Homi Bhabha: A Life: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of Homi Bhabha: A Life, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
A gifted son of Bombay
Dadabhoy describes Homi Bhabha's upbringing in a wealthy Parsi family in Bombay.
His family hoped he would become an engineer, but his passion for physics led him in a different direction.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Cambridge made him a physicist
Bhabha studied at Cambridge, where he did important work in theoretical physics.
The author describes his research on electrons and cosmic rays, which earned him international recognition. He worked alongside leading scientists.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Cosmic rays were his research field
Bhabha helped explain how cosmic rays produce showers of particles in the atmosphere.
The author describes this cascade theory and the scattering process now named after him. This work made his name internationally.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
War brought him back to India
When the Second World War began, Bhabha was in India and could not return to Europe.
He joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, where he worked with C. V. Raman.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
He founded TIFR
Bhabha persuaded the Tata family to help found the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1945.
The author describes his vision of building world-class science in India. It became a leading research centre.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
He led India's atomic programme
Bhabha became the head of India's Atomic Energy Commission.
The author describes how he built institutions and trained scientists for nuclear research. He worked closely with Nehru, who trusted his judgment on science and atomic policy.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
He planned three stages
Bhabha designed a three-stage nuclear power programme to use India's large thorium reserves.
The author explains how this plan aimed to make India self-reliant in energy. It still guides policy.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Art and science filled his life
Bhabha loved painting, music and architecture as well as science.
He died in an air crash in 1966, and the author describes him as a visionary whose ideas still shape Indian science.
Get one idea like this every daySwipe through ideas, go deeper on any of them, and save the ones that matter. Free.
Read Homi Bhabha: A Life in the app