Mr. Manohar Gopal Bhide

Manohar Gopal Bhide or “Dada” as he was known to his family, was born in Pune, Maharashtra, India on November 9, 1935. He had an immense influence in the academic sphere as one of the preeminent nuclear physicists of our time. In 1958, he was an Indian Representative for Atoms for Peace at the second UN Peace Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in Geneva. In 1964, he served on the Indian Delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seminar on Physics of Fast & Intermediate Reactors in Vienna. In 1974, he was part of the team of the first Indian nuclear explosion named “Smiling Buddha”. He was especially proud of it being officially designated as a “peaceful nuclear explosion.” It was the first confirmed nuclear weapons test by a nation outside the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. After retiring in 1994, he continued to lecture at many prominent universities in India and US.
He spread his love of science to the younger generation with his philanthropic work in Madhya Mumbai Marathi Vidnyan Sangh by volunteering and teaching. Beyond his scientific interests, he was very engaged in nature and photography and was an active member of the Sierra Club. He is survived by his wife, Meena Bhide, his three children Unmesh, his wife Amita, Amit, his wife, Swarda, and Sonia, and his grandchildren Alka, Amol, and Aariv. He will forever be remembered with love for his enduring legacy.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Parks Foundation, Alzheimers’ Association, or Parkinson’s Foundation.