Law Kumar Mishra
On this very day—at exactly 10:30 AM—in May 1998, a nuclear bomb was tested in Pokhran.
This involved five underground explosions, conducted one after the other. Interestingly, the first such test in this region was carried out on 18 May 1974, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. During the 1998 tests, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was leading the country.
Pokhran, located about 128 km north of Jaisalmer—on the eastern side of National Highway 125 and around 400 km from Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur—was selected for its suitability for underground explosions. The area’s sandy terrain, distance from human settlements, and strategic secrecy made it ideal.
Preparations had begun long before. Scientists like A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Raja Ramanna, Anil Kakodkar, and D. Rajagopalan visited the site multiple times. Kalam was appointed the chief coordinator of the project. The level of secrecy was so high that even the then-Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, was not informed.
At that time, Shekhawat was receiving complaints from party leaders that there was a severe shortage of potatoes and onions in western Rajasthan—even though the harvest had been excellent. Despite record production in districts like Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Pali, and Jalore, the vegetables were mysteriously absent from the markets.
The reason became clear only after the successful nuclear tests: the potatoes and onions had been redirected to Pokhran.
Roughly 1,000 tons of potatoes and an equal quantity of onions were buried underground at the test site. This was done on the recommendation of nuclear experts. Since five explosions were planned, such a large amount was required. DRDO scientists collected the vegetables, based on research suggesting that potatoes and onions reduce the effects of radiation.
The potato layers helped anchor the bomb in the sandy soil, while onions reacted instantly to the explosions—their color turning blue, which was considered a sign of a successful test. Onions, in essence, acted like sensors.
The next day, Prime Minister Vajpayee, Defense Minister George Fernandes, and Chief Minister Shekhawat visited Pokhran and inspected the test site. Thanks to the potatoes and onions, there was no collateral damage.
Later, the United States imposed economic sanctions on India, but Vajpayee stood his ground and remained unfazed.
To this day, tourists visit Pokhran to see the explosion site. They also pay homage at the Balgadh Fort, built by the Rathore kings of Marwar in the 14th century, and the temple of Deval Sati Mata.
(The author is a senior journalist based at Patna in Bihar)
