In this episode of Athashri Wisdom Tales, we sit down with Dr. Mohan Phadnis — a distinguished scientist who spent decades at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), served as Joint Director of the Electronics Commission, and worked closely with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on India's missile program.
Dr. Phadnis takes us on a remarkable journey — from joining the Atomic Energy Establishment in 1960 on a salary of ₹250 (turning down a corporate job at Hindustan Lever!), to consulting for DRDO on the Prithvi missile, to his personal memories of Dr. Kalam playing the veena at 5 AM and standing in canteen queues like any other scientist.
In this episode:
- How BARC was founded and Dr. Bhabha's vision for India's nuclear future
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The culture of freedom and scientific equality at BARC
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Working with Dr. Kalam — stories no one else has told
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The secrecy behind India's nuclear weapons program
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Why Dr. Phadnis turned down a transfer to ISRO
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His accidental one-on-one with Vikram Sarabhai on a flight from Italy
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The critical flaw he identified in the Prithvi missile — and how he fixed it
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Why India's scientific culture needs a work ethics charter
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Life at Athashri and his current mission to protect the GMRT radio telescope
A conversation full of wisdom, wit, and extraordinary untold stories from someone who was at the heart of India's scientific renaissance.
Chapters:
00:00 From Physics to Electronics
02:23 Joining Atomic Energy
03:24 Origins of Electronics
04:45 Swadharma and Service
06:40 Recruitment via TIFR
07:46 Nuclear Spectroscopy Basics
09:13 Why BARC Was Founded
11:52 Freedom Culture at BARC
13:07 Work Ethos and Hierarchy
16:17 Sarabhai Encounters
20:11 A Scientist Daily Life
21:38 Secrecy and Sacrifice
23:52 Weapon Program Protocols
27:18 Indira Gandhi Visits
29:15 Committees and Quitting
32:03 Working with Dr Kalam
33:24 Leaving BARC Consulting DRDO
34:36 Meeting Kalam and Prithvi Fix
36:32 Guest House Veena Mornings
38:45 Kalam Leadership and Canteen
42:48 Offered Presidency Consults Team
44:59 Prithvi Component Testing System
46:17 India Defense Outlook Ahead
47:02 Advice to Young Scientists
50:44 Education Ethics and Credit
57:02 Staying Scientific After Retirement
57:48 Choosing Senior Living Athashri
01:00:48 Learning Mindset and GMRT Mission
01:02:39 Railway Line vs Telescope Solution
01:05:10 Closing Thanks and Next Topics
🎙️ Athashri Wisdom Tales is a podcast by Paranjape Schemes, celebrating the extraordinary lives of residents at Athashri— India's premier senior living community