Indian knowledge systems

Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has often discussed India’s contribution to the field of Mathematics owing to our invention of Zero, and spoke about Vedic Mathematics during the 88th episode on his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

Indian Knowledge Systems division is an innovative cell under Ministry of Education, in which the proposals for inter-disciplinary research in all subjects ranging from Art, Music, Dance, Drama, Indology to Mathematics, Astronomy, Science, Technology, Life science, Environmental sciences, Health, Yoga and other new fields have been invited.Rich heritage and traditional knowledge of Bharat about Vedas and Upanishads is also included.Research papers and books on the topic by leading thinkers are being prepared to develop Vision 2047 documenting a roadmap for establishing INS or Bharatiya Gyan Parampara based on the ancient and traditional Indian knowledge.Bharat has always boasted of a rich tradition in the area of learning and education since time immemorial. It is well known that people from other nations such as Europe, the Middle East, and Portugal came to Bharat to get a quality liberal education.

We come to know more and more about less and less. Once a scientist supposedly knew everything about atom; but atom has ramified into several branches like Electronics, Nuclear Physics, and Solid State Physics. Each specialist knows their own branch and cannot afford to know everything about other branches. Life before birth or after death, whether it is or isn’t, has to be investigated scientifically. The other alternative is to direct our gaze inwards and try the instruments of yoga to know more about the life after death although there is much Indian literature on this topic by the Saints and Munis of Bharat.

In Indian literature, Zero or Shuniya or Wheel of Creation is the most meaningful concept which has roots in Vedas and is beyond the concepts of space and matter. Shuniya is to be crossed for merger into super-conscious state of Turyateeta (yogic word), full of supreme bliss. A stage is reached when after constant practice of getting true knowledge, the aspirant is fit to enter into a region of Zero that is the region of absolute purity.Shuniya is of nature of nihility with respect to physical plane but it places at the feet of possessor the entire treasure of existence. There is no difference between zero and infinity like energy and holder of energy. Mahabindu, the great point where all existence stands with infinite power and glory, connects Zero to Infinity. Zero is represented by point or circle and one of its applications is Number Theory practized widely in this world.

The form of our body is a great mystery and exploration of self is by Pratibigya, when we reach the fourth state of consciousness apart from three other states namely Wakeful, Sleep, and Dream. The 4^th state is pure consciousness, enlightenment from central part of brain. The five functions related to Cosmos are creation, maintenance, destruction, dissolution and restoration.

Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician who made pioneering contributions to number theory was born on 22^nd December, 1887. We celebrate the birthday of Srinivasa Ramanujan as the National Mathematics Day. In the words of Prof. Manjul Bhargava, the Fields’ Medal winner, “Ramanujan is a true national hero, a saint known to everyone”. Ramanujan saw things in Mathematics that no one could have even dreamt of seeing before. His story is incredibly inspirational and his place in Mathematics is huge and only grows every year as more of his work is understood. Speaking about Mathematics teaching in India, Bhargava admitted that it is robotic, and we have to make it creative and beautiful and that depends on how to teach it. This is definitely a Golden age for Mathematics in India and many more young people in India are eager to enter the field of Mathematics.

The students of today should be taught about the great Indian mathematicians like Panini, Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, Brahmgupta, Ramanujan and their literature written in Indian languages and also about the important breakthroughs in the history of Mathematics. It is always good to encourage our students to start thinking about numbers and their use in their own language(s)which comes naturally and comfortably to them.They should be trained in mathematical riddles, Brain teasers, Magical squares, Sudoku, Cards and Chess for logical thinking and improving concentration. Students should apply skills in estimating and calculating with whole numbers to solve and model everyday problems in a wide range of authentic contexts using efficient mental, written and digital strategies. They should be able to identify situations where money is used and apply their knowledge of the value of money to purchasing, budgeting and justifying the use of money. This element involves students developing an understanding of the meaning of fractions and decimals, their representations as percentages, ratios and rates, and how they can be applied in real-life situations.

Mathematical skills include constructing and clearly presenting mathematical and logical arguments, advanced numeracy skills, turning real world problems into mathematical problems, analyzing data, finding patterns and extracting solutions, thereby developing teamwork, leadership, and presentation skills. Mathematics can be offered as a joint honors degree paired with business management, computer science, economics, finance, sports science etc. There should be options to choose a foundation mathematics programme through various mathematical institutes offering research environments. Mathematics learning can be used as a sturdy foundation for nation-building since mathematical skills garnered from the stage of childhood itself go a long way in ascertaining the path a nation undertakes to become a global scientific and technological leader. Mathematics undoubtedly is going to play a crucial role in India’s growth story as an emerging superpower.

By Prof. Raj Shree Dhar

Prof. Raj Shree Dhar is Principal, Govt. Degree College Purmandal, J&K.