Predhiman Kaw: The Father of India’s Nuclear Fusion Program

Amita Das
Department of Physical,
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016, India

Dedicated to Prof P K Kaw

This article offers a glimpse into the remarkable life of Professor Predhiman Kaw, highlighting his scientific contributions and visionary leadership in pioneering India’s nuclear fusion program. His journey through life is truly inspiring, serving as a beacon for present and future generations.

Professor Predhiman Kaw, a world-renowned plasma physicist, played a pioneering role in India’s Nuclear Fusion Program. As the founding Director of the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), he provided visionary leadership that significantly advanced fusion research in the country. Under his guidance, IPR made remarkable strides in plasma physics and fusion technology, ultimately leading to India becoming a full partner in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project—a global initiative to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of nuclear fusion energy for peaceful use.

Born in Srinagar, Professor Kaw’s early life was shaped by historical and political circumstances. His family, recognizing the growing instability for Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, relocated to Delhi soon after partition. In Delhi, he and other children in the family, including his elder brother and cousins, were home-schooled by their father, grandfather, and uncles. Despite never attending formal school, he displayed extraordinary intellect and, at just 10 years old, cleared the board examinations, making him eligible for college. However, age restrictions in Delhi’s colleges prevented his admission, prompting his family to send him to Srinagar for further studies, where he lived with his maternal grandfather.

This period in Srinagar was profoundly meaningful for Professor Kaw. It was here that he first connected with his homeland and the essence of Kashmiriyat—a cultural and spiritual heritage he fondly recalled throughout his life. The region, once a revered center of learning in ancient India, resonated deeply with his intellectual pursuits. His journey, marked by exceptional scholastic achievements, seemed a fitting continuation of Kashmir’s legacy as a beacon of knowledge and wisdom. 

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References

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