Nagpur: In a first in the country, the great mathematician Srinivas Ramanujan was paid a unique tribute as 5,000 students simultaneously recited the math table ‘Bay Eka Bay’ in unison at Chitnis Park in Nagpur. The event was jointly organized by Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Agresar Foundation, MoneyBee Institute and South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) to mark National Mathematics Day.
About 5000 students from 75 schools in the city enthusiastically read ‘Bay Eka Bay’ in groups of 2 to 10. The students were seated in the shape of 75 on the occasion of 75 years of independence.
Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, Deputy Mayor Manisha Dhawde, Leader of Opposition Tanaji Wanve, Director,SCZCC, Deepak Khirwadkar, Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Education Committee Chairperson Dilip Dive, Sports Committee Chairperson Pramod Tabhane, Gandhibagh Zone Chairperson Shraddha Pathak, Education Officer Preeti Mishrikotkar, Shivani Dani Vakhre of Agresar Foundation and Milind Bhakre were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor appreciated the Agresar Foundation that is working to instill interest in Mathematics and Science among students. He also said that the purpose behind this is to make students aware of the importance of freedom with interest in mathematics. In the past, schools used to have daily lessons wherein students used to recite Math tables. However, that method was discontinued. In view of the intellectual development of the students, there is a need for reintroducing the concept, the Mayor said, adding the civic run schools should take initiative and start this system.
Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar lauded the organizers for the unique tribute to Ramanujan. This is a commendable activity that would boost students’ confidence in Mathematics. This is a good programme for the intellectual development of the students.
Earlier, Shivani Dani-Vakhre in her introductory speech said that collective reading has been done in 75 schools across the city. In 75 schools, competitions were held in two groups of Class V to VII and VIII to X. Devansh Selokar, a student of Class VII at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ajni, was awarded the ‘Master of Nagpur’ award in the first to fifth classes of the competition. Second place went to Bhavesh Ashtankar, a student of Class VI of Gayatri Convent and third spot was bagged by Atharva Kale, a student of Class VII of Shree Convent. Sujal Ghoghare, a Class X student of Tilak Vidyalaya from class VIII to X became the ‘Master of Nagpur’. What is special is that Sujal hails from Gadchiroli and lives in the hostel of Maitree Parivar. Om Chaudhary, a Class X student of Eastern Convent and Sakshi Punjabi, a Class IX student of Dayanand Vidyalaya came second and third respectively.
All the winners from both the groups were presented with awards at the hands of dignitaries. Rakshal Dhoke, Mona Bhandekar, Mandar Surkar, Kritika Lakhe were also felicitated on this occasion. The programme was conducted by Piyush Boinwar of Agresar Foundation. Dubey proposed a vote of thanks.
