Just finished reading 'The man who knew infinity', a biography of the Indian mathematical genius 'S. Ramanujan'. Born in a poor south Indian family, with access only to a little preliminary (and outdated) mathematical literature, Ramanujan discovered theorems that have baffled the best minds of mathematics ever since. Comparable in originality to the likes of Euler and Jacobi and cut off from the latest mathematical research, he rediscovered much of the mathematics of the past century for himself and made profoundly original contributions in the areas of infinite series, partition theory and highly composite numbers. His notebooks are still being studied to discover hidden nuggets. So startling were his contributions that Hardy once remarked, "These theorems must be true, as nobody could have imagined them".
While in India, owing to his single minded obsession with mathematics, Ramanujan was unable to pass the degree exam and get a job. He mailed some of his work to British mathematicians (one of whom was Hardy). Hardy recognized the brilliance of his work and brought Ramanujan to Cambridge. And so began one of the most fruitful collaborations in mathematics. But after just a few years, Ramanujan had to return back because of his ill health and died at the age of just thirty-two. But in such a small lifetime, Ramanujan managed to do so much that one can't keep but wonder what if had he lived a decade or two more?
But apart from mathematics, what he (IMHO more importantly) did was, give confidence to the youth (and in particular Indian Youth), that you can make it against all odds. And you don't have to barter your Indian-ness for success. Generations of mathematicians and scientists all over the world took inspiration from him, which include such luminaries as Freeman Dyson and Nobel laureate S. Chandrashekhar. Where Indians were once looked upon as too backward to achieve anything, he set a shining example.
But his life is also a word of warning, had Hardy ignored him just like almost everybody else, how much would that have cost us? His work in the realm of pure mathematics, that might seem (to some), useless in 'real life', has found applications in diverse fields ranging from crystallography to cryptology. But what about todays Ramanujans? How many are being pushed in obscurity by mindless bureaucracy? That one question is sure to bother us all.
While in India, owing to his single minded obsession with mathematics, Ramanujan was unable to pass the degree exam and get a job. He mailed some of his work to British mathematicians (one of whom was Hardy). Hardy recognized the brilliance of his work and brought Ramanujan to Cambridge. And so began one of the most fruitful collaborations in mathematics. But after just a few years, Ramanujan had to return back because of his ill health and died at the age of just thirty-two. But in such a small lifetime, Ramanujan managed to do so much that one can't keep but wonder what if had he lived a decade or two more?
But apart from mathematics, what he (IMHO more importantly) did was, give confidence to the youth (and in particular Indian Youth), that you can make it against all odds. And you don't have to barter your Indian-ness for success. Generations of mathematicians and scientists all over the world took inspiration from him, which include such luminaries as Freeman Dyson and Nobel laureate S. Chandrashekhar. Where Indians were once looked upon as too backward to achieve anything, he set a shining example.
But his life is also a word of warning, had Hardy ignored him just like almost everybody else, how much would that have cost us? His work in the realm of pure mathematics, that might seem (to some), useless in 'real life', has found applications in diverse fields ranging from crystallography to cryptology. But what about todays Ramanujans? How many are being pushed in obscurity by mindless bureaucracy? That one question is sure to bother us all.
6 comments:
Really great epilog !
" And you don't have to barter your Indian-ness for success "
To whom are you pointing mohsin ?
@Invincible
YouKnowWho... :-)
This book is a gem. I haven't had a chance to complete it but it's really enchanting. Certainly Ramanujan was one of the pioneers who changed the world's view towards India.
One question always linger in my mind, can we have some more Ramanujans? You see, apart from Mathematics, Ramanujan was considered as a "dumb" student in rest all subjects. He was lucky to find someone like Prof. Hardy.
Don't you think our education system should give us a flexibility to pursue a career in subjects which we like?
barter your indian-ness for success? ....eh ....yeh baat kuch hajam nahi hui......Plz clarify.Its not correct to claim something without any proof you see.
@Vivek
You see, at that time, India was considered the nation of snake-charmers.
One level up were the so called 'Kale Angrez',who considered themselves superior to the rest of Indians. But Ramanujan was different. He did not ridicule his roots like so many of these 'kale angrez'. My point is, he achieved unparalleled success without becoming a 'kala angrez', and I consider that an important thing in itself.
@Onkar
I surely feel we (still, after the brain drain) have people with the talent of Ramanujan, but the problem is todays system is even less qualified to recognize and encourage them. As for the educational system, I believe that it is OK to give a test of all subjects to a student so that he/she can make an informed choice. The system that allows you to pursue only the subject that you feel interested in may prove disastrous if introduced too early in a students education. Also we need to remember that , Ramanujan went to the extreme pursuing his passion and tend to ignore his other duties (family etc), I don't think that might be possible for everybody.
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