To honor the birth anniversary of the esteemed Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the Indian government designated December 22 as National Mathematics Day. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 26, 2011, at Madras University, commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan. Additionally, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared that the year 2012 would be celebrated as the National Mathematics Year.

About Srinivasa Ramanujan

• Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920) was an Indian mathematician who made extraordinary contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions.
• Despite having little formal training in mathematics, Ramanujan developed groundbreaking theories and equations, many of which were ahead of their time.
• His work, such as the Ramanujan prime, Ramanujan theta function, partition formula, and contributions to modular forms, continues to be highly influential in modern mathematics.
• He is most famous for his collaboration with British mathematician G.H. Hardy, who recognized Ramanujan’s genius and worked with him at the University of Cambridge.

Significance of National Mathematics Day

National Mathematics Day is not just a tribute to Ramanujan but also an opportunity to emphasize the importance of mathematics in education and its relevance in everyday life and scientific advancement. The day is celebrated with various educational activities aimed at encouraging a love for mathematics among students and promoting research and innovation in the field.

Objectives of National Mathematics Day

1. Promote Mathematical Learning: The day seeks to foster an appreciation for mathematics among students and young minds, demonstrating its importance and application in various fields such as engineering, economics, and physics.

2. Encourage Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Mathematics is a tool for developing logical reasoning and analytical skills. Through competitions, workshops, and seminars, the day encourages students to approach problems systematically.

3. Recognize Contributions to Mathematics: Apart from honoring Ramanujan, the day serves as an opportunity to highlight the achievements of other mathematicians and researchers who have contributed to the advancement of the field.

4. Raise Awareness about the Importance of Mathematics in Society: Mathematics plays a crucial role in technological advancements, scientific research, economics, and many other fields. National Mathematics Day emphasizes the need to understand and apply mathematical concepts in these areas.

Celebrations and Activities

1. Mathematical Competitions and Quizzes: Schools and colleges across the country organize various math-related competitions such as quizzes, problem-solving contests, and essay writing to stimulate interest in mathematics among students.

2. Workshops and Seminars: Educational institutions and organizations conduct workshops, seminars, and lectures on various mathematical topics to spread awareness and knowledge about the subject. Renowned mathematicians and educators often participate in these events.

3. Mathematical Exhibitions: Exhibitions showcasing mathematical models, theories, and contributions of Ramanujan and other mathematicians are held in various institutions to demonstrate the application of mathematical concepts in real life.

4. Ramanujan Lectures and Memorials: Special lectures and talks are organized to discuss the life and contributions of Srinivasa Ramanujan. These often include discussions about his groundbreaking work and its continuing impact on modern mathematics.

5. Promoting Research: Research institutions and universities focus on promoting new research in the field of mathematics, encouraging scholars and students to explore deeper aspects of mathematical theory and applications.

Impact of National Mathematics Day

1. Increased Interest in Mathematics: Since its inception, National Mathematics Day has helped generate interest in the subject among young students, motivating them to pursue careers in fields that require strong mathematical skills.

2. Global Recognition of Indian Contributions to Mathematics: The celebration of Srinivasa Ramanujan’s contributions on this day has not only raised awareness within India but has also garnered international recognition for India's rich legacy in the field of mathematics.

3. Support for Mathematical Research: The day has helped promote mathematical research, with various governmental and non-governmental organizations supporting educational initiatives and research projects related to mathematics.

4. Mathematics in Daily Life: By promoting the importance of mathematics, the day helps people realize its application in daily life, from simple calculations to complex scientific discoveries.

Contributions of Srinivasa Ramanujan to Mathematics

1. Ramanujan's Notebooks: Ramanujan left behind several notebooks containing thousands of results, most without proofs. His notebooks have been studied extensively, and many of his theorems have been proven and expanded upon by mathematicians in later years.

2. Partition Theory: Ramanujan made significant contributions to partition theory, which deals with the number of ways a positive integer can be expressed as the sum of positive integers, regardless of the order.

3. Mock Theta Functions: Ramanujan introduced the concept of mock theta functions, which have been crucial in the development of modern number theory.

4. Ramanujan's Tau Function: He formulated the Ramanujan tau function, which is a function in number theory that is related to modular forms.

5. Hardy-Ramanujan Number: The famous anecdote of the Hardy-Ramanujan number, 1729, which is the smallest number that can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two different ways:
   1729 = 1^3 + 12^3 = 9^3 + 10^3, has become a celebrated story of Ramanujan’s intuitive genius.

Conclusion

National Mathematics Day serves as an important occasion to celebrate the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan and to inspire future generations of mathematicians. By honoring one of the greatest mathematical minds in history, India emphasizes the significance of mathematics in education, research, and development, encouraging young people to explore the beauty of the subject.