Pranab Dastidar, the scientist who pressed the button of India’s first atomic bomb, died, was selected for this work

The day of 18 May 1974. On this date, scientists of India conducted a nuclear test in Pokhran, Rajasthan. During this test, the scientist who detonated the atomic bomb by pressing the button has died in America. His name was Pranab Dastidar. Pranab Dastidar breathed his last on 11 February in California, USA.
Let us tell you that the code name of India’s first nuclear bomb test was named ‘The Smiling Buddha’. Pranab Dastidar was so enthused by that test that even after so many years of the test he used to remember the moment on every occasion when he pressed the button to detonate the atomic bomb. Pranab Dastidar English newspaper The Times of
Told India that when he was entrusted with the task, he was very excited. The reason was that India was going to be a nuclear power country. The famous nuclear scientist Raja Ramanna has given information about why Pranab Dastidar was chosen to press the button for the test in his book ‘Years of Pilgrimage’. According to Ramanna, there was a debate on the day of the test as to who should be given the responsibility of pressing the button.
On this he suggested that the one who made the trigger of the atomic bomb should be given the responsibility. After which Pranab Dastidar was chosen as he was the one who designed the trigger. The nuclear test in Pokhran was done at 8.05 am. That bomb weighed 1400 kg and was 1.25 meters in diameter.