Need to promote maths among youths: President

Inaugurating the nine-day International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre in Hyderabad on Thursday, president Pratibha Patil stressed on the need to promote mathematics among the young generation.

The president said mathematics not only developed rational thinking, but also promoted scientific temper and the need to understanding the subject was necessary in all walks of life be engineering,  finance or social sciences.

“Since Independence, India has recognised the importance of science as a vehicle for human progress. Mathematics, the language of science and its advancement, is an integral part of India’s science policy,” she said.

“Economics and social sciences, which were once impervious to Mathematics, are coming under its influence. Mathematics inculcates rational thinking. Apart from its role in other human endeavours, we also recognise the profound cultural dimension that the study of Mathematics has,” Patil said.

Noting that India’s engagement with Mathematics dated back to some 3,000 years, the president said the country had a rich Mathematical heritage and has been accorded a primary position among intellectual pursuits. “Like the crest of the peacock and the jewel of the serpent, Mathematics stands at the helm of all sciences,” Patil said, quoting a Sanskrit verse.

She recalled the contributions of Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta to the development of Algebra and Astronomy.

“However, till the last century, the West was unaware of Madhava, a 15th century mathematician who anticipated the essentials of Calculus. Only in recent years that the work of ‘Kerala School’ has attracted attention from historians of mathematics,” she said.
The revival of mathematical activity in India was triggered in the 20th century by Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose achievements inspired succeeding generations, she said.

She gave awards to eminent mathematicians on the occasion. Four Fields Medals were presented to Elon Lindenstrauss (Israel), Ngo Bao Chau (Vietnam), Stanislav Smirnov (Russia) and Cedric Villani (France). The Rolf Nevanlinna Prize was presented to Daniel Spielman of Yale University, while the Gauss Prize was given to Yves Meyer of France. The Chern Medal Award for lifelong achievements in Mathematics was presented to Canadian Louis Nirenberg of New York University.