Science of Science & Technology in India -Two day conference on Ramanujan concludes at PU

Chandigarh sunita shastri:The Department of Mathematics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, in association with the Chandigarh Chapter of the National Academy of Sciences, India and the Society for Promotion of Science of Science & Technology in India (SPSTI)organized a two day online conference,”Life, Work and Legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan”, to commemorate his 100th death anniversary. Two sessions were organized, They were attended by 100 participants on the zoom and around 5900 reached on Facebook page of SPSTI. Former Vice Chancellors of PU Prof. Arun Grover and Prof K.N. Pathak along with Prof. I. B. S. Passi,well known Mathematician from the Department, graced the occasion.The session on November 20, 2020 started with welcome address by Prof. Gurmeet Kaur Bakshi, Chairperson, Dept. of Mathematics, PU. Shri DharmVir, President, SPSTI gave a brief introduction of the work and initiatives of SPSTI for promotion of science and technology among young minds. The first lecture, “the tragedy and triumph of life of the genius”, was delivered by Padma Shri Prof. Dinesh Singh, Chancellor, K. R. Mangalam University, Gurugram and former VC, Delhi University. He dwelled on the life of Ramanujan and presented the achievements and challenges he faced in a very lucid manner. He mentioned how inspite of facing many difficulties throughout his life he pursued his grand passion for till his last breath. Ramanujan was the first to show the British that Indians not only can match them but can also be better. During his short life span, the great Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887 – 1920) independently compiled nearly 3900 results (mostly identities and equations).The next speaker, Prof. George Andrews, Evan Pugh Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University, Prof. Andrews deliberated on how Ramanujan may have thought of the mock theta functions. He engaged the participants with a detailed derivation of mock theta functions and also mentioned that there are three more functions which Ramanujan mentioned in his last letter to Prof. G.H. Hardy which are higher order series, not related to each other, and remain mysteries till today. Both the lectures followed with questions which were answered in detail by both the speakers. Prof. VanitaVerma presented vote of thanks.The last session of the conference was on November 21 in which Prof. A.K. Agarwal, Dept. of Mathematics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, delivered a very insightful and critical lecture, “The Legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan”. The Mathematician talked on various aspects of his life and research considering his family, his struggle and also his spirituality. His practical approach to the life of Ramanujan made the audience on Zoom and facebook page of SPSTI connected with both the Speaker and the great Ramanujan. The talk ended with a discussion on inclusion of Ramanujan’s work at junior classes as well. DrAnjana Khurana delivered a vote of thanks.