SHILLONG: Numbers, if played with properly, can create magic, and one need not be degree holder or a doctorate to decipher this subtle yet simple aspect.
One such mathematical magic was realised by an undergraduate, late Peter Wahlang, decades ago. The invention was that of a ‘calendar for 300 years’, from 1800 to 2100, developed way back and released for the first time in 1959.
Late Wahlang, who was the Principal of Khasi-Pnar Academy (now DNS Wallang Memorial School), offered the people of Khasi-Jaintia Hills a gem of mathematical wisdom which was not accepted during those days.
The “Peter Wahlang Calendar”, as it can be termed, priced then at Rs 0.50 was released again in 1992.
On Tuesday, legal advisor of Maitshaphrang Movement (MSM), Alistair Diengdoh released the calendar for the third time in the presence of a gathering which included the daughter and family members of Peter Wahlang.
On the occasion, MSM convener, Michael Syiem, termed late Wahlang as an unsung hero of the Khasi-Jaintia community.
The one of its kind mathematical ingenuity automatically gives out the day of the week a person is born once the date of birth is checked in the calendar.
The MSM, which is responsible for getting the long forgotten calendar out of its dusty shelf, sent it immediately to a professor of the history of Mathematics, Dr Amadou B. Guisse from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in an attempt to dig deep into the mathematical wizardry.
Dr Guisse took three years to study the calendar and also consulted other noted professors.
In a letter to Syiem Dr Guisse stated, “Comparison of the calendar developed by Peter Wahlang with the mathematical formulation and the existing algorithms proves its uniqueness and originality.”
The findings and research of Dr Guisse also proved that the calendar was indeed a one of its kind invention.
Syiem relayed the message of Dr Guisse to the attendees which stated that he had never seen a calendar of just two pages which also included leap years.
Speaking more about the ‘Peter Wahlang Calendar’, Syiem said, “A genius had lived among us but sadly while it (the calendar) was re-printed in 1992 and distributed to the schools and colleges, it was not appreciated.”
Observing that awards did not mark a person’s talent, the attendees of the gathering decided to send a copy of the calendar to the Department of Mathematics, NEHU.
Late Wahlang’s daughter, Dapbianghun Khongwir, was keen to promote his works, however, she said that it was up to the State Education department to take up the matter.
“If I have to finance to promote his works I will wholeheartedly take up (the cause), she said”
After almost 56 years late Wahlang’s mathematical brilliance came to the fore and on this note as a mark of remembrance, it was decided that from 2017 the ‘Peter Wahlang Award for Mathematics’ will be given to students who excel in the subject. The award will consist of a cash prize of Rs 20,000 and will be sponsored by Kordor Syiem Yeboah and Barth Yebaoh.
