Bhubaneswar, 30 October (H.S.): A memorial lecture commemorating the 117th birth anniversary of Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the architect of India’s nuclear programme, was organised at Utkal University on Friday. The programme was jointly organised by the Odisha branch of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT, RC-16) and the university’s Postgraduate Council.

Speaking as the keynote speaker, eminent cosmologist and former Utkal University professor Dr Lambodar Prasad Singh Tulsi highlighted Bhabha’s exceptional scientific contributions, including his research on muons, cosmic-ray cascades and Bhabha scattering. He described Bhabha as a visionary who laid the foundation for a self-reliant India through institutions such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). He also recalled Bhabha’s contributions to India’s nuclear, space and electronics programmes and his advocacy of the peaceful use of atomic energy.

Presiding over the event, Professor Bedang Mahanti, Director of the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, and former joint spokesperson of CERN, described Bhabha as a pioneering international advocate of peaceful nuclear applications. He said nuclear technology was contributing significantly to electricity generation, healthcare, cancer diagnosis and treatment, food preservation and national security. He also expressed hope that the cyclotron at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Odisha, would soon be dedicated to public service.

The programme was held under the patronage of Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Chandi Prasad Nanda. Professor Yajneswar Dandapat, Chairperson of the Postgraduate Council, delivered the welcome address. Dr Sanjay Kumar Suar introduced the guests, while Professor Prasanna Kumar Patra, Director of the university’s Research and Development Cell, proposed the vote of thanks. Professor Rita Paikaray, president of IAPT, RC-16, provided guidance for the programme, which was coordinated by Professor Srirup Goswami and Dr Gaurishankar Sahu.

A large number of academicians, researchers and students attended the lecture.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda