Raja Ramanna & Lala Lajpat Rai

Raja Ramanna

Born: 28 January 1925

Died: 24 September 2004

He was an Indian physicist who is best known for his role in India’s nuclear program during its early stages.

Having joined the nuclear program in 1964, he worked under Homi Jehangir Bhabha, and later became the director of this program in 1967.

He expanded and supervised scientific research on nuclear weapons and was the first directing officer of the small team of scientists that supervised and carried out the test of the nuclear device, under the codename Smiling Buddha, in 1974.

He was associated with and directed India’s nuclear program for more than four decades, and also initiated industrial defence programmes for the Indian Armed Forces. 

He was a recipient of Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian decoration, in honour of his services to build India’s nuclear programme. Ramanna died in Mumbai in 2004 at the age of 79.

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Lala Lajpat Rai

Born: 28 January 1865

Died: 17 November 1928

He was an Indian freedom fighter.

He played a pivotal role in the Indian Independence movement. 

He was popularly known as Punjab Kesari.

He was one third of the Lal Bal Paltriumvirate.

He was also associated with activities of Punjab National Bank and Lakshmi Insurance Company in their early stages in 1894.

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