P. C. Vaidya
Encyclopedia
Prahalad Chunnilal Vaidya (P.C.Vaidya; May 23, 1918 – March 12, 2010), was an India
n physicist
and mathematician
, renowned for his instrumental work in general theory of relativity. Apart from his scientific
career, he was also a profound thought leader, visionary education
ist and a staunch follower of Gandhian philosophy in post-independence India
, specifically in his domicile state Gujarat.
district, Gujarat, India
on May 23, 1918.
Since his childhood, he had demonstrated extraordinary abilities in the field of Mathematics
. He completed most of his schooling in Bhavnagar
, and went to Mumbai
for further study. There, after completing his high school at Ismail Yusuf College, he joined the Institute of Science
(Royal Institute of Science during colonial India). He received his B.Sc.
degree with Mathematics
and Physics
as major subjects. He achieved his M.Sc.
degree with Applied Mathematics
major.
In 1942, P. C. Vaidya expressed his desire to study relativity
through his letters to Professor V. V. Narlikar, father of renowned Indian physicist Jayant Narlikar. Upon his approval, he quickly packed his bags and went to Banaras Hindu University
(BHU), Varanasi
. There he joined the school of relativity, where he studied for about ten months.
At that time, India's freedom struggle
was at its peak with Quit India movement. The political situation was extremely chaotic due to World War II
. He had there with him his wife Vidya and a six months old daughter to support solely on his past savings. Amid that set of tense situations, the idea of a spacetime
geometry
sprouted within his mind. It took only a week for Vaidya to come up with supporting mathematics
. The result was Vaidya Metric
.
Professor
Vaidya obtained his Doctoral
degree (Ph.D.) in mathematics
in 1949.
and abroad.
After his research
stint at BHU
, he went to a number of places to teach mathematics, including reputed Science institutions in Surat
, Rajkot and Mumbai
. During a small period of 1947 – 48, he went to Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
as Research Associate. There he got associated with Homi Bhabha, father of India's nuclear program. Due to accommodation constraints, he left Mumbai
, and continued the rest of his academic career in Gujarat. From 1948 to 1971, he taught at various colleges including: V. P. College, Vallabh Vidyanagar; Gujarat College, Ahmedabad; M.N. College, Visnagar; and University School of Sciences, Gujarat University
.
Seeing his excellent academic track record, in 1971, he was appointed Chairman of Gujarat Public Service Commission. This was followed by Union Public Service Commission
membership during 1977 – 78, during which he served Central Government.
His final professional benchmark was the Vice Chancellorship of Gujarat University
during 1978 – 80. Though brief, it had a lasting impression on Gujarati Academics, as there he remained involved in his teaching even after the end of his career. For a long time, the image of him visiting the campus on big black bicycle wearing Gandhian cap kept students of Gujarat University amazed and inspired. It was here that he gradually began to shift his focus from mere research to large scale improvements in mathematics education across Gujarat and India.
Vaidya's contribution to the international science community had been regular. In June 1971, he delivered a very informative course of lectures at the Institute Henrie Poincare, Paris in June 1971. In July 1971, he attended 6th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation at Copenhagen.
due to deteriorating health.
He was detected with a kidney ailment in January 2010. On March 12, 2010 his condition worsened. He died at early morning.
His family legacy consists of his four daughters, Kumud, Smita, Darshana and Hina, and their families.
. It is very quite complex to implore what describe a physically interesting and practically realizable solution. Professor Vaidya took up on this mission, and accomplished pioneering work which led to conception of such a solution. The result was The Vaidya Metric.
Professor
Vaidya's research
on general theory of relativity was started when he went to Banaras Hindu University
in 1942, where he joined the school of relativity started by Professor V. V. Narlikar. It was only ten months that he spent at BHU
at that time, during which the revolutionary idea of developing a spacetime
geometry
was born within him, which would describe the gravitational potentials in the exterior of a radiating star.
There was pioneering work done around the same area, but it was helpful up to some extent. The well-known Schwarzschild Solution describes the geometry
around a spherical star
. However, it necessarily assumes the exterior of the star to be empty. Vaidya generalized this case to incorporate the radiation
from the star
, and the resulting solution was famous Vaidya metric
. Till date, Vaidya is known to be one of the pioneers of the Golden age of general relativity
.
Invention of Vaidya Metric
gave Professor Vaidya worldwide reputation at small age of 24, even before the beginning of his professional career.
theory. It is widely used and internationally cited to study many problems in gravitation
and general relativity.
At his suggestion, Vikram Sarabhai
laid foundation of mathematics laboratory in Ahmedabad
, a pioneering institute of its kind in India
. It is known today as the Community Science Center
.
Professor Vaidya also established the Gujarat Mathematical Society.
In his efforts to popularize mathematics among Indian students, Professor Vaidya started ‘Suganitam’ mathematics magazine in 1960s. Since its inception, it has been continually read in numerous schools and colleges, and has inspired generations of mathematics teachers and students alike.
He authored several popular science books in Gujarati:
Apart, he regularly wrote mathematical and scientific articles in leading Gujarati cultural magazine, Kumar, founded by Kalaguru (leading painter, art teacher, art critic, journalist and essayist from Gujarat, India) Ravishankar Raval
.
Honesty in public and personal life was his another remarkable trait. According to his close aides, even during peak years of his scientific career, he exercised extreme prudence and wisdom in using his influence for personal gains of his family, or people related to him.
Spending his senior years in Gujarat University
, he initiated state wide efforts to revolutionize mathematics
and science education
- his motivation being "I am the highest paid mathematics teacher in Gujarat. It cannot be (limited) for teaching M.Sc. classes."
As a visionary educationist, he felt a top-down need to change the way mathematics training was imparted to students, and began programs to educate mathematics teachers on "How to teach mathematics." He frequently interacted with primary students, and tried to awaken their curiosity in mathematics. His foundation of Gujarat Mathematical Society in Bhavnagar
, 1964 was aimed at this objective. He tried to reach to farthest rural
areas, and aimed the society's efforts to empower teachers and eradicate fear of the subject from students' minds.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, renowned for his instrumental work in general theory of relativity. Apart from his scientific
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
career, he was also a profound thought leader, visionary education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
ist and a staunch follower of Gandhian philosophy in post-independence India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, specifically in his domicile state Gujarat.
Birth and Academic Life
P. C. Vaidya was born in Shahpur of JunagadhJunagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
district, Gujarat, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
on May 23, 1918.
Since his childhood, he had demonstrated extraordinary abilities in the field of Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. He completed most of his schooling in Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar
-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
, and went to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
for further study. There, after completing his high school at Ismail Yusuf College, he joined the Institute of Science
Institute of Science
The Institute of Science is an institution of postgraduate education and research located in Mumbai, India. It is managed by the Government of Maharashtra and is currently affiliated to the University of Mumbai.Established in 1920...
(Royal Institute of Science during colonial India). He received his B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree with Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
as major subjects. He achieved his M.Sc.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree with Applied Mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
major.
In 1942, P. C. Vaidya expressed his desire to study relativity
Theory of relativity
The theory of relativity, or simply relativity, encompasses two theories of Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. However, the word relativity is sometimes used in reference to Galilean invariance....
through his letters to Professor V. V. Narlikar, father of renowned Indian physicist Jayant Narlikar. Upon his approval, he quickly packed his bags and went to Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
(BHU), Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
. There he joined the school of relativity, where he studied for about ten months.
At that time, India's freedom struggle
Indian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
was at its peak with Quit India movement. The political situation was extremely chaotic due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He had there with him his wife Vidya and a six months old daughter to support solely on his past savings. Amid that set of tense situations, the idea of a spacetime
Spacetime
In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space as being three-dimensional and time playing the role of a fourth dimension that is of a different sort from the spatial dimensions...
geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
sprouted within his mind. It took only a week for Vaidya to come up with supporting mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. The result was Vaidya Metric
Vaidya Metric
The Vaidya metric describes exterior gravitational field due to a radiating star. The metric was proposed by P. C. Vaidya in 1943. It is a non-static generalization of the Schwarzschild metric....
.
Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Vaidya obtained his Doctoral
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
degree (Ph.D.) in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
in 1949.
Professional career
Vaidya's exceptional academic credentials made him highly desired faculty across institutions in both IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and abroad.
After his research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
stint at BHU
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
, he went to a number of places to teach mathematics, including reputed Science institutions in Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
, Rajkot and Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. During a small period of 1947 – 48, he went to Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is a research institution in India dedicated to basic research in mathematics and the sciences. It is a Deemed University and works under the umbrella of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India. It is located at Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai...
as Research Associate. There he got associated with Homi Bhabha, father of India's nuclear program. Due to accommodation constraints, he left Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, and continued the rest of his academic career in Gujarat. From 1948 to 1971, he taught at various colleges including: V. P. College, Vallabh Vidyanagar; Gujarat College, Ahmedabad; M.N. College, Visnagar; and University School of Sciences, Gujarat University
Gujarat University
The Gujarat University is the statewide institution affiliating many reputed colleges across the state of Gujarat, India. It has been given a B++ ranking by National Assessment and Accreditation Council .-History:...
.
Seeing his excellent academic track record, in 1971, he was appointed Chairman of Gujarat Public Service Commission. This was followed by Union Public Service Commission
Union Public Service Commission
The Union Public Service Commission is the central agency authorized to conduct the Civil Services Examination for entry-level appointments to the various Civil Services of India. The agency's charter is granted by the Constitution of India...
membership during 1977 – 78, during which he served Central Government.
His final professional benchmark was the Vice Chancellorship of Gujarat University
Gujarat University
The Gujarat University is the statewide institution affiliating many reputed colleges across the state of Gujarat, India. It has been given a B++ ranking by National Assessment and Accreditation Council .-History:...
during 1978 – 80. Though brief, it had a lasting impression on Gujarati Academics, as there he remained involved in his teaching even after the end of his career. For a long time, the image of him visiting the campus on big black bicycle wearing Gandhian cap kept students of Gujarat University amazed and inspired. It was here that he gradually began to shift his focus from mere research to large scale improvements in mathematics education across Gujarat and India.
International Contributions
During 1964 to 1973, Vaidya served as visiting professor at number of international universities, including:- Visiting Professor of MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
, PullmanPullman, WashingtonPullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census...
, Washington, USA. - Visiting Professor of MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at London University (Queen Elizabeth College), York UniversityYork UniversityYork University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
and Newcastle University in UK. - Visiting Scientist at Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, Dublin, IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. - Visiting Scientist at International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsInternational Centre for Theoretical PhysicsThe Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics was founded in 1964 by Pakistani scientist and Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam after consulting with Munir Ahmad Khan. It operates under a tripartite agreement among the Italian Government, UNESCO, and International Atomic Energy Agency...
at TriesteTriesteTrieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Vaidya's contribution to the international science community had been regular. In June 1971, he delivered a very informative course of lectures at the Institute Henrie Poincare, Paris in June 1971. In July 1971, he attended 6th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation at Copenhagen.
Death
For last several years, Professor Vaidya had confined himself to his Shardanagar house in AhmedabadAhmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
due to deteriorating health.
He was detected with a kidney ailment in January 2010. On March 12, 2010 his condition worsened. He died at early morning.
His family legacy consists of his four daughters, Kumud, Smita, Darshana and Hina, and their families.
Work
Einstein’s theory of gravity is described by a set of complicated equations which use the mathematics of Riemannian geometryRiemannian geometry
Riemannian geometry is the branch of differential geometry that studies Riemannian manifolds, smooth manifolds with a Riemannian metric, i.e. with an inner product on the tangent space at each point which varies smoothly from point to point. This gives, in particular, local notions of angle, length...
. It is very quite complex to implore what describe a physically interesting and practically realizable solution. Professor Vaidya took up on this mission, and accomplished pioneering work which led to conception of such a solution. The result was The Vaidya Metric.
Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Vaidya's research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
on general theory of relativity was started when he went to Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
in 1942, where he joined the school of relativity started by Professor V. V. Narlikar. It was only ten months that he spent at BHU
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
at that time, during which the revolutionary idea of developing a spacetime
Spacetime
In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space as being three-dimensional and time playing the role of a fourth dimension that is of a different sort from the spatial dimensions...
geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
was born within him, which would describe the gravitational potentials in the exterior of a radiating star.
There was pioneering work done around the same area, but it was helpful up to some extent. The well-known Schwarzschild Solution describes the geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
around a spherical star
Star
A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity. At the end of its lifetime, a star can also contain a proportion of degenerate matter. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is the source of most of the energy on Earth...
. However, it necessarily assumes the exterior of the star to be empty. Vaidya generalized this case to incorporate the radiation
Radiation
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing...
from the star
Star
A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity. At the end of its lifetime, a star can also contain a proportion of degenerate matter. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is the source of most of the energy on Earth...
, and the resulting solution was famous Vaidya metric
Vaidya Metric
The Vaidya metric describes exterior gravitational field due to a radiating star. The metric was proposed by P. C. Vaidya in 1943. It is a non-static generalization of the Schwarzschild metric....
. Till date, Vaidya is known to be one of the pioneers of the Golden age of general relativity
Golden age of general relativity
The golden age of general relativity is the period roughly from 1960 to 1975 during which the study of general relativity, which had previously been regarded as something of a curiosity, entered the mainstream of theoretical physics...
.
Invention of Vaidya Metric
Vaidya Metric
The Vaidya metric describes exterior gravitational field due to a radiating star. The metric was proposed by P. C. Vaidya in 1943. It is a non-static generalization of the Schwarzschild metric....
gave Professor Vaidya worldwide reputation at small age of 24, even before the beginning of his professional career.
The Vaidya Metric
Vaidya Metric applies to a set Einstein’s equations that describes the gravitational field of a star which has a sizable radiation. It pioneered the key idea of using the light rays as a coordinate frame. In other words, it was an idea of a null coordinate, which eventually played extremely significant role in subsequent research in gravitation theory during forthcoming decades. The Vaidya metric has by now found many applications in gravitationGravitation
Gravitation, or gravity, is a natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their mass. Gravitation is most familiar as the agent that gives weight to objects with mass and causes them to fall to the ground when dropped...
theory. It is widely used and internationally cited to study many problems in gravitation
Gravitation
Gravitation, or gravity, is a natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their mass. Gravitation is most familiar as the agent that gives weight to objects with mass and causes them to fall to the ground when dropped...
and general relativity.
Contributions to Scientific Community
In February 1969, in an occasion to felicitate Professor V. V. Narlikar on his 60th birthday, Professor Vaidya made a proposition to found a society of Indian relativists. The result was Indian Association for General Relativity and Gravitation (IAGRG), and Professor V. V. Narlikar assumed the position of founder President.At his suggestion, Vikram Sarabhai
Vikram Sarabhai
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian physicist. He is considered to be the father of the Indian space program; legendary Homi Bhabha’s successor as chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission; and was as at home in the world of the arts as in his favourite laboratory. His interests were vast and...
laid foundation of mathematics laboratory in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, a pioneering institute of its kind in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is known today as the Community Science Center
Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre
The Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre, also known as VASCSC or just CSC, is a science centre in Ahmedabad, named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Founded in 1963, the centre aims to promote science and technology education across the city, aimed at children and young adults...
.
Professor Vaidya also established the Gujarat Mathematical Society.
Professional Affiliations
- Founder member of Indian Association for General Relativity and Gravitation (IAGRG).
- Fellow of the Indian Academy of SciencesIndian Academy of SciencesThe Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore was founded by Sir C. V. Raman, and was registered as a Society on 24 April 1934. Inaugurated on 31 July 1934, it began with 65 founding fellows. The first general meeting of Fellows, held on the same day, elected Professor Raman as President, and adopted...
(F.A.Sc.). - Fellow of the Indian National Science AcademyIndian National Science AcademyThe Indian National Science Academy , New Delhi is the apex body of Indian scientists representing all branches of science & technology.-History:...
(F.N.A). - President of Calcutta Mathematical SocietyCalcutta Mathematical SocietyThe Calcutta Mathematical Society is an association of professional mathematicians dedicated to the interests of mathematical research and education in India...
for 2 years. - Honorary Fellow of Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and AstrophysicsInter-University Centre for Astronomy and AstrophysicsThe Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics is an autonomous institution set up by the University Grants Commission to promote nucleation and growth of active groups in astronomy and astrophysics in Indian universities...
(IUCAA), PunePunePune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
. - President of the Indian Mathematical SocietyIndian Mathematical SocietyIndian Mathematical Society is the oldest organization in India devoted to the promotion of study and research in mathematics. The Society was founded in April 1907 by V. Ramaswamy Aiyer with its head-quarters at Pune. The Society started its activities under the name Analytic Club and the name...
- 1976 and 1977. - A Founder Member of an International Journal “General Relativity and Gravitation”, which is published from Berne, Switzerland.
- Member of Indian National Committee on Astronomy- 1976 to 1979.
- President of the U.G.C.University Grants Commission (India)The University Grants Commission of India is a statutory organisation set up by Union government in 1956, for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education. It provides recognition for universities in India, and provides funds for government-recognised...
Committee on Relativity and Cosmology. - Participated in activities that led to revision of state-level syllabi of Mathematics textbooks.
- Founded Gujarat Ganit Mandal in 1964 in BhavnagarBhavnagar-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
. He presided over it in 1964 and 1988. Since inception, it organizes programs in rural areas periodically to spread mathematics across all layers of society.
Literary Work
Professor Vaidya's profound scientific contributions had phenomenal impact in journals and publications. During his life, he authored or co-authored more than thirty research papers in General Relativity and Gravitation. They are cited quite frequently in the field research since their publication.In his efforts to popularize mathematics among Indian students, Professor Vaidya started ‘Suganitam’ mathematics magazine in 1960s. Since its inception, it has been continually read in numerous schools and colleges, and has inspired generations of mathematics teachers and students alike.
He authored several popular science books in Gujarati:
- Akhil Brahamandman ("In the entire Universe")
- Dashansh Paddhati Sha Mate? ("Why Decimal System?")
- Dadaji Ni Vato ("Grandpa's Tales") - a collection of science stories for children
- What is Modern Mathematics?
- Ganit Darshan ("Discourses in Mathematics"). This book won the 1970-71 prize for Gujarati Scientific Literature from Gujarat State Government.
Apart, he regularly wrote mathematical and scientific articles in leading Gujarati cultural magazine, Kumar, founded by Kalaguru (leading painter, art teacher, art critic, journalist and essayist from Gujarat, India) Ravishankar Raval
Ravishankar Raval
Kalaguru Ravishankar Raval was a painter, art teacher, art critic, journalist and essayist from Gujarat, India,He worked for the magazine Vismi Sadi until it closed in 1921, and then founded the cultural magazine Kumar....
.
Inspiring Traits
Professor Vaidya was known among his colleagues and friends as staunch follower of Gandhian principles - simplicity and honesty. Even in his old age, he used to ride a bicycle. He strongly believed that for a mathematician, his brain was the best tool in itself, and research had very less dependency over resources or money. His lectures, always delivered using a chalk and black board, never failed to captivate the student. His memoirs of his teaching and research are titled 'Chalk and Duster’ - his tools of learning and teaching mathematics. Rather than being limited to opinions, he was quite pragmatic in living out his principles.Honesty in public and personal life was his another remarkable trait. According to his close aides, even during peak years of his scientific career, he exercised extreme prudence and wisdom in using his influence for personal gains of his family, or people related to him.
Spending his senior years in Gujarat University
Gujarat University
The Gujarat University is the statewide institution affiliating many reputed colleges across the state of Gujarat, India. It has been given a B++ ranking by National Assessment and Accreditation Council .-History:...
, he initiated state wide efforts to revolutionize mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and science education
Science education
Science education is the field concerned with sharing science content and process with individuals not traditionally considered part of the scientific community. The target individuals may be children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education comprises...
- his motivation being "I am the highest paid mathematics teacher in Gujarat. It cannot be (limited) for teaching M.Sc. classes."
As a visionary educationist, he felt a top-down need to change the way mathematics training was imparted to students, and began programs to educate mathematics teachers on "How to teach mathematics." He frequently interacted with primary students, and tried to awaken their curiosity in mathematics. His foundation of Gujarat Mathematical Society in Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar
-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
, 1964 was aimed at this objective. He tried to reach to farthest rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
areas, and aimed the society's efforts to empower teachers and eradicate fear of the subject from students' minds.