The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at SSSIHL commemorated the Legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan on 22 December 2024, observed annually as National Mathematics Day in his honor, focusing on his groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and their lasting influence.
Inaugural Ceremony
The event commenced with an invocatory chant, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The distinguished guests in attendance included:
- Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, SSSIHL
- Dr. Raghunath Sarma, Director, PSN Campus, SSSIHL
- Dr. Lakshminaidu, Head, DMACS
- Prof. R. Thangadurai, Professor, HRI
- Prof. Vijay Patankar, Professor, Flames University
- Mr. Ganesh Kumar, CEO, iFocus Pvt. Ltd.
- Prof. V. Chandrasekaran, Former Head, DMACS
In his inaugural address, Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah emphasized the significance of celebrating National Mathematics Day and highlighted ongoing research in Number Theory at SSSIHL. He also commended the efforts of the Ramanujan Math Club, a student-driven initiative fostering mathematical exploration and engagement.
Dr. N. Uday Kiran, Associate Head, DMACS, SSSIHL, reflected on the enduring relevance of Ramanujan in contemporary academia. He underscored how Ramanujan’s contributions transcend mathematics, resonating across various scientific disciplines. Dr. Kiran also noted that in the rapidly evolving landscape of Indian innovation, Ramanujan’s legacy holds greater significance than ever bef
Plenary Talks
Prof. R. Thangadurai – “Magic Squares and Elliptic Curves”
Prof. Thangadurai, Professor at the Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad, delved into Ramanujan’s early fascination with magic squares, tracing their connections to elliptic curves. He explored the arithmetic properties of 3×3 magic squares and discussed the open problem of Magic Squares of Squares, proposing a novel geometric approach to the challenge.
Prof. Vijay Patankar – “Sum of Two Squares and Modular Forms”
Aimed at undergraduate students, Prof. Patankar, Professor at Flame University, examined the conditions under which an integer can be expressed as the sum of two squares, linking the concept to modular forms. He presented an explicit formula for these representations and explored Ramanujan’s Delta function, illustrating its deep mathematical significance.
Following the plenary talks, research scholars from SSSIHL presented their work aligned with Ramanujan’s mathematical contributions: Shri Rahul Kumar Chanchal discussed the emerging field of Pseudodifferential Arithmetic and its connection to the Ramanujan-Peterson Conjecture. Shri Udvas Acharjee presented his generalization of the Ramanujan sum using regular A-functions. Lastly, Shri Sathyanarayanan delivered a talk on characterizing q-constant sequences within hypergeometric sequences through congruence relations.
Exploring Applications of Ramanujan’s Work
A major highlight was the student-led presentations, where 25 students worked in teams to explore the diverse applications of Ramanujan’s mathematics. Topics included:
- Ramanujan’s fastest approximation of π, comparing it to historical formulas.
- Applications in Black Hole Theory, String Theory, and subatomic particles using Ramanujan summation, modular forms, and the Rogers-Ramanujan identity.
- Cryptography and coding theory, leveraging Ramanujan trigonometric sums and Ramanujan Graphs.
Furthermore, the students explored applications in coding theory through Ramanujan trigonometric sums and in cryptography using Ramanujan Graphs, which arise from the Ramanujan-Peterson Conjecture.
The third-year BSc (Mathematics) students meticulously organized the event, blending academic rigor with interactive engagement. Sessions such as “The Magic of Numbers” and “Fact Check of Ramanujan’s Life” provided an entertaining yet educational exploration of Ramanujan’s contributions and legacy.
The celebrations concluded with a valedictory function, marking the successful culmination of a day dedicated to one of history’s greatest mathematical minds. The event not only honored Ramanujan’s contributions but also inspired students to delve deeper into the beauty and power of mathematics.
