Suryakoti Samprabh Drashta Anuyatrik Dr. Anil Kakodkar: A wonderful book in Marathi
At the time of reading the contemporary history of India, I find not only contribution of political leaders but also the contributions of scientists, sport persons, writers, actors; musicians
etc. are the major contributions to make India as modern country. Still there are very few biographies are available about them. In last year, I was looking for biographies of Indian scientists like Vikram Sarabhai, M S Swaminathan, Prashant Mahabololinis, Satish
Dhawan, Dadasaeb Phalke, Homi Bhabha and Anil Kakodkar and found the biographies only in English language and not much but very few in Marathi language. Recently, I got an opportunity to read the biography of Dr. Anil Kakodkar in Marathi written by one of
my friends and classmates Aneeta Patil and the name of the book is, “Suryakoti Samprabh Drashta Anuyatrik Dr. Anil Kakodkar”. It is beautifully written in Marathi and enjoyed very much at the time of reading.
From: Yogesh Gogwekar
Dr. Anil Kakodkar is nuclear physicist and mechanical engineer and also the champion of India's self-reliance on Thorium as a fuel for nuclear energy. It was not easy to write the biography
about such a generous person. Writer Aneeta Patil successfully fulfilled the required gaps and brought satisfactory result. She has covered all aspects of life of Dr. Kakodkar right from his primary education till he becomes secretary of INAE Satish Dhawan
Engineering Eminence in BARC. She made book most interesting to understand the life of great nuclear physicist.
Dr. Anil Kakodkar was born on 11th November 1943 in Barawani village in Madhya Pradesh. His Parents Mr. Purshottam Kakodkar and Mrs. Kamala Kakodkar were Gandhian freedom fighters.
Their marriage was blessed by Mahatma Gandhi and they had their first son named as Anil. Mr. Purshottam Kakodkar devoted his life for India’s freedom and to liberate Goa from Portugal. He did not take much interest to take care of his family. Mrs. Kamala Kakodkar
took all responsibilities of her children by giving them best of the education at great sacrifice. She worked as a clerk in Khadi Bhavan in Mumbai or as a teacher in Montessori school established by her in Khargon, MP to sustain her family. Aneeta Patil wrote
a separate Chapter on her as a valiant mother who has groomed or trained her son to become India’s greatest scientist in the best possible way of patriotism.
Dr. Anil Kakodkar did his primary education in Khargoan in Madhya Pradesh. Later on, he shifted to Mumbai to pursue his higher education. He completed his inter science from Ruparel College,
Mumbai and obtained degree in Mechanical Engineering from VJTI College of Mumbai University in 1963. After completing his engineering, he joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and later on he went to England to get his master degree in experimental stress
analysis from the University of Nottingham in the year 1969.
Throughout his life, Dr. Kakodkar has worked for the development of nuclear energy program. He insisted to have self-reliant development of nuclear reactor system as per Indian requirement.
He developed various systems for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. He played a key role in the development of Dhruva reactor which is India’s largest and unique nuclear reactor from conceptual stage. He has created the Roadmap on usage of vast Thorium resources
so that usage will not be restricted for the electrical production but also for other form of energy usage. Dr. Kakodkar has also involved in India’s Strategic programmed. He was a team member in India’s first successful Nuclear Explosion Experiment in Pokhran
on 18th May 1974 and also played important role experiment of May 1998. There is significant impact of Dr. Kakodkar leadership on development of India’s Atomic Energy Programmed. Even under his leadership, he has deployed the technologies for the
purpose of good life of human beings and also his innovative ideas help to develop human resource development by developing the team of specialized scientist and engineers.
Dr. Anil Kakodkar is member of many boards and institutions and has also been honored by many awards. He has been awarded civilian awards like Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhusan.
He once said that he does not have any regrets in the life and always considered life as journey where success and failure come hand in hand. We should not bother about them but should ensure that the direction in which we are travelling is clear. He also
said that young people should look for worth solving challenges and they should identify the problems in spite to difficulties and resolve the same in best possible way.
Mrs. Aneeta Patil has narrated the journey of Dr. Kakodkar right from humble beginning in Khargaon MP to the highest office of Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India for the
development of Nuclear power under his leadership. She also narrates the information about negotiations on signing of nuclear deal with USA. It states how Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh supported Kakodkar to get rid of sanctions to get nuclear technology
and retain strategic autonomy in the year 2006. This book is not able to provide the detailed information about the disagreement of appointment of Directors for IIT with HRD minister Smruti Irani which led to the resignation of Dr. Kakodkar from Chairperson
of IIT, Mumbai. Otherwise this book is excellent and really enjoyable and written in wonderful Marathi language.
Please do not miss to read this book
Mumbai
03/03/2020
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