In March 2006, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, visited India to finalise the landmark Civil nuclear deal between the two countries. But far from the hum of expectations, the US negotiating team was hard at work in South block—making every possible attempt to alleviate the concerns raised by Anil kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic energy Commission (aec), and Secretary, Department of Atomic energy (dae). kakodkar’s firmness paid off and the US team conceded to the demands made in the interest of India’s strategic autonomy. Little wonder then that when kakodkar was introduced to President Bush, he asked, ‘so you are that kakodkar? Are you happy?’ It is this courage of conviction and firm resolve that has defined the remarkable life and times of Anil kakodkar, one of India’s most respected nuclear scientists.