Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1928-02-21)21 February 1928 Vijayawada,Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Died | 29 April 2013(2013-04-29) (aged 85) |
| Occupation(s) | Chemical engineer, bureaucrat,Industrialist |
| Known for | Atomic energy |
| Spouse | Pendyala Ananthalakshmi |
| Children | Four sons |
| Parent(s) | Nutakki Ramaseshaiah Punnamma |
| Awards | Padma Shri Petrotech Lifetime Achievement Award |
Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad (1928-2013) was an Indian chemical engineer, bureaucrat and a former chairman of theOil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC).[1][2] He is credited with the design of the first Magnesium Plant in India in 1994[1] and was involved with the commissioning of Apsara research reactor,[3][4] the first Indian atomic reactor.[5] TheGovernment of India honoured him in 1960, with the award ofPadma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his services to the nation.[6]
Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad was born on 21 February 1928 in aTelugu-speaking family atVijayawada,Andhra Pradesh to Punnamma andNutakki Ramaseshaiah, a former Member of Parliament and Minister of Health at theGovernment of Odisha.[1] He did his early education atParvatipuram andVisakhapatanam and obtained his graduate degree in mechanical engineering with honours fromMadras University in 1947.[5] Moving toPurdue University, he obtained a master's degree (MS) in chemical engineering.[7] This was followed by advanced research atCase Institute of Technology (1953) and returned to India the same year to join Aluminium Company of Canada, Montreal at its Kolkata subsidiary to work for a year.[1]
In 1954, he joined theDepartment of Atomic Energy as the Head of Reactor Group and worked there till 1961.[8] During this period, he also served as the project manager ofCIRUS reactor from 1958 to 1961 when he retired from DAE service.[1] From 1962 to 1974, he was associated with various private sector companies such as AFM, SEL, OXEECO, PIPL in the capacities of a director or managing director. In 1974, he was appointed the chairman of theOil and Natural Gas Commission, a position he held till 1978.[1] From 1978 to 1980, he served as a government secretary in theMinistry of Power, followed by a stint at theWorld Bank as a consultant based inWashington DC till 1992.[1] Simultaneously, he held the post of the chairman ofAndhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation from 1986 to 1988 and later, served as a member of its board of governors.[9] He also served as a board member ofElectronics Corporation of India Limited (1965–79) andIndian Overseas Bank (1969-78).[1]
Bhanu Prasad was married to Pendyala Ananthalakshmi and the couple had four sons.[1] He died on 29 April 2013 inHyderabad at the age of 85.[2]
Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad was associated with three major Indian ventures such as the first nuclear reactor in Trombay, the development ofBombay High oil fields and the first Indian magnesium plant.[1][2][5] He is a recipient ofHonoris Causa degrees of Doctor of Science fromJawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (1975) and Doctor of Philosophy fromAndhra University (1978). He was an elected member of the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences, a founder member of the Hyderabad Management Association and a former president of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCI) and theInstitute of Public Enterprise.[1][5] In 1960, theGovernment of India awarded him the civilian honour ofPadma Shri.[2][5][10] He received the Petrotech Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.[11]
