Growing The Tree Of Science: Homi Bhabha And The Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research Homi Bhabha And The Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research

How does a premier institute of science come into being? How does it foster a culture promoting free thinking and original research? What impact do the policies of a newly independent nation have on the way it functions? Exploring such themes and analysing the dissonances between institutional records and individual recollections, this book narrates the unique history of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. Acutely aware that a scientific temper had not been nurtured in colonial India, Cambridge-trained physicist Homi Bhabha, who later came to be known as the architect of India's atomic energy programme, wished to plant the tree of science on Indian soil. Thus was born TIFR on 19 December 1945. What followed were years of dynamic growth and struggle during which some of the best minds from across the world worked as well as taught at the institute. Using both archival documents and detailed interviews, Growing the Tree of Science blends history and memory to reinterpret institutional legacy by moving beyond Bhabha's individual efforts and bringing to light the role of younger scientists during the formative years of TIFR. In the process emerges a fascinating account in which personal connections, novel forms of philanthropy, art and architecture, and international training networks, all come together in creating a vibrant culture of science at TIFR. This book is about one of the premier scientific institutions of modern India, the 'Tata Institute of Fundamental Research' (TIFR) founded by the physicist Homi Bhabha in 1945. In a critical departure from books that focus on Bhabha as the architect of Indias Atomic Energy Programme, 'Growing the Tree of Science' concentrates instead on his efforts towards the creation of a scientific culture at his Institute. Bhabhas institutional model came from the West; the book details out his efforts to transplant the tree of science on Indian soil. Chowdhury weaves together a story of personal connections, new forms of philanthropy, nationalist objectives, ideas of citizenship, international training networks and art, design, architecture and landscape that shaped scientific life at TIFR. Analysing the dissonances between institutional narratives and individual recollections, the book asks how might we interpret the nature of institutional legacy. The book goes beyond Bhabhas individual efforts and reveals the ways in which the Institute was also shaped by younger scientists who attempted to reinterpret institutional legacy. 00 Dreams And Realities -- Science And The Creation Of An Elsewhere -- Building A Scientific Community -- International Networks And Institutional Life -- The Predicaments Of Institutional Legacy. Indira Chowdhury. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 254-262) And Index. Growing the Tree of Science examines the creation of a culture of science at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, one of Indias premier scientific institutions founded by Homi Bhabha.