Kolkata: Dr. Sekhar Basu, a veteran atomic scientist and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, died to COVID-19 early on Thursday. The 68-year-old scientist was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata was undergoing coronavirus treatment.
Pained to share the sad news of the demise of Dr Shekhar Basu, former Chairman Atomic Energy Commission &Secretary,who was suffering from COVID with Comorbidity and was admitted in a Kolkata Hospital.Dr Basu & I had worked closely together during the first term of Modi Govt.🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/wdIxvkMAET
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) September 24, 2020
According to official statement, “Dr Basu was suffering from COVID-19 and other kidney ailments. He died at 4.50 am.
Former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Basu was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2014. Late scientist Dr. Basu was a mechanical engineer, made significant contributions in the field of nuclear energy for the country. Dr. Shekhar Basu built India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the INS Arihant, which was extremely difficult to build due to its complex nature.
Showing condolences, DoNER minister Jitendra Singh tweeted saying, “Pained to share the sad news of the demise of Dr Shekhar Basu, former Chairman Atomic Energy Commission &Secretary, who was suffering from COVID with Comorbidity and was admitted in a Kolkata hospital. Dr Basu & I had worked closely together during the first term of Modi Govt.”