Chennai
Due to his contribution to mathematics and discoveries in many fields of the subject, his birth anniversary is regarded as National Mathematics Day. “Maths teaches you to think, to problem solve, make connections with what you know, apply what you have learned, hone observation skills and look for patterns in places one wouldn’t normally venture to,” said one Twitter user, wishing the mathematician on his 133rd birth anniversary.
Mathematics teachers too took to celebrating Ramanujan, talking about the achievements of their students while students showcased their achievements in mathematics Olympiads on social media. For Ramanujan, a deeply religious person, mathematics was a holy experience. One Twitter user noted this, stating, “He credited his talent and many achievements to Goddess Mahalakshmi of Namakkal. He’s a great soul who experienced the presence of the Mother Goddess.” But the city had done much for the mathematician as well. According to Rajith Nair, founder of The Traveling Gecko, Chennai was where Ramanujan met Narayana Aiyer, treasurer of the Indian Mathematical Society. Seeing his genius, Aiyer put him in touch with Sir Francis Spring, Chairman of the Madras Port Trust, who assisted his meeting with GH Hardy, who later mentored him in Cambridge.
Additionally, Madras University bent the rules to allow Ramanujan, who did not complete his higher education, to become their first ever research scholar and travel to Cambridge to broaden his work.
“Chennai was the springboard for Ramanujan. What is interesting to note is that nobody held him back.
Nobody looked at race, especially given the context as this was when the Indian Independence Movement was building. They only looked at his skill and talent,” said Nair.
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