No varsity department in ancient subjects
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Hyderabad: Scholars on Ancient Indian Astronomy and Mathematics are rare to find. Except for two, Professor Vallabh and Dr D. Siddharth, no credible scholars are to be found in the city.
No university in the state has departments for ancient astronomy and mathematics. The reason for non-takers, are no job opportunities, no proper books nor teachers, though this profession is a national service, without rewards. Except for a few in the city it does not have scholars who can read ancient manuscripts or translate. Most of the existing books are meant for research.
Mr B.G Sidharth, director of B.M. Birla Science Centre said, “There is no money in this field, it has just become a national service with no rewards or recognition. Also in the entire country one can find only half a dozen scholars. There is no university that offers such courses. During an All India Astronomy and Mathematics seminar recently, there was a suggestion to have a separate department and there was a resolution but there was no progress.
Some of the famous scholars from India are Mr John Joseph of Kerala who authored a book titled The Crest Of The Peacock. The author meant just like the crest of the peacock is important so is ancient astronomy and mathematics. “There are no standard text books but just findings of scholars. One book written by Dr Sen Gupta 40 years ago is mostly referred. There are no job opportunities,” added the director.
“B.M. Birla Planetarium completed 30 years on September 9. To mark this we are organising a seminar. Some scholars from other states have been invited. The seminar will focus on the features of the subject which is disappearing,” Mr Ganga Prasad Birla of Ancient Astronomy and Mathematics said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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