CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 64: GATHERING OF GENIUSES

Flashback

Bengaluru – Indian Institute of Science – Early November 1948

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was so focused on his work that he didn’t notice the evening light coming through the lab windows. He was already making waves in physics and engineering by the time he was thirty. He spent most of his days looking into radio waves and how they could be used for civilian broadcasting. Tonight was the same as always, until the knock came.

His assistant came in and looked very flustered. "Dr. Sarabhai, there’s a man from Delhi here." Says it’s very secret.

The man who came in wore a simple but well-fitting suit and walked with quiet confidence. He didn’t give a name, he just said, "The Prime Minister’s Office needs you to be in Delhi, sir. Complete discretion is very important."

He gave Sarabhai a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office that was signed by Planning Minister G.B. Pant himself and had the seal of the office on it.

No reason given. No information. It was just a summons that couldn’t be turned down.

Sarabhai was both worried and curious as he quickly packed his important notes. What was going on that was so important?

Calcutta—University of Calcutta—That Same Night

Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra was working late in his messy office, which was full of equations about radio physics and atmospheric science. His world was all about research, far away from the politics of Delhi.

Two men with serious faces came in and broke his focus. One person said plainly, "Professor Mitra, the Prime Minister needs you to come to Delhi right away. The transport is waiting."

He gave them an official letter with the Prime Minister’s seal on it. It was a formal request signed by Minister Pant, but it didn’t say what it was for.

Mitra’s blackboard had a half-finished equation on it when he left. His mind was already racing to figure out what could have caused such an unusual call. He put together his most important research papers, his academic curiosity fighting with his growing fear.

Delhi—Secure Conference Room—The Next Morning

The trip had been quick and quiet. Sarabhai and Mitra woke up in a heavily guarded building far away from the government ministries they were used to. There were about a dozen of India’s smartest scientists sitting around a polished table with them.

Dr. Homi Bhabha was already there, calmly sipping tea, his presence confirming the extraordinary nature of this gathering.

G.B. Pant entered, his usual stern demeanor carrying an air of profound purpose.

"Gentlemen," he began, his voice commanding immediate attention, "thank you for responding to this urgent summons. You have been selected for a project of unparalleled national importance. Its very existence must remain absolutely secret."

He revealed the Ashoka Group, explaining its three-layer structure, with Layer 1 being already operational, working on foundational tools and materials.

"You, gentlemen, are here to represent the Layer 3, the Advanced Innovation Divisions. Your task is to develop cutting-edge military, surveillance, energy, and technological assets that will secure India’s future."

Pant then placed documents before them, not simple blueprints, but detailed schematics for devices decades ahead of their time, accompanied by thick research manuals, all written in Prime Minister Mehra’s precise handwriting.

These weren’t just designs; they were complete intellectual frameworks with underlying theories, material specifications, and development roadmaps extending to the year 2025.

Dr. Homi Bhabha picked up a manual labeled "Shakti" (Nuclear Technology). And after giving it thorough read, his brow furrowed as he read.

"Minister Pant... these designs for a compact breeder reactor... the metallurgy specified here... this is theoretically possible, yes, but the knowledge required would place it thirty or forty years ahead of current global research. Where do these come from?"

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, studying the "Agni" (Missile Propulsion) layouts, felt a jolt of excitement mixed with bewilderment.

"These propulsion systems... the fuel compositions, guidance mechanisms... this isn’t just an advancement. This is a quantum leap. The entire field of rocketry is summarized here, with its future evolution mapped out. How is this possible?"

Professor Mitra, absorbed in the "Chakra" (Encryption and Communications) designs, looked up with pale excitement.

"Indeed, are they these thesis real? These communication systems... the logic circuits... this implies theoretical understanding that’s simply unprecedented.

My colleagues in America and Europe are just beginning to conceptualize these ideas, and here are detailed plans for their application."

A senior metallurgist spoke, his voice trembling slightly. "Minister, these specific alloys for high-temperature applications... we’ve been struggling with these problems for years.

These notes detail precisely why and how these materials behave, including optimized production methods. It’s like being handed the solution to a hundred unsolved problems. How..."

Pant allowed himself a small smile. "Gentlemen, the origins of these blueprints are classified at the highest level. What matters is will you be interested to work on these ideas? You will research and reverse-engineer the theory behind these designs.

And eventually grasp the ’why’ of their functionality, not just the ’how’."

Dr. Homi spoke first, "What do we need to do?"

Pant nodded, "Your work will involve intensive theoretical research. You will study these manuals and dissect these blueprints in absolute secrecy within our secure facilities.

It will be purely intellectual groundwork for now, mapping out the scientific principles that make these advanced systems function."

"We anticipate this theoretical research phase will take approximately one to two years. By the time you’re ready for physical prototyping, say, around late 1949 or 1950, Layer 1 and Layer 2 will have delivered the specialized tools, unique alloys, and foundational materials you’ll need to bring these ideas to life.

His expression grew serious. "And most importantly, these plans must never leave this room. They are top secret and must be handled with utmost secrecy."

As the meeting concluded, Pant delivered a final directive. "The Prime Minister had personally asked for you people to head this 3rd Layer. I hope you guys prove him that he wasn’t wrong."

He paused. "You should know that once you begin, you won’t be allowed to leave India for at least the next decade. Even within India, your travel will be restricted for security reasons. This isn’t about doubting your commitment, it’s about preventing any sort of foreign sabotage."

"You may visit your homes and travel locally about once per week. Are there any questions?"

Each genius in the room suddenly felt the weight of this newfound responsibility.

Dr. Sisir Kumar Mitra spoke, "This...Minister, by sabotage...do you mean.."

Pant nodded, confirming the fears of his and the others. "You might not know gentlemen, but if these designs were to leak, the something like sabotage, even total war against India, would be a price that some would not hesitate to pay."

He looked for any more questions.

Seeing no more objections, Pant nodded with satisfaction. "Perfect. Your work will begin within a week."

A month later, the scientists had plunged into the depths of future knowledge. The initial awe had been replaced by relentless intellectual work, grappling with concepts that stretched their minds while offering tantalizing glimpses of a technologically supreme India.

The question of the designs’ origin remained unanswered, but it was overshadowed by the magnitude of the scientific challenges they presented.

Flashback Ends

Delhi – Prime Minister’s Office, South Block – Early December 1948

After Arjun has asked Pant to arrange the meeting with the scientists, the summons were sent to these bright minds with haste.

The Prime Minister’s office had been arranged for an unprecedented gathering.

Dr. Homi Bhabha entered first, followed by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra, Dr. C.V. Raman with his distinctive Nobel laureate bearing, Dr. S.N. Bose, whose work on quantum statistics had already made him legendary, and several other distinguished scientists who had spent the last month immersed in the world of theoretical physics and advanced engineering beyond anything previously imagined.

These were the men who had been living in absolute secrecy, working on technologies that seemed to defy the present era.

The security had been intense, the location of their research labs were utterly secret. Now, for the first time since beginning their work, they were all gathered in one room with the man who had orchestrated this extraordinary scientific endeavor.

"Gentlemen," Arjun greeted them warmly, gesturing to the chairs arranged in a semi-circle before his desk. "Please, be seated. I trust you have all found the blueprints and research papers...illuminating?"

A murmur of acknowledgment rippled through the room. Dr. Bhabha, despite his usual composure, spoke first.

"Prime Minister, they are beyond anything currently known to science. The theoretical elegance, the material specifications for the nuclear systems... it is as if the future has been laid bare."

Dr. Raman, his eyes bright with scientific curiosity, leaned forward.

"The optical principles in some of these designs, Prime Minister...they incorporate wave-particle duality that extend far beyond current understanding. Me and the team assigned under me have been working around the clock to grasp the underlying physics."

Dr. Bose nodded thoughtfully. "The quantum mechanical foundations in the energy systems...they build upon statistical mechanics in ways that seem to anticipate developments we haven’t even begun to conceptualize. It’s extraordinary."

Dr. Sarabhai, his young face showing the strain of intense mental work, added, "The propulsion systems, the guidance mechanisms...it represents a complete revolution in our understanding of aerospace engineering. If they’re possible in reality, then it could propel us to the top of the world."

Arjun smiled, his gaze sweeping across the assembled brilliance of India’s scientific community. "Good. That is precisely their purpose. They are not merely designs to be copied, gentlemen. They are concepts to be mastered, understood from first principles."

He looked directly at each scientist in turn. "Your collective work is the most sacred duty. You are building the very foundations of India’s unassailable future."

The weight of responsibility was palpable in the room. Professor Mitra spoke up, his voice reflecting the thoughts of his colleagues. "We understand the stakes, Prime Minister. But... the sheer leap in knowledge. The source of these designs... it is a question that arises in every laboratory, every day."

Dr. Bose, his thoughtful nature evident, added, "Indeed. The mathematical elegance suggests a unified understanding of physical principles that seems to transcend our current scientific knowledge.

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that these designs come from a future where all the fundamental questions have been answered."

Dr. Raman, ever the experimentalist, was more direct. "I agree."

Arjun’s smile was knowing, his eyes holding a depth that seemed to encompass hidden truths.

"Tell your colleagues, gentlemen, that genius often appears to leap ahead of its time. Tell them that it is the challenge that they might solve after unraveling what is given to them."

The scientists exchanged glances. Dr. Bhabha’s and Dr. Bose’s eyes held a mixture of awe and understanding. Dr. Raman’s scientific skepticism contrasted with patriotic duty.

As for Dr. Sarabhai, his young ambition embraced the challenge regardless of its mysterious origins. Everyone could see that Arjun wasn’t interested in telling them.

"We understand, Prime Minister," Dr. Bhabha said, speaking for the group. "To begin with, all of us here already want to contribute towards building the scientific foundation of India."

Dr. Raman nodded slowly. "The pursuit of knowledge, regardless of its source, is the highest calling of science." Dr. Bose added quietly, "If this knowledge can secure India’s independence and prosperity, then we have a duty to master it."

Dr. Sarabhai, his voice filled with youthful determination, concluded, "Then it’s decided. We won’t inquire about the source anymore. Instead, we shall utilize this sacred knowledge and shall prove that we’re worthy of it."

As the meeting concluded, each scientist felt the weight of their choices, but also the exhilaration of being chosen to shape history.