KARAIKUDI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said more emphasis should be given to mathematics education in the country.
Speaking after opening the Ramanujan Centre for Higher Mathematics at Alagappa University here, he said India has a glorious tradition in mathematics. This needs to be encouraged and nurtured.
”We need to carry forward the legacy of great mathematicians like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and Srinivasan Ramanujan”, he said, adding, this was important because mathematics was finding increasing use in the study of other disciplines.
Noting that India faces shortage of competent mathematicians and the mathematical community has a responsibility to encourage and facilitate the study of mathematics as an academic discipline in the country, the Prime Minsiter said ”I am sure that this Centre will be of great help in promoting mathematics education in this part of our country.”
Lauding the role of philanthropist Dr R M Alagappa Chettiar, who had founded this University, Dr Singh said ”as long back as 1948, Dr Alagappa Chettiar had dreamt of a Centre for Mathematics named after Ramanujan.”
”I am very happy that his dream stands realised today and I join all of you in paying respects to Dr Alagappa Chettiar on this occasion”, he said.
Dr Singh declared 2012 as the National Mathematics Year and Dec 22, the day Ramanujan was born, as Mathematics Day.
Stating that mathematics can be regarded as the mother science, he said natural sciences have had a symbiotic relationship with mathematics.
Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, also present at the occasion, said Ramanujan’s life shows that it is not necessary to have a regular university degree.
Union Ministers G.K. Vasan, Jayanthi Natarajan, V.Narayanasamy were also present at the function. (UNI)
