Prime Minister has expressed deep sorrow on the passing away of Dr. Raja Ramanna, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

Conveying his condolences to the bereaved family, the Prime Minister said that India had lost one of its most outstanding nuclear scientists. Dr. Ramanna's contribution to the development of India's nuclear capabilities as well as in the consolidation of India's nuclear power programme will be remembered for a long time to come.

Dr. Ramanna was associated with India's nuclear programme at a critical stage of its development and contributed to placing the country's indigenous nuclear capabilities on a firm footing. India's first peaceful nuclear explosion was conducted in 1974 during Dr. Ramanna's tenure as Director of BARC.

Dr. Ramanna made his mark as a distinguished Member of the Rajya Sabha. He served as Minister of State for Defence in the Union Cabinet and was a member of the first National Security Advisory Board.

Dr. Ramanna was also an accomplished planist and a man of letters. His loss would be deeply felt by the scientific community worldwide and the people of India.