Conference to Highlight South Asia's Mathematical Heritage and Global Knowledge Sharing

Former IAS officer and Director of India International Centre, KN Shrivastava, stated that an upcoming conference and exhibition on South Asia's contributions to mathematics reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of sharing traditional knowledge globally. The event is organized with support from the Ministry of External Affairs. It will explore the rich traditions of South Asia, particularly India, and how knowledge has been preserved through various means like palm leaves, sculptures, and manuscripts.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Shrivastava connected the exhibition to the idea of a 'Civilizational Dialogue Forum' proposed by PM Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of showcasing the region's ancient literature and traditions on a global scale.

Shrivastava explained that the conference focuses on ancient mathematical knowledge. He also mentioned that more conferences will be organized on other subjects, highlighting significant contributions through manuscripts, epigraphy, and oral traditions. He expressed confidence in connecting with a global audience interested in these topics and working towards the goals set by the Minister.

The two-day conference and exhibition aims to educate younger generations about the contributions of ancient mathematicians like Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta, and Bhaskar II. The goal is to benefit the younger generation and to share the accomplishments of ancient people with the global community.

Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Project Director of SAMHiTA (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive), emphasized the vast ecosystem of knowledge, highlighting how mathematics influences fields like music, dance, architecture, and sculptures. The conference will bring together leading mathematicians from around the world. She also mentioned the discussion of innovative methods to introduce ancient mathematical traditions into modern education, including texts like 'Lilavati' by Bhaskara.

The India International Centre is hosting the International conference on South Asia's Manuscript Heritage and Mathematical Contributions. The exhibition will showcase the mathematical contributions of India, featuring ancient and contemporary figures like Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta, Bhaskara II, Srinivas Ramanujan, and CR Rao. The conference will include inaugural remarks by Former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and a keynote address by mathematician Prof. Manjul Bhargava. It will feature discussions on the historical development of mathematics and exchanges with knowledge systems across Asia and beyond. The conference is in collaboration with the Centre for Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems and Skills, IIT Bombay, with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs. The exhibition will be on display at the India International Centre.