N Kailaiselvi Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Government of India and Director General of CSIR and Alexander Smith of Northwestern University at the award cermony
The subject of Mathematics unifies all science & technology disciplines in building solutions and services towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 according to N Kailaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Government of India and Director General of CSIR.
Kailaiselvi was speaking at an event held at SASTRA Deemed University campus in Kumbakonam where she presented the SASTRA-Ramanujan Award to Alexander Smith of Northwestern University, US. Smith was awarded for his contributions in the field of congruent number problems.
In her address, Kailaiselvi traced the legacy of Mathematics as a subject of study and explained how it’s getting more relevant with the advent of Quantum Computing.
She advised researchers to explore the use of Mathematics in cutting-edge multidisciplinary areas of science & technology.
The SASTRA Ramanujan Award is an annual prize given by SASTRA University (Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy) to brilliant mathematicians under 32 for exceptional work in areas influenced by Srinivasa Ramanujan. Out of the 20 SASTRA-Ramanujan Awardees in the past, seven have received the Fields Medal including Manjul Bhargava the first winner in 2005.
Alladi Krishnaswami, Professor of Mathematics, University of Florida, Jury Chair and S Vaidhyausbramaniam, Vice-Chancellor of SASTRA were also present at the event joined by researchers and scholars from different universities and research labs in India & abroad
Smith will deliver the Ramanujan Birthday Commemorative Lecture on December 22 at International Conference on Srinivasa Ramanujan conducted to be held at SASTRA Kumbakonam campus later this week.
Published on December 21, 2025