Department of Atomic Energy Celebrates the Birth Centenary of Dr. Homi N. Sethna
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and its constituent units have joined hands to celebrate the birth centenary of one of India’s atomic energy pioneers, Dr. Homi N. Sethna.
Dr. Homi N. Sethna (1923-2010), played multiple roles during his illustrious career. Starting as a General Manager of Indian Rare Earths in 1949, he led the Chemical Engineering programmes in the Atomic Energy Establishment Trombay (now BARC) as well as the concerned public sector units in DAE. He oversaw the building of major facilities in Trombay, including Thorium Plant and Uranium Metal Plant during the period 1950-1960.
Dr. Homi N. Sethna initiated and led the nuclear fuel cycle and heavy water segment of India’s atomic energy programme with great success.
In the context of building nuclear fuel cycle in India, Dr. Sethna was a pioneer. This domain, a good part of which is sensitive nuclear technology and governed by strict technology regimes, has been totally home grown. Dr. Sethna displayed exceptional capabilities in building India’s maiden Reprocessing Plant in Trombay, which was dedicated to the nation in 1965.
Dr. Sethna demonstrated unmatched determination and courage when the fuel supply to Tarapur nuclear power units was threatened following India’s successful Peaceful Nuclear Experiment in 1974. He pursued legal/diplomatic battle on fuel supplier’s obligation on one hand and demonstrated a technology alternative to run the units on Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel derived from the available inventory of the spent fuel on the other.
Dr. Sethna took over the leadership of BARC after the demise of Dr. Homi Bhabha in 1966 and was the Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) during 1972-1983. India’s nuclear power programme consolidated its self-reliance in the wake of the embargos following 1974 under his leadership.
Dr. Sethna, like many of his peers in the department, made real the vision of Dr. Homi Bhabha, to bring India to be one of the presently advanced nuclear nations.
The DAE organized a one-day program in Anushaktinagar, Mumbai on December 07, 2023 to mark the birth centenary of Dr. Homi N. Sethna. Former Chairmen of AEC, Dr. R. Chidambaram, and Dr. Anil Kakodkar, attended the program as the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour, respectively. The event comprised technical talks by experts and reminiscences from eminent persons from the Department of Atomic Energy, followed by a cultural programme.