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Homi J Bhabha a Life

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Homi J. A Life is the first full-fledged biography of the theoretical physicist who founded India’s nuclear programme. A Renaissance man, Bhabha was also a lover of music and an accomplished painter. A scientist and aesthete who was equally at home in the world of science and the arts, he was both a visionary and a doer—a man of thought as well as a man of action. A great deal is known of his astonishing intellect, but less about his human side. This biography combines both aspects of him, presenting a more complete picture of the man.Bhabha’s life story also provides a good vehicle for telling the story of Indian science and the foundations of India’s atomic energy programme. This biography is as much an early history of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, and India’s atomic energy programme as it is an account of Bhabha’s life and work.Meticulously researched and narrated in rich, human, political and scientific detail, this biography tells the story of one of twentieth-century India’s greatest scientists and the country’s greatest-ever science administrator.

775 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

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Bakhtiar K. Dadabhoy

12 books10 followers

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Harsh Agrawal.
242 reviews18 followers
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May 15, 2023
Homi J Bhabha: A Life
Author: Bakhtiar K. Dadabhoy
Biography
Rupa Publications
723 Pages
MRP: Rs. 995/-

Thank you @rupapublications for a media copy of the book

Homi J. Bhabha: A Life, written by Bakhtiar K. Dadabhoy, is a captivating and informative biography that provides a comprehensive look into the life of Homi J. Bhabha. Bhabha was an accomplished physicist and the founder of India's nuclear program. However, he was also a lover of music, an accomplished painter, and an aesthete, making him a true renaissance man.

Dadabhoy does an excellent job of painting a complete picture of Bhabha, not just as a brilliant scientist, but also as a complex human being. The biography delves into Bhabha's personal life, his relationships, and his interests outside of science. Through the use of personal letters and interviews with family members and colleagues, the reader gains insight into Bhabha's character and personality.

While the book is meant for a general audience, the science mentioned from time to time may go over the head of readers without a scientific background. As someone who studied engineering, I found that some of the technical jargon used in the book was difficult to understand. Nonetheless, Dadabhoy does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in a way that is accessible to the layperson

Moreover, the book also provides a detailed account of the foundations of India's atomic energy program, as well as the early history of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai. The author meticulously researched these topics and presents them in a way that is accessible to both experts in the field and the general reader.

One of the highlights of this book is the author's writing style. Dadabhoy writes with clarity and precision, making complex scientific concepts understandable to the layperson. He also weaves together personal stories, scientific discoveries, and historical events in a way that keeps the reader engaged throughout the entire book.

Overall, Homi J. Bhabha: A Life is a well-written and insightful biography that sheds light on the life of one of India's greatest scientists. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of science and India's atomic energy program, as well as those who want to learn more about the personal life of this remarkable individual.
Profile Image for Suyogaya Awasthy .
341 reviews5 followers
May 17, 2023
My success will not depend on what A or B thinks of me. My success will be what I make of my work."

• Furthermore, the 776-page-long book showcases Dadabhoy's meticulous research throughout. He skilfully weaves together a rich background of Bhabha's personal life, scientific endeavours, and socio-political contributions. The author presents a balanced narrative that not only chronicles Bhabha's scientific achievements but also delves into his upbringing, education, and the intellectual and cultural milieu that shaped his worldview. What sets this biography apart is Dadabhoy's ability to bring Homi J Bhabha to life as a multidimensional individual. Through extensive interviews, archival materials, and personal anecdotes, the author offers readers a glimpse into Bhabha's personality, passions, and the complexities of his character. This humanizing approach allows readers to connect with Bhabha on a deeper level, beyond his scientific brilliance, and appreciate the man behind the legend.

• The book excels in providing a comprehensive understanding of Bhabha's scientific contributions, particularly in the field of nuclear physics and his pioneering role in establishing India's nuclear program. Dadabhoy skilfully explains complex scientific concepts in a way that is accessible to both experts and non-experts, making this biography engaging for a wide range of readers. Additionally, the author successfully contextualizes Bhabha's life within the socio-political landscape of India, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities he faced as a scientist in a newly independent nation. Dadabhoy explores Bhabha's vision for scientific research and development in India, his efforts to promote international collaborations, and his impact on shaping India's scientific institutions. While the book admirably portrays Bhabha's personal and professional journey, there are moments when the narrative could benefit from a more critical lens. A deeper exploration of some of the controversies and criticisms surrounding Bhabha's work would provide a more nuanced perspective on his legacy. In conclusion, "Homi J Bhabha: A Life" is a meticulously researched and insightful biography that unveils the extraordinary life and contributions of an intellectual giant. The author's ability to humanize Bhabha and present his story with depth and clarity is commendable.

• Thus, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of science, the socio-political landscape of India, or simply seeking inspiration from the life of a visionary. It is a fitting tribute to the remarkable legacy of Homi J Bhabha and his lasting impact on the scientific community in India and beyond.
Profile Image for Debabrata Mishra.
1,690 reviews48 followers
May 23, 2023
𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊

•• TITLE : Homi J.Bhabha

•• AUTHOR : Bakhtiar K.Dadabhoy

•• PUBLISHER : Rupa Publication

•• FORMAT : Hardcover

•• LANGUAGE : English

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒

Homi J Bhaba is a name which doesn't require any sort of recognition.He is the father of India's nuclear Mission.

..

He is not only a scientist but an artist too who had,, an enormous interest in music & painting.

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This book is divided into 4 parts.

Part 1(Scientist as researcher)

This part talks about his early days & journey towards science. It is about a scientist in pupa, his days in Cambridge. The author throws light on the quantum revolution & his love romance with Physics. Moving forward, there is a point when he is towards his cosmic ray research. After that, his return to India & a new journey began in Bengaluru.

..

Part 2 (An Institution-Builder)

It starts with a dream, a wish & an idea. Moving forward, The Atomic Imperative, then the early birds. The author nicely discussed foreign hands, international recognition, distinguished visitors. Proceeding forward, the book talks about studying extraterrestrials, building a school of mathematics, then computers & electronics. Then it talks about science, art & culture.

..

Part 3 (Scientist as Administrator) & the last part is CODA.

..

To know more about his glorifying life grab it & try it.

✓ The cover of the book is simple yet quite justified to the plotline.

✓ The author nicely compiles all the aspects of his life with a detailed elaboration that keeps you hooked up till the last page.

✓ The language used in this book is quite fascinating. It's good, easily understandable & quite relatable with the storyline.

✓ All the supporting characters in this book are developed in great depth & give insights into each of them.

✓ The detailed narration along with crisp points & lucid narration makes this book more classy to read.

✓ The ample amount of research the author did before writing the book can be easily marked in the book.

✓ It is quite a fast-paced book which is informative too, which makes it a unique kind of book that keeps you hooked up till the last page.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Kidliomag .
1,440 reviews60 followers
May 11, 2023
Homi Jehangir Bhabha, popularly known as the father of India’s nuclear program, was born into a rich and influential family, he went to the University of Cambridge in 1927 to study mechanical engineering, but there he developed a strong interest in physics. Homi J Bhabha tried to make India a science country in that era when we were called an underdeveloped nation and he established research institutions and the electronics industry in India with the help of J.R.D. Tata. Bhabha’s contribution to the development of atomic energy made him a significant figure in international scientific circles.
The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on a specific period in Bhabha's life. Written in a candid manner, you can now go through each tiny detail of the life of Homi J Bhabha, whose death took the nation by storm. This biography combines both aspects of him, presenting a more complete picture of the man.
I watched the whole series that is based on his life, but this book has all the possible information that you ever wanted to know about him or other greatest scientist in our country.
A well- researched, well-written and ..a great UNPUTDOWNABLE Book!
Profile Image for Sonali Sharma.
Author 2 books19 followers
June 10, 2023
I remember my School days, back in 7th grade, where we were called out for morning assembly and introduced to Dr. Homi Bhabha exam. I was curious to know his personality and life!

Later, we had a few incidents of him in our Science and English textbooks. I wasn't much of a science freak, but knowing about the lives of renowned personalities always excited me.

This book, I would say isn't just for people who are interested in science. It talks about the life, the incidents and experiences if Dr. Homi Bhabha closely.

Yes it's quite long and you would request patience to read it. But? What's the catch? It didn't turned out to be monotonous depsite itself thickness!

Well researched and articulated facts of the book makes it more interesting to read. I came to know so many different incidents and experiences of his life, which were then unknown to me in school, when taught in syllabus.

Some places I found the content was exaggerated and talked much only about his labs he worked and the experiments done.

Simple language makes the reader stick to the book. If you are into science and keen to learn about different personalities, this one is for you 👏
Profile Image for Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ).
2,244 reviews81 followers
December 31, 2023
The book "Homi J. Bhabha: A Life" was written by Bakhtiar K. Dadabhoy, an acclaimed author of eight works, including "Jeh: A Life of JRD Tata," "Sugar in Milk: Lives of Eminent Parsis," and "Barons of Banking: Glimpses of Indian Banking History." Bhabha, who came from a renowned Parsi family, was a multifaceted individual interested in the sciences and the arts. He was a scholar, aesthete, music lover, and accomplished painter.
Bhabha made significant contributions to nuclear physics, including work on cosmic radiation theory, nuclear reaction research, and the creation the Bhabha scattering theory. He also established India's first atomic energy plant and was instrumental in the country's nuclear energy program. Bhabha was also a strong supporter of the arts and was involved in founding Mumbai's National Centre for the Performing Arts. He believed science and technology were crucial for India's growth and advocated for creating study institutions and universities.
Unfortunately, Bhabha died in 1966 at 56 in the Air India Flight 101 accident. Still, his legacy continues to impact nuclear physics in India, and he is considered one of the country's most significant experts.
The biographical TV series "Rocket Boys" on SonyLIV focuses on the lives of Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, two remarkable men who played a crucial role in India's scientific growth from the 1940s to the 1960s. Created by Nikkhil Advani and directed by Abhay Pannu, the show portrays the inspiring story of India's journey towards becoming a strong, independent nation. It showcases the lives of three great men responsible for launching India's space and nuclear programs: Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the architect of India's Nuclear Programme, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, known as the father of the Indian Space Program, and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man of India.
Thus, this is the first detailed biography of Homi J. Bhabha, who established India's nuclear program and is recommended for science book fans and young readers.
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