Ancient mathematics

How to bring the ancient mathematics into focus:

• Unearth Manuscripts: Survey and catalog Indian mathematical manuscripts.
• Translations: Translate and interpret ancient manuscripts.
• Exhibitions: Showcase paintings and sculptures of mathematicians.
• Documentaries/Films: Produce films about mathematicians, like Ramanujan.
• Mathematical Dramas: Create performances to engage people in Indian mathematics.
• History Course: Include the history of mathematics in university curricula.
• Textbooks: Highlight ancient and modern mathematicians’ contributions.
• Modern Context: Present ancient problems in a modern context.
• Physical Connection: Relate mathematical concepts to real-world problems.

Why ancient mathematics has not been in the limelight:

• Lack of Explicit Proofs: Mathematical proofs were often not explicitly written but were well understood.
• Non-strict Chronology: The historical development of ideas was not always presented in a strict chronological order.
• Limited Mass Education: There was no tradition of widespread formal education through written texts.
• Limited European Awareness: Until the 18th century, Europeans had little knowledge of Indian culture and its mathematical contributions, though some ideas were indirectly known.

Problems

Poor research in mathematics:

• Lack of People
• Lack of Funding
• Poor Integration of Teaching and Research

Reasons for the lack of people pursuing mathematics in India:

• Stereotypes about Girls and Mathematics: There is a prevalent stereotype that girls are not as good in mathematics, leading many to pursue fields like medicine or humanities instead.
• Excessive Glorification of Engineering: Engineering has been disproportionately glorified, with IITs becoming the pinnacle of success, drawing brilliant students away from pure mathematics.
• Decline in Values and Passion for the Subject: Many students today approach mathematics with the goal of securing a job rather than pursuing it for the love of the subject.
• Lack of Job Opportunities: The perception that there are limited job opportunities in mathematics discourages many students from pursuing the subject.
• Inadequate Awareness of Careers in Mathematics: There is a general lack of awareness about the diverse career opportunities in pure mathematics (e.g., data science, cryptography, quantitative finance).
• Lack of Strong Role Models and Mentors: The absence of prominent figures or role models in Indian mathematics further discourages students.
• Educational System’s Emphasis on Rote Learning: India’s education system often focuses on rote learning rather than fostering critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Cultural Focus on “Safe” Careers: In Indian society, there is a strong emphasis on securing a stable, well-paying job, and theoretical research is often seen as risky.

Current Initiatives

• NBHM (National Board for Higher Mathematics): Funds research, provides scholarships, and organizes the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO).
• DST (Department of Science and Technology):
  • INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research): Provides scholarships and fellowships for students in basic sciences.
  • SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board): Provides major research grants and fellowships.
• Premier Research Institutes:
  • IISERs (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research)
  • NISER (National Institute of Science Education and Research)
  • CMI (Chennai Mathematical Institute) & IMSc (Institute of Mathematical Sciences)
  • TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) & ISI (Indian Statistical Institute)
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Aims to make education more interdisciplinary, reduce rote learning, and promote critical thinking.

Solutions

1. Reforming School Education (To fix rote learning & build passion)

• Curriculum Overhaul: Shift focus from rote memorization to conceptual understanding and logical reasoning.
• Invest in Teacher Training: Equip teachers with modern pedagogical tools to make mathematics engaging.
• Promote Olympiads: Increase funding and visibility for programs like the INMO to identify and nurture talent early.

2. Increasing Awareness & Changing Perceptions (To fix stereotypes & job fears)

• Run Awareness Campaigns: Showcase non-academic career opportunities (data science, quantitative finance, AI).
• Break Gender Stereotypes: Actively promote successful female mathematicians as role models and create mentorship programs for girls.
• Counter-program Engineering Glorification: Present careers in basic sciences as equally prestigious and impactful.

3. Strengthening Higher Education (To fix poor research integration)

• Integrate Teaching and Research: Include research components and projects at the undergraduate level.
• Industry-Academia Collaboration: Create structured internship and research programs with tech and finance companies.
• Faculty Development: Provide incentives for university professors to engage in active research.

4. Funding and Structural Support (To fix lack of funding & people)

• Increase Research Funding: Earmark a larger portion of the national GDP for R&D, with specific grants for mathematics.
• Improve Fellowships: Increase stipends for Ph.D. students to be financially competitive with entry-level tech jobs.
• Establish Mentorship Networks: Create a national network connecting young students with established Indian mathematicians.