ABDUS SALAM

Abdus Salam was a renowned theoretical physicist from Pakistan who made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics and was instrumental in the development of Pakistan's scientific infrastructure. His life and career were marked by numerous achievements and challenges.

Born on January 29, 1926, in Jhang, a small town in Punjab, which was then part of British India and is now in Pakistan, Salam belonged to a Punjabi Muslim family. His father, Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain, was an education officer in the Department of Education of Punjab. Salam displayed an exceptional aptitude for mathematics and science from a young age. His brilliance earned him a scholarship to Government College University in Lahore, where he completed his undergraduate studies with honors in mathematics and physics. He furthered his education at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he excelled and achieved first-class honors in both parts of the Mathematical Tripos. In 1951, he obtained his PhD in theoretical physics from the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge under the supervision of Paul Dirac.

After completing his PhD, Salam returned to Pakistan and briefly taught at Government College University, Lahore. However, due to the lack of advanced research facilities in Pakistan, he returned to the UK, accepting a position at the University of Cambridge. In 1957, he was appointed as a professor of theoretical physics at Imperial College London, where he played a key role in establishing the department as a leading center for theoretical physics research. Salam's work spanned various areas of theoretical physics, including quantum electrodynamics, quantum field theory, and particle physics. He is best known for his contribution to the electroweak unification, a theory that unifies the weak nuclear force and electromagnetism. This groundbreaking work, which he developed in collaboration with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg, earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979.

Despite his international acclaim, Salam remained committed to the scientific development of Pakistan. He was instrumental in establishing several key institutions in Pakistan, including the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, which he founded in 1964 to foster advanced scientific research and collaboration among scientists from developing countries. Salam's efforts also led to the establishment of Pakistan's first nuclear power plant, the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP), and he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, although his involvement in the latter remains a subject of controversy.

Salam faced numerous challenges throughout his life, particularly due to his religious beliefs. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, he faced significant persecution in Pakistan, where Ahmadis are declared non-Muslims by the constitution. Despite these challenges, Salam maintained a strong sense of identity and pride in his heritage and continued to advocate for the advancement of science in the Muslim world.

Abdus Salam's legacy is celebrated globally, with numerous awards, honors, and institutions bearing his name. He received honorary degrees from several universities and was a fellow of various prestigious scientific societies, including the Royal Society of London. In recognition of his contributions, the International Centre for Theoretical Physics was renamed the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics after his death. Salam passed away on November 21, 1996, in Oxford, England. His contributions to science, his commitment to the development of scientific infrastructure in Pakistan, and his advocacy for the role of science in developing countries continue to inspire generations of scientists worldwide.

Abdus Salam's life was a testament to his dedication to science and his unwavering commitment to using his knowledge for the betterment of humanity. Despite facing significant personal and professional challenges, his contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of theoretical physics and on the scientific landscape of Pakistan and the developing world.

REFERENCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdus_Salam