Power Plants: Under his leadership, 18 nuclear power units were developed in India .
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Srinivasan served as a senior advisor at the IAEA in Vienna from 1990 to 1992 .
- Planning Commission: He was a member of India’s Planning Commission from 1996 to 1998, handling Energy and Science & Technology portfolios .
- Awards and Recognition: Srinivasan was honored with several of India’s highest civilian awards, including the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (1990), and Padma Vibhushan (2015) .
Srinivasan’s work was essential in establishing India’s self-sufficiency in the nuclear energy sector . He is remembered for his leadership, his contributions to scientific progress, and his mentorship of young scientists . He passed away on May 20, 2025, at the age of 95 . for eminent perosnality news click www.eminentnews.com
