New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday mourned the death of renowned nuclear scientist Homi Sethna and described him as the “pillar of India’s nuclear energy programme”.
“It is with great sorrow that I learnt of the sad demise of your father, Dr. Homi Sethna. Dr. Sethna was a brilliant nuclear scientist and an exceptional human being,” the prime minister said in a condolence message to the nuclear scientist’s son Rustam Sethna.

“His contribution to the development and production of nuclear materials and thereby to the country’s efforts to build energy security is immense. He was a pillar of India’s nuclear energy programme in the early years,” Singh said.

The 86-year-old former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman died at his Malabar Hills residence in Mumbai Sunday night. His last rites were performed Tuesday.

The prime minister said that in his long and illustrious career, Sethna had served the government and many other institutions with great distinction.

“He was widely respected and admired and had the ability to inspire young scientists to give their best in the national cause. His life’s work is a saga of dedication, brilliance and patriotic public service,” Singh said.

Recalling his long and fruitful personal association with the scientist, the prime minister said that he “benefitted greatly from his deep knowledge, insight and vision”.

“He has left behind a void that would be very difficult to fill. In this hour of bereavement, please accept my heartfelt condolences. May God give you the strength to bear this irreparable loss. I offer my deepest prayers for peace of the departed soul,” Singh said.