New Delhi, May 12: India’s Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasized the need to move beyond a “one-dimensional perspective” regarding the history of mathematics and science. He advocated for an inclusive and democratic historical narrative that properly acknowledges India’s fundamental contributions in these fields.
During the inauguration of an exhibition focused on India’s contributions to mathematics, he cited the binary system developed in India during the third century, which underpins the digital age and artificial intelligence today.
“As we embark on our journey with AI, these truths will become clearer, where our understanding of the past will benefit from future tools,” he stated. “This exhibition serves as a reminder that mathematics is universal, and its expansion has led to significant advancements worldwide.”
He noted that the AI Impact Summit held in India in February conveyed a strong message that creativity and innovation should not be confined to a select few.
Dr. Jaishankar remarked, “Only by correcting past mistakes can we effectively address future challenges. This is significant for the UN, as a diverse and democratic group cannot be built on a singular narrative.”
He further stated, “We need to understand that for the democratization of technology, we must first democratize history.”
He pointed out that scientific progress has long been viewed through a narrow lens, limited by time and geography.
However, he added, “As geopolitical upheaval leads to political and economic realignment, it inevitably paves the way for cultural rebalancing, allowing for diverse narratives to emerge.”
The interactive exhibition, titled ‘Global Diffusion of Mathematics,’ was created under the SAMHITA program at the India International Centre to showcase India’s rich heritage. This heritage spans fields such as medicine, mathematics, architecture, philosophy, aesthetics, and literature.
A series of digital panels display India’s ancient mathematical prowess, ranging from basic binary numerical systems to algebra and calculus.
Dr. Jaishankar highlighted several mathematical landmarks, including the binary system rooted in Pingala’s third-century verse, the rhythmic patterns of ancient shlokas that were algorithmic in nature, the infinite series for pi, and the principles now known as the Pythagorean theorem.
He noted that the exhibition, located at the entrance for diplomats from the 193 UN member states, will help dispel existing biases and perceptions regarding technology adoption in today’s era.
India’s Permanent Representative, P. Harish, remarked, “This exhibition showcases the journey of fundamental concepts like zero, the decimal system, algebra, trigonometry, and infinity, which originated in India and spread to various cultures through knowledge centers like Baghdad and Toledo.”
He added, “India has always shared its knowledge with the world. In today’s terms, it has been an open-source philosophy since ancient times.”
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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