Dr.Homi Jehnagir Bhabha was a famous Indian atomic scientist. With the support of Jawaharlal Nehru In Independent India, Homi Jehnagir Bhabha laid the foundation of a scientific establishment and was responsible for the creation of two premier institutions, `Tata Institute of Fundamental Research` and `Bhabha Atomic Research Centre`. He also received blessings from Jawaharlal Nehru for peaceful development of atomic energy. This proves his skills as an administrator. Dr.Bhabha had a highly distinguished career and was an exceptionally bright student. Even as a student, he made some fundamental discoveries in electricity, magnetism, quantum theory and the cosmic rays.

Dr.H.J.Bhaba, an Indian nuclear physicist of Parsi-Zoroastrian heritage was born on 30th October 1909 in Bombay. His father Jahangir Bhabha was an ex-Oxford University student and a reputed advocate who served the Tata Enterprises. Dr. Bhabha`s mother Meheran belonged to the petit family. His grandfather served as an officer in the Education Department of Mysore State. Bhabha was a bachelor. When once asked about his marriage, he said: "I am married to creativity." In the death of Dr. Bhabha India lost an eminent scientist and one of her great sons. Bhabha was going to attend an international conference. The Air India Boeing 707 `Kanchenjunga` in which Bhabha was traveling crashed in a snowstorm on January 24, 1966 at Mount Blanc. Bhabha thus met with a tragic end. He died comparatively young and at the height of his fame.

Bhabha with his super active brain and rapid flow of thoughts at the age of fifteen became able to read Einstein`s book on Relativity. Bhabha was educated at the Cathedral and John Cannon High School. At the age of 15, Bhabha passed the Senior Cambridge Examination. Later he entered Elphinstone College and the Royal Institute of Science, Bombay. He continued his studies here for two years. Bhabha loved Physics. Mathematics was also his favorite subject. But to respect his father`s wish he left India for Cambridge to study Engineering. Bhabha passed the Mechanical Engineering Tripos in the first class in 1930. He then pursued his studies in Theoretical Physics as a Research Scholar.

In 1932, Dr.Bhabha was awarded the Rouse Ball Traveling Studentship for two years. He worked with W. Pouli in Zurich and Enrico Fermi in Rome. During this period he was awarded the Isaac Newton Fellowship in 1934 and the1851-Exhibition Studentship in 1936. Bhabha was fortunate to come into close contact with famous scientists like Rutherford, Dirac, Niels Bohr and Heitler. Paul Dirac greatly influenced Bhabha during his study of Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge, to pursue an education in theoretical physics.This association greatly influenced his research and way of life.

Dr Bhabha enriched the world of Physics with his unique contribution `Bhabha-Heitler Cascade Theory`. With Heitler Bhabha presented the `Cascade Theory of Electron Showers`, in 1937. This theory explains the process of electron showers in cosmic rays. This research brought fame to Bhabha. Cosmic rays are primary rays, which are fast moving and sub-microscopic particles. They comprise protons, electrons and gamma rays. When some of them happen to approach the earth and enter its atmosphere, they collide with atoms in the air. They then breed new nuclear particles. Bhabha`s new theory explains clearly the processes and effects of the mutual reaction. It throws light on one of the most puzzling mysteries of cosmic rays.

Bhabha recognized heavy electron particles in cosmic rays and called them `Meson`. Bhabha`s mastery of mathematics can be seen in the `Classical Theory of Spinning Particles`. The importance of his work received wide recognition. Bhabha`s original contributions to Physics lie in the fields of cosmic radiation, theory of elementary particles and quantum theory.

Bhabha was not a mere bookworm. He had secured many scholarships. During his stay in England and Europe, painting became his hobby, which reflects his inborn taste and a creative urge for art. He visited many art galleries, museums, palaces and gardens. He never missed a good musical concert. Many of his paintings now grace the walls of art galleries in England. Bhabha`s love for classical music, dance and sculpture was also deep. This keen interest made him worship art throughout his life. Devotion to art and the study of science went hand in hand in Bhabha`s life.

Bhabha returned to India for a holiday in 1939 during the time of the Second World War. Bhabha did not return to England and this was indeed fortunate for India. Bhabha decided to devote his life to the service of his motherland.

In 1940 Bhabha joined the Indian Institute of Science as Reader in Theoretical Physics. He ushered the responsibility of building a new department to undertake research on cosmic rays. In 1941 he was elected a member of the Royal Society when he was only 31. Before him nobody have been so honored at such a young age by the Royal Society. Bhabha became a Professor in the Institute in 1942. The University of Cambridge also awarded the `Adams Prize` to him.

Dr. Bhabha was asked to deliver a lecture in a program presided by Nobel laureate C. V. Raman over the program when he came to Bangalore. The subject of the lecture was related to modern physics. The audience who heard the lecture was amazed at his scholarship. In his speech as the Chairman, Raman said: "The lecture was a treat for three persons - the lecturer, the Chairman and one other noted mathematician present here."

Bhabha was invited to join the staff of Oxford University. But he did not accept the invitation as his desire to build an excellent institution of research in India. The young Bhabha dreamt of the `great adventure` of building a modern India. In the salubrious climate of Bangalore he studied the background of the great culture of India. Analyzing the socio- economic problems of the country he was quite convinced that science was the only means for the progress of India. In those days the equipment and facilities needed for research in Atomic Physics were not available in India. Bhabha wrote a letter to the Dorabji Tata Trust on March 13, 1944. He wrote: `When nuclear energy has been success- fully applied to power production in, say, a couple of decades from now, India will not have to look abroad for its experts, but will find them ready at hand.`

Bhabha`s plan was a rudimentary stage from which a school of physics was born. His letter clearly illustrates his far-sightedness and patriotism as it was written almost a year before the atom bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Tata Trust founded the - `Tata Institute of Fundamental Research` in 1945. The Bombay government and the Government of India gave financial support to the Institute. Dr. Bhabha was appointed its first Director, and he took the responsibility of shaping the Institute. India thus took the first step on the journey of nuclear science. J. R. D. Tata and Jawaharlal Nehru gave support and encouragement to Dr.Bhabha in his work. Pandit Nehru very much appreciated the efficiency, farsightedness and patriotism of Dr.Bhabha. One of Bhabha`s achievements was that he persuaded the Government to take greater interest in technology.

He established the Atomic Energy Commission of India in 1948. It was largely due to his efforts that the nation`s first Atomic research Center, now named Bhabha Atomic research Center, was established at Trombay, near Mumbai. He represented India in International Atomic Energy Forums, and as President of the United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, in Geneva in 1955. The conference was another step in international cooperation. Bhabha was the first to advocate, from international forums, the peaceful uses of atomic energy. The consumption of energy in the world is on the increase. Naturally available resources of energy like coal and oil are on the decrease. Added to this, there is shortage of hydel energy in certain places. Realizing this, Bhabha declared that atomic energy is the only foundation for the progress of industries in India. He suggested that producing electricity could affect economy by nuclear methods.

The construction of India`s first atomic power plant began at Tarapur Maharashtra in 1963. Two years later a plutonium plant was installed. On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear explosion for peaceful purposes, at Pokran in, Rajasthan and joined the galaxy of nations with atomic energy. India`s explosion of a nuclear device is a great milestone in the path of technological progress. This achievement was based entirely on Indian effort. It thus became the world`s sixth nuclear power. The other five countries with the nuclear know-how are America, Russia, Britain, France and China.

Laurels came to Bhabha from all corners of the world throughout his lifetime. A recipient of many honors was awarded honorary doctorates by several Indian and foreign universities. Among these universities are London, Cambridge, Padova, Perth, Banaras, Agra, Patna, Lucknow, Allahabad, Andhra and Aligarh. In 1948 he received the Hopkins Prize of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. He was elected the President of the Indian Science Congress in 1951. In 1954 the President of India gave him the `Padma Bhushan` award for his outstanding contribution to nuclear science. He was an honorary fellow of many earned institutions.

In 1963 Dr. Bhabha was elected as the President of the National Institute of Sciences of India. Bhabha was a member of many scientific advisory committees of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also served as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to advise the Government of India.

The architect of Nuclear Science in Modern India Dr. Bhabha showed to the world that Indian scientists could reach great heights. As a practical person he believed in planning and in executing the plans. His far sightedness, powers of organization, and the encouragement and guidance young scientists received from him these built up an invaluable asset for scientific work in India. He was a painter and worshipped the beauty of Nature. Science and art both enriched his mind and life. He was the ideal personality India needs today. As a tribute to Dr. Bhabha, the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay, was renamed as the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, on January 12, 1967.