Homi Jehangir Bhabha was an Indian nuclear physicist, founding director, and professor of physics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. He is considered to be the father of India's nuclear program and played a crucial role in the development of India's first nuclear bomb.
Born on October 30, 1909, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Bhabha received his early education at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. He then went on to study at Elphinstone College, where he received his Bachelor's degree in 1930. After completing his undergraduate studies, Bhabha received a scholarship to study at Cambridge University in England, where he earned his Master's degree in Physics in 1933.
Upon returning to India, Bhabha began working as a professor of physics at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. In 1943, he was appointed as the head of the Department of Cosmic Ray Research at the Institute. It was during this time that Bhabha made significant contributions to the field of cosmic ray physics, including the discovery of the Bhabha scattering process, which is a fundamental process in the scattering of high-energy particles.
In 1945, Bhabha was appointed as the founding director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai. Under his leadership, TIFR became one of the premier research institutions in the country and played a crucial role in the development of India's nuclear program.
In 1948, Bhabha established the Nuclear Science Centre in Trombay, which later became the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Under his leadership, BARC became the hub of India's nuclear research and development efforts, and Bhabha played a key role in the development of India's first nuclear bomb, which was tested in 1974.
In addition to his contributions to India's nuclear program, Bhabha also made significant contributions to the field of science education in India. He was a strong advocate for the promotion of science and technology education in the country and worked towards establishing a network of scientific institutions across the country.
Bhabha received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to science, including the Padma Bhushan in 1954 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1966. He was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in London in 1958.
Homi Jehangir Bhabha passed away in an air crash on January 24, 1966, at the age of 56. His contributions to India's nuclear program and to the field of science education continue to be remembered and celebrated in the country.
