From BARC to Missiles: Dr. Mohan Phadnis on Kalam, India's Nuclear Journey & Life as a Scientist |

In this episode of Athashree Wisdom Tales, we sit down with Dr. Mohan Phadnis — a distinguished scientist who spent decades at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), served as Joint Director of the Electronics Commission, and worked closely with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on India's missile program. Dr. Phadnis takes us on a remarkable journey — from joining the Atomic Energy Establishment in 1960 on a salary of ₹250 (turning down a corporate job at Hindustan Lever!), to consulting for DRDO on the Prithvi missile, to his personal memories of Dr. Kalam playing the veena at 5 AM and standing in canteen queues like any other scientist. In this episode: How BARC was founded and Dr. Bhabha's vision for India's nuclear future The culture of freedom and scientific equality at BARC Working with Dr. Kalam — stories no one else has told The secrecy behind India's nuclear weapons program Why Dr. Phadnis turned down a transfer to ISRO His accidental one-on-one with Vikram Sarabhai on a flight from Italy The critical flaw he identified in the Prithvi missile — and how he fixed it Why India's scientific culture needs a work ethics charter Life at Athashri and his current mission to protect the GMRT radio telescope A conversation full of wisdom, wit, and extraordinary untold stories from someone who was at the heart of India's scientific renaissance. 00:00 From Physics to Electronics 02:23 Joining Atomic Energy 03:24 Origins of Electronics 04:45 Swadharma and Service 06:40 Recruitment via TIFR 07:46 Nuclear Spectroscopy Basics 09:13 Why BARC Was Founded 11:52 Freedom Culture at BARC 13:07 Work Ethos and Hierarchy 16:17 Sarabhai Encounters 20:11 A Scientist Daily Life 21:38 Secrecy and Sacrifice 23:52 Weapon Program Protocols 27:18 Indira Gandhi Visits 29:15 Committees and Quitting 32:03 Working with Dr Kalam 33:24 Leaving BARC Consulting DRDO 34:36 Meeting Kalam and Prithvi Fix 36:32 Guest House Veena Mornings 38:45 Kalam Leadership and Canteen 42:48 Offered Presidency Consults Team 44:59 Prithvi Component Testing System 46:17 India Defense Outlook Ahead 47:02 Advice to Young Scientists 50:44 Education Ethics and Credit 57:02 Staying Scientific After Retirement 57:48 Choosing Senior Living Athashri 01:00:48 Learning Mindset and GMRT Mission 01:02:39 Railway Line vs Telescope Solution 01:05:10 Closing Thanks and Next Topics