The Indian science fraternity on Friday reacted with shock and sadness to the news of passing away of Dr Raja Ramanna, a major force behind India's nuclear programme.

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Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Anil Kakodkar said: "It is a great shock for all of us as he was always a father figure to the entire department. I feel so helpless sitting here although I had been following his condition since yesterday afternoon. When the end came last night, it was a blow to me personally," he told PTI from Vienna.

Ramanna was responsible for initiating several programmes of the department from R&D to reactor building, he said.

"Personally, he played a great role in shaping me and I owe him a lot," Kakodkar said.
 
Describing Ramanna as a practical nuclear scientist who put India on the world map in the field of nuclear science, former chairman of AEC, Dr P K Iyengar, said he recognised the importance of fundamental science and its influence on the society.

Ramanna was an excellent organiser and brought out the best talents of the people working for him, Iyengar, who was very close to him professionally, said.

Iyengar said Ramanna's words were always respected at the International Atomic Energy Commission and he was a pioneer in formulating Bhabha Atomic Research Centre's training school programme -- a unique and successful venture for human resource development for the Department of Atomic Energy.                                                                                         

Ramanna also founded the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Bangalore to nurture and sponsor young talent, Iyengar said.

Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Dr R Chidambaram said Ramanna's demise is a great loss for the country.

He was one of the founding fathers of nuclear physics in the country and was an outstanding scientific leader, Chidambaram told PTI from Dehradun.

"So many of us owe him a lot as he recognised the talents of his colleagues and brought the country to a stature to have a say at the international nuclear forum," he said.

Ramanna was one of the early associates of the founder of India's nuclear programme, Dr Homi Bhabha.