The Hindu : National : C.V. Sundaram is dead

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C.V. Sundaram is dead

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: C.V. Sundaram, former Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, died here on Friday after a brief illness. He was 78.

A distinguished metallurgist, Mr. Sundaram was born at Ottappalam in Kerala. Having had his early training in chemistry and metallurgy, he started research work in chemical metallurgy under the supervision of Professor Brahma Prakash at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, in 1952. Joining the Department of Atomic Energy in 1956, Mr. Sundaram was a major architect in ushering in an era of production of rare, reactive and refractory metals utilising indigenous resources and expertise.

In 1982, Mr. Sundaram was invited to assume leadership of the Fast Breeder Reactor Programme of India as the Director of IGCAR at a crucial stage when construction of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) was nearing completion. He was also closely associated with the development of the prototype Fast Breeder Reactor now under construction at Kalpakkam.

A recipient of prestigious awards, including the National Metallurgists Day award (1970), the Platinum Jubilee Alumnus award of the IISc. (1985), the Life Time Achievement award from the Ministry of Steel and Mines (2006), he was also an elected fellow of the Indian National Science Academy among others.

In recognition of his outstanding scientific and technological achievements, Mr. Sundaram was honoured with the Sanjay Gandhi award for Science and Technology in the field of energy (1985) and the Padma Bhushan in 1986.

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