In Pics: Rocket Boys - All you need to know about Dr Homi Bhabha

Dr. Bhabha’s early life and studies:

Born in a yet-to-be-free India, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha was a bright mind who got the opportunity to study at Cambridge University. This aspect was highlighted in the series, since Dr. Vikram Sarabhai also studied at Cambridge.

Breakthrough in nuclear physics:

Dr. Bhabha’s first scientific paper ‘The absorption of Cosmic radiation’ spoke volumes of the level of his work. He explained how electron showers and produced in and absorbed by the cosmic rays through his paper. Dr. Bhabha’s focus lay in electrons, as could be seen in the papers he submitted and the work he did.

Working with CV Raman and building Tata Institute of Fundamental Research:

Dr. Bhabha joined the Indian Institute of Science, headed by CV Raman. He taught physics to the students there and later, established Cosmic Ray Research Unit at the institute. With some help from JRD Tata, Dr. Bhabha then established Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

Convincing PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for nuclear programme:

Dr. Bhabha remained in India during World War II and made the most out of his stay. He convinced India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for the country’s nuclear programme, which would be India’s response to war. He also served as the first chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, which began with the purpose of launching nuclear weapons.

The base for Bhabha Atomic Research Centre:

When Dr. Bhabha was assigned with creating India’s first bomb, he started working at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) but soon realized that the research requires a lot more space and thus, with the help of Bombay government, he acquired 1200 acres of land in Trombay. This piece of land was called Atomic Energy Establishment Trombay (AEET) back in 1954. It was renamed to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre after Dr. Bhabha’s demise.

Dr. Bhabha’s death – planned or a tragic accident?

There are a lot of theories about Dr. Bhabha’s sudden demise. A book called Conversations with the Crow has claimed that the CIA could have had a hand in Dr. Bhabha’s death. The renowned scientist died in a plane crash near Mont Blanc. The co-incidence is that news of his sudden death was out three months after he claimed that India could make an atom bomb in 18 months. Dr. Bhabha was, in fact, on his way to Vienna for a conference when reportedly a bomb went off in the cargo of his Boeing 707.