Basanti Dulal Nag Chaudhuri obtained his PhD (1940) from University of California, Berkeley, USA specializing in nuclear physics. He served as the Palit Professor, University of Calcutta; Director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata; Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Member, Planning Commission and Scientific Adviser, Ministry of Defence. He was the Visiting Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana (1961-62), University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, Andhra and Kanpur Universities (1980-81) and Lincoln Lecturer (USA).

Academic and Research Achievements:Nag Chaudhuri had made noteworthy contributions to nuclear isomerism, artificial radioactivity, Cerenkov phenomenon and low-temperature plasma. He had written many books including Technology and Society, Science and Society, and Environmental Management in Developing Countries.

Others Contributions:BD Nag Chaudhuri was the Chairman, Cabinet Committee of Science & Technology, Government of India (1969-72), National Committee on Environmental Planning and Co-ordination, Government of India (1975-77), Research Advisory Council, National Physical Laboratory, Delhi (1980-82), Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences of Department of Atomic Energy (1975-77), Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (1974-76); Member and Vice-Chairman, Board of Governors, East West Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii; Member, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste (1976-84); Trustee, Member and Vice-Chairman, International Foundation for Science, Stockholm (1976-82), Member, Board of Directors, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangalore and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore. He served as editor of Science & Culture.

Awards and Honours:Nag Chaudhuri was the recipient of DSc (hc) from Andhra and Kanpur Universities and Padma Vibhushan from Government of India. He was the Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad and Indian Physical Society; Member, American Physical Society; Secretary (1969-70), Vice-President (1971-72) and Foreign Secretary (1973-76), INSA.