Memorial Service on 30th August 2025 – Dr L V Krishnan

Memorial Service for Dr L V Krishnan 

It is with profound grief and sadness that we invite you to join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Dr. L. V. Krishnan, a leading nuclear safety expert and a distinguished member of C3S, who has inspired the hearts of many. In his honour, a memorial service will be held on 30^th August at 11 am at the C3S Office. We look forward to your presence to reflect on the cherished moments shared and pay tribute to the legacy that will forever remain in our hearts. 

About Professor LV Krishnan 

08/05/1937 – 15/08/2025

Professor LV Krishnan graduated in Physics with an honours degree from Presidency College, Chennai and joined the Department of Atomic Energy in 1958. He attended the Training School of then Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay, graduated in 1959 and joined the Health Physics Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. He specialised in Safety Analysis of Nuclear Facilities at the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology, US. Following this, he worked on 'fast breeder reactor safety aspects' from 1969 to '70 at the Cadarache Research Centre, France. He was instrumental in establishing the Safety Research Laboratory at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam and tested an Emergency Preparedness Plan for the plant. He retired from IGCAR as Director of the Safety Research and Health Physics Programmes.

A tribute from the Director 

With saddened hearts, we share the devastating news of the passing of Dr. LV Krishnan, as shared by his son, Mr Sathyanarayana. He said that Sri LVK passed away peacefully. 

Having known him for over two decades, more so in ORF and C3S, my sorrow has no boundaries. He remained steadfast in his unwavering support of C3S, where he remained the most committed distinguished member. Whether it was guidance to the researchers and interns, academic intellectual support, or financial support, he stood like a rock. C3S, as a think tank, and I in personal capacity, are indebted to the moral, material, and monetary support in times of duress. He literally put his hands into his pension savings and contributed lakhs of rupees year after year to sustain our tempo. 

His scientific temper, enormous patience, and painstaking efforts to help researchers are unparalleled, and he continues to motivate us in our quest for knowledge. He remained humble despite such in-depth knowledge not just in his primary domain of nuclear expertise but also in IR and foreign policy. 

Nearing eighty, he enrolled in the Chinese language course and passed the exam, inspiring the young minds who were doing the course. 

Despite some setbacks to his health, he continued to engage with our activities and provide support in all facets. I would consider myself fortunate to have come in contact with him and to have learnt life lessons from him. There was also a special bonding as we always exchanged a few sentences in Kannada each time we met. As highlighted by Ambassador Ganapathi, another distinguished member of C3S, on the Krishnashtami, the birthday of lord Krishna, we lost our dear Sri Krishnan.

What stood out was his humility, gentle, amicable demeanor, and a keenness to contribute to the youth programmes through knowledge, engagement, and education. We will continue to cherish and uphold the values he practiced and stood by.  

In his passing away, C3S as a think tank and I personally have lost a great friend, philosopher, guide, and above all a great outstanding human being, the type that is rare to come by. 

May his work, cherished memories of our association continue to guide us in C3S to live up to his expectations. May God give the strength to the bereaved members of his supportive family to carry on with his legacy and support his ideals. 

With uncontrolled grief and sadness,

Om Shanti, Dr Krishnan. We will miss you forever. 

Commodore R S Vasan IN (Retd)

Director General, Chennai Centre for China Studies,

Regional Director National Maritime Foundation (TN)