Biographical Memoirs :: MEGHNAD SAHA

He was an active member of the National Planning Committee appointed by the Indian National Congress in 1938. Saha was chairman or the power and fuels sub-committee, and member of the sub-committee on river training and irrigation.

In 1951 Saha was elected, as an independent candidate, to the Indian Parliament from the North-West Calcutta constituency. His contribution to the debates in the House, because of his special knowledge and background, was particularly valuable in relation to subjects such as education, industrial policy, river-valley projects and atomic energy.

Saha was widely travelled in Europe and the U .S.A. He had been twice to the U.S.S.R. He was the Indian delegate to the 220th Anniversary Celebrations (1945) of the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

In March 1954 the 60th birthday of Saha was celebrated in Calcutta, Allahabad and Delhi by his many friends, old students and admirers. A Commemoration Volume Professor Meghnad Saha - His life, work and philosophy, edited by S. N. Sen was published on the occasion. (The photograph of Professor Saha facing page 217 was taken in his 60th year.)

During the last years of his life Saha was keeping an indifferent health. He was suffering from high blood pressure. But the end came rather suddenly. He passed away on 16 February 1956.

The life of Saha was in a sense an integral part of the growth of scientific research and progress in India, and the effect of his views and powerful personality would be felt for a long time to come in almost every aspect of scientific activity in the country. His dedication to science, his forthrightness and utter disregard of personal comforts in the pursuit of his chosen vocation will long remain an inspiration and an example.

Saha was married in June 1918 to Shrimati Radha Rani Saha. Her kindliness and genuine simplicity of character have won for her the affection and respect of generations of students and colleagues of Saha. Saha is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. The eldest son, A. K. Saha, is Professor in the Institute of Nuclear Physics.

In the preparation of this memoir I have drawn rather freely on the Commemoration Volume presented to Saha on his 60th birthday.

D. S. KOTHARI