NEW DELHI: Veteran nuclear scientist and former atomic energy commission chairman, MR Srinivasan passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95.He is a recipient of the prestigious civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan under whose leadership India’s nuclear energy landscape saw the development of 18 nuclear power units.MR Srinivasan began his journey with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in September 1955, alongside Homi Bhabha on the development of Apsara — India’s first nuclear research reactor — which reached criticality in August 1956.Over the years, he held several prominent positions of national significance. In 1974, he became director of the power projects engineering division at the DAE, and in 1984, he took over as chairman of the nuclear power board. In these roles, he led the planning, development, and operation of nuclear power projects across India. In 1987, he was appointed as the chairman of the atomic energy commission and secretary of the department of atomic energy.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the death of MR Srinivasn and said his demise marks a significant loss for India’s scientific community.In a post on X, Kharge condoled the death of the scientist and said, “The demise of Dr MR Srinivasan, a pioneering nuclear scientist and Padma Vibhushan recipient, marks a significant loss for India’s scientific community.”