Homi Jahangir baba was the first chairman of Indian Atomic energy Commission. He was a person who excelled not in science but other ares also. Dr. C V Raman called him “ The Modern image of Leanardo Davincii”.
He was born in a rich family. His father’s ambition was to make him an industrialist or an engineer. He was sent for higher education to England. After an year baba wrote “An engineer’s job or work is not suitable for me. My subject of interest is physics. I feel I can excel in it. A person will learn quixkly and excel only in a field of his interest. I feel I can do many things in physics”. His father agreed. He said if baba gets high score in engineering, he will allow him to stay in England for 2 more years. He will take care of his expenses. Baba passed exam with high first class.
A vast landscape was selected for location of Baba atomic research Center (BARC) in trombay. There is a story related to that. There was a tree in that land where proposed building was going to be constructed. Engineers told the tree should be cut. This tree had been there since years. Baba did not allowed. He said “The tree had been there for so many years and it has the right to stay there for many more years. Everybody speaks of human rights. But I want to speak on the eco balance and right of protecting species”. This tree is still standing out there.
Baba was a very good music loving person. He used to attend most of the concerts happening in the city. Bethovan was his favourite. He had a good collection of Indian and western music.
When he was child he used to sleep only a little time. His parents decided to show him a European doctor. But doctor could not find any disease in him. He said Baba is a high thinking child may be that could be the reason of his sleeplessness.
Baba was also good in drawing. He had a collection of pictures drawn by many great artists. He loved his mother very much. On her birthday he presented a drawing “Cow and its Calf”. When he grown up his interest shifted to nature were reflected in his drawings. Once Baba’s drawings were displayed in an exhibition conducted at England. He lived a bachelor’s life.