Dr. Kalam was named Major General Prithviraj for the nuclear test Pokhran-2.
27 July, 2015. Venue – Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. Famous scientist and former President of the country, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was face to face with the students here as a teacher. He stood on the dais. As soon as he started speaking, he became unwell. He stumbled and almost fell. The match went into chaos in that situation. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His entire life was full of simplicity. He became an example. The country remembers him. Takes his name with pride. Come, on the pretext of his death anniversary, let us know his role in the Pokhran-2 nuclear test, and also why there was a need to give him a pseudonym? What was the whole story of Pokhran-2?
Pokhran-2 was a major scientific and strategic event in the history of India. This test took place in Pokhran, Rajasthan in May 1998. After this, India gave a clear message to the world that it is a country with nuclear capability. In this campaign, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s role was very important. He was not just a scientist. He was one of the key faces of planning, coordination, security and secrecy. During the campaign he got the name of Major General Prithviraj. It is also written in many places that he was named Colonel Prithviraj.
Why did India need testing?
India conducted its first nuclear test in the year 1974. His name was Smiling Buddha. This test was also done in Pokhran, but after this India did not conduct a new test for a long time. There was tension in the world regarding nuclear weapons. Nuclear programs were progressing rapidly in India’s neighbourhood. China was already a nuclear power. Pakistan was also developing nuclear capability. India considered the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to be discriminatory. In this treaty, some countries were recognized to possess nuclear weapons. An attempt was made to ban other countries. India’s argument was that everyone should have equal rights to security. In this environment, India decided to concretely showcase its scientific capability.
The name of the first nuclear test conducted in 1974 was Smiling Buddha.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government and new decision
Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister in March 1998. His government soon started work on the subject of nuclear testing. This decision was made among a very limited number of people. Vajpayee knew that America and other countries could see India’s activities through satellites. Therefore, every step of preparation was kept extremely confidential. Even before, India’s nuclear preparations had come under the radar of foreign surveillance. This time such a mistake was not to be repeated. The Prime Minister entrusted this task to scientists and some selected army officers. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam became the central member of this team.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Dr. Kalam was one of the leading defense scientists of India at that time. He was associated with the Defense Research and Development Organization. He was one of the key faces of India’s missile program. He was also called Missile Man. He had a major contribution in Prithvi, Agni and other missile projects, but his role in Pokhran-2 was not limited to missile science only. He became the coordinator between DRDO and nuclear scientists. He was given the special responsibility of technical preparation, security arrangements, deployment of equipment and final conduct of the test.
The scientific team includes Dr. R. Chidambaram also had a role
Pokhran-2 Dr. A.P.J. Apart from Abdul Kalam, the other great scientist was Dr. Rajagopal Chidambaram. Dr. Chidambaram was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. He was a leading expert in nuclear design and testing science. Scientists of Bhabha Atomic Research Center also played a key role in this work. DRDO and Dr. Kalam had an important role in the deployment of equipment, preparation of the test site, defense-related cooperation and operational coordination. This was not the success of any one person. It was a joint achievement of scientists, engineers, army and political leadership.
To hide his identity, Dr. Kalam was given the name Major General Prithviraj. Photo: PTI
Why was Major General Prithviraj named?
Secrecy was the first condition in Pokhran campaign. It was necessary to hide the identity of the scientists. If they had openly come and went to the test site, foreign agencies could have got suspicious. That’s why scientists wore military uniforms. Many people were given secret names. Dr. Kalam was named Major General Prithviraj. This name was symbolic. Prithviraj reminds us of the brave warrior Prithviraj Chauhan of Indian history. Prithvi was also the name of a missile series of India, with which Dr. Kalam had a deep connection. Changing his identity was not just drama. This was a need for security. The scientists visiting the test site looked like military officers. This helped confuse external surveillance.
covert operation in the desert
The terrain of Pokhran was sandy, hot and difficult. There was intense heat during the day and different conditions at night. Deep underground shafts were prepared for testing. Nuclear equipment was kept in these shafts. Cables were laid. Sensors were installed. Arrangements were made to measure the seismic waves, heat, pressure and other effects coming after the explosion. All this work had to be done in such a way that no unusual activity was clearly visible in the satellite images. Attention was paid to working time, movement of vehicles and even covering of material. The engineering units of the army also played a big role but very few people were aware of the entire plan. Most people knew only their limited work.
Pokhran-2 was named Operation Shakti.
Then what was Operation Shakti?
Pokhran-2 is commonly called Operation Shakti. On May 11, 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear tests. These included a thermo-nuclear device, a fission device and a low-yield device. Two days later, on 13 May, two more low-powered tests were conducted. In this way a total of five tests were conducted. On the evening of 11 May, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee informed the country.
He told that India has conducted successful nuclear tests. This announcement was sudden for the world. Despite foreign intelligence and satellite surveillance, India had kept the preparations hidden, hence this operation was considered a major success of strategic secrecy.
Dr. Kalam’s responsibility at the time of trial
Dr. Kalam was present at the testing site. He was part of the operations team. He was engaged in ensuring that the defense and scientific systems work together properly. Installation of equipment, communication arrangements, safety standards and final coordination were very important. Even a small technical mistake in such a test could have created a big crisis. Kalam’s nature was considered calm and inspiring. He used to boost the morale of the team in difficult situations. He kept the scientists focused on their goals. In the famous photographs taken after the test was successful, Dr. Kalam and Dr. Chidambaram are seen together. That picture became a symbol of India’s scientific partnership.
Statue of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in Andhra Pradesh.
Many countries criticized and some imposed sanctions
After Pokhran-2, America, Japan and some other countries criticized India. Many countries imposed economic and technical sanctions. America also announced sanctions. But India said that this decision was necessary for its national security. India also said that its nuclear policy will be responsible. A few months later, Pakistan also conducted nuclear tests. The strategic situation of South Asia changed. Both India and Pakistan openly emerged as countries with nuclear capabilities.
What did this mean for Dr. Kalam?
Pokhran-2 further strengthened the national identity of Dr. Kalam. He was already a famous scientist. But after this campaign he became the main symbol of India’s strategic power. Later he became the President of India. People also remember him as the people’s president. Pokhran-2 is counted among the most famous achievements of his life.
Pokhran-2 was not just an incident of five blasts. This was the result of India’s scientific preparation, political will, military cooperation and secret strategy. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was one of the main coordinators of this campaign. He did not single-handedly lead the scientific design of India’s nuclear devices. That work was a joint effort of many nuclear scientists and institutions. But Kalam played a very important role in making this entire project successful. This is the reason why his name is always taken with respect in the story of Pokhran-2.
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