Anil Kakodkar is an Indian nuclear physicist, Padma Vibhushan awardee, and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. He has also served as the secretary to the Government of India and Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay.
Wiki/Biography
Anil Kakodkar was born on Thursday, 11 November 1943 (age 80 years; as of 2023), in Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He started his schooling at a Montessori school, which was opened by her mother. He then completed his primary education in Khargaon, Madhya Pradesh. After his primary education, he went to Mumbai for his secondary education. Later, he received a B.Sc degree from D.G. Ruparel College. He was then admitted to Veermanat Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), where he pursued Mechanical Engineering and got his degree in 1963. Later, he went abroad for a one-year master’s course in Experimental Stress Analysis at Nottingham University and received a master’s degree in 1969.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Salt and Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Family
A picture of Nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar’s family. To his left are, his mother Kamalabai Kakodkar, wife Suyasha Kakodkar and sister Sushama Gangal
Parents & Siblings
Anil Kakodkar is the son of Kamala Kakodkar and Purushottam Kakodkar. His father Purushottam Kakodkar and his mother Kamala Kakodkar were both freedom fighters. His father was a member of the Lok Sabha from 1971 to 1977. Also, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1985 to 1991. He also has a sister named Sushama Gangal.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Suyasha Kakodkar.
Signature/Autograph
Anil Kakodkar’s Signature
Career
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Anil Kakodkar joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1964. Later, he served as the Director of BARC from 1996 to 2000. He was involved in the first successful Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Experiment that India conducted on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran. He also played a key role in the series of successful Nuclear Tests conducted in May 1998 at Pokhran.
Atomic Energy Commission
He became the Chairman of, the Atomic Energy Commission and, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy, during the years 2000-2009.
The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of Atomic Energy Anil Kokodkar in 2006
High-Level Safety Review Committee (Railways)
Under the chairmanship of Anil Kakodkar, the Ministry of Railways appointed a High-Level Safety Review Committee to review the safety of the Indian Railways and recommend improvements.
Chairman
Chairman, Solar Energy Corporation in its initial years.
Chairman, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) from 2006 to 2012.
Chairman, Governing Board, Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi.
Chairman, Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay from 2006-2015. Reportedly, he was about to resign due to a difference of opinion between him and the then HRD minister, Smriti Irani.
Chairman, Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission, Government of Maharashtra.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- In 1997, the Rockwell Medal for Excellence in Technology
- In 1997, H. K. Firodia Award for Excellence in Science and Technology
- 1997-98, FICCI Award for outstanding contribution to Nuclear Science and Technology
- In 1998, Hari Om Ashram Prerit Vikram Sarabhai Award
- In 1998, ANACON – Life Time Achievement Award for Nuclear Sciences
- 1999-2000, Indian Science Congress Association’s H. J. Bhabha Memorial Award
- In 2000, Godavari Gaurav Award
- In 2002, Dr. Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award
- In 2002, Chemtech Foundation’s Achiever of the Year Award for Energy
- In 2004, Gujar Mal Modi Innovative Science and Technology Award
- In 2004, the Acharya Varahmihir Award, by the Varahmihir Institute of Scientific Heritage and Research, Ujjain
- In 2007, Ram Mohan Mission’s Ram Mohan Puraskar
- In 2009, the Indian Physics Association’s M.M. Chugani Memorial Award
- In 2010, the Highest civilian award of the Goa state-Gomant Vibhushan Award
- In 2010, Homi Bhabha Lifetime Achievement Award
- In 1998, he was awarded Padma Shri
- In 1999, he was awarded Padma Bhushan
- In 2009, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan
A photograph of Anil Kakodkar receiving Padma Vibhushan in 2009
- In 2015, the Eminent Engineer Award by the Engineering Council of India
- In 2023, The Acharya Kanad Puraskar
- He received a D.Sc degree, from the President of India, on 13 July 2023.
A photograph of Anil Kakodkar receiving a D.Sc degree from the President on 13 July 2023
Facts/Trivia
- Over 250 scientific papers have been published by Anil Kakodkar.
- He was the first student in the Montessori school that his mother opened.
- He was DAE – Homi Bhabha Chair Professor from January 2010 to January 2015.
- INAE Satish Dhawan Chair of Engineering Eminence from January 2015 to January 2017.
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published by Aneeta Patil is a biography of Anil Kakodkar.
‘A Man of Mission’ – Biography of Anil Kakodkar by Aneeta Patil
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‘Fire and Fury’ – Autobiography of Anil Kakodkar
