I don’t know how many in Andhra Pradesh leave away in India know about the Mathematical Genius Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma? He was born blind.
I had the occasion to watch his programme sitting next to him. The audience could not find difficult questions (because they don’t know the answers in many cases!). He answered all questions with ease in seconds and was not happy that the audience could not field difficult and complicated questions like what is the day about 250 years back some month and date! Also the interest calculation of the old system(Prior to decimal system) is very difficult to calculate by present generation. He could do it in seconds.
At the end of an hour long performance he was profusely sweating.
It is a tragedy such a mathematical genius spent his last years in Stikalahasthi in utter poverty in an asbestos shed. Such is the honour we bestow on Geniuses. Neither the Government nor public (Philanthropists) supported him. Here is his inspiring story:
Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma
Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma (born: 27 November, 1907 - died: 1998) was an Indian mathematician from Andhra Pradesh. He was born Blind and gave many MathematicalAvadhanams (Ganitavadhanams) and surprised the elite and educated people.
He was born on 27 November 1907 at Kalluru village of Proddatur mandal in Cuddapah district. His parents are Lakkoju Pedda Pullaiah and Nagamma. He is born Blind person and had no formal education. He was married to Adilakshmamma at the age of 19 years.
He gave his first performance at Andhra Mahasabha at Nandyala in 1928 chaired by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was invited to New Delhi by Jawaharlal Nehru and performed before the President Rajendra Prasad and others dignitories. He traveled widely and gave about 7,000 performances in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. One of the memorable performances was given on December 7th 1966 at Sri Krishna Devaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam, Hyderabad. He has received many Gold medals, honors and felicitations. He has prepared Indian Calendar for 4000 years.
He was invited to United States in 1993 by the Telugu community. He could not attend due to Visa problem. Sri Venkateswara University honored him with Doctorate in 1996.
He spent his terminal phase of life at Srikalahasti. He was playing Violin every evening at Kalahasteswara temple and used to get some honourorium from the Devasthanam authorities.
Avadhanam
His parents are Lakkoju Pedda Pullaiah and Nagamma. He is born Blindness Blind person and had no formal education. He was married to Adilakshmamma at the age of 19 years. He gave his first performance at Andhra Mahasabha at Nandyala in 1928 chaired by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan . He was invited to New Delhi by Jawaharlal Nehru and performed before the President Rajendra Prasad and others dignitories. He traveled widely and gave about 7,000 performances in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. One of the memorable performances was given on December 7th 1966 at Sri Krishna Devaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam , Hyderabad. ref http www.mastanantapur.com lkss.htm Sri Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma at Mast Anantapur. ref He has received many Gold medals, honors and felicitations.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh, Nellore, India a different approach to grass-root planning:
- science is used deliberately as a tool for growth and selective changes;
- better utilisation of resources (including wastes);
- more and better distributed employment opportunities with less movement of people ;
- an integrated approach with flexibility of adjustment as per available resources ; and
- maintenance of ecological balances.
Human Resources – Traditional Knowledge and Methods – Great Assets to Developing Countries
Ideas float around in bewildering numbers, and scores of designs, ranging from windmills to the spinning wheel, are available ; papers are circulated stating the wonders of intermediate (not innovative) technology what could be done, why it should be done, what must be done, and how the rural countryside can be changed if intermediate technology is implemented. Experts are called from abroad to tell people this.
In all this talk, there seems to be no place for the ideas generated by farmers, rural artisans. A stand seems to have been taken that this transfer of technology for the socio-economic regeneration of the rural areas is a novelty for country-folk. But rural communities have survived for generations without any help in ideas and materials from outside. They have developed a low-cost technology of their own, suited to their own particular areas. It would be foolish to overlook and take for granted methods used by farmers and artisans. When a ploughshare develops trouble on the field, when a bullock cart breaks down on the road to market, when a house collapses in a storm, the villager uses materials available in the immediate vicinity to solve his problem. It is the scientist who must see these problems as challenges that must be met if there is to be development in rural areas. It is clear that the villagers and scientists will see the problems of the villages quite differently, and it will not always be true that the projects proposed by the scientists will be meaningful to the villages. If projects are imposed on the villagers, they are likely to be skeptical and may well resist rather than co-operate with the programme. Rural Development Schemes, in the broadest sense, requires first a good sociological approach, and as much psychology as scientific knowledge. After all ‘country means people and not soil’.
Problems – People – Solutions
Research, Development and Demonstration projects in developing countries have generated a variety of devices and systems for exploitation – for example, solar cookers, wind battery charges etc. In Innovation theory, this is a classic case of technology push, that is, technical solutions looking for a social application. Technology push innovations might of course be adopted if they happen to satisfy a real demand, or are heavily promoted. Success is much more likely, however if the needs, priorities and demands are studied before attempting to introduce a new technology or system. This is the demand pull approach to innovation.
Often identifying the right problem is difficult rather than finding a possible solution. People are better judges to identify the problems and since they benefit most by the solutions, they can contribute for finding the best solutions.
A novel and innovative scheme is suggested to achieve the above goal.
In developing countries the Government can advertise in the media seeking problems from the people in different disciplines like education, health, energy, industry etc. The problems received can be screened, studied and short-listed by a committee comprising government officials, experts, representatives from N.G.O’s etc. The short-listed problems can be re-advertised seeking solutions from people. The solutions received can be studied in detail and the best solutions given awards. To catch a fish the bait should be attractive enough. As such there should be sizeable incentive so that people can devote their talent and energies for finding solutions. As the saying goes ‘Anything can be done for a Dollar’. In this way the creative potential of the people can be tapped to the full and a thought process will be set in motion in the country. In India a general knowledge programme conducted by a Super Star on TV is a roaring success and children, youth and old-all alike have become addicted to get equipped with general knowledge so that they can try their luck for winning fabulous cash prizes.
The Author has developed Novel solutions and sustainable technologies for the benefits of bottoms billions like Everybody’s Solar Water Heater, Simple Solar Drier, Safe Drinking Water from Solar Disinfection,Energy Conservation in Irrigation pumpsets,Hand operated Battery charger, Multiple Uses of Gas Stove,Pedal operated Washing machine etc.,
Innovation, Invention and creativity are the pillars of progress of any Society / Nation. The greater the participation of people in the developmental activities, the quicker will be the progress. A new approach “Innovative Technology (IT)” deliberately involving people from all walks of life is the need of the hour in identifying the felt needs in the developing countries and finding solutions. Such a technology will contribute to Integrated Development (ID).
It is not the KNOW HOW but SHOW HOW will help the technology promotion and propagation quickly in developing countries.While Science is Universal,Technology is culture specific.
Anumakonda Jagadeesh is planning to institute a scholarship for the meritorious students in Mathematics at under-graduate level.
I had the occasion to watch his programme sitting next to him. The audience could not find difficult questions (because they don’t know the answers in many cases!). He answered all questions with ease in seconds and was not happy that the audience could not field difficult and complicated questions like what is the day about 250 years back some month and date! Also the interest calculation of the old system(Prior to decimal system) is very difficult to calculate by present generation. He could do it in seconds.
At the end of an hour long performance he was profusely sweating.
It is a tragedy such a mathematical genius spent his last years in Stikalahasthi in utter poverty in an asbestos shed. Such is the honour we bestow on Geniuses. Neither the Government nor public (Philanthropists) supported him. Here is his inspiring story:
Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma
Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma (born: 27 November, 1907 - died: 1998) was an Indian mathematician from Andhra Pradesh. He was born Blind and gave many MathematicalAvadhanams (Ganitavadhanams) and surprised the elite and educated people.
He was born on 27 November 1907 at Kalluru village of Proddatur mandal in Cuddapah district. His parents are Lakkoju Pedda Pullaiah and Nagamma. He is born Blind person and had no formal education. He was married to Adilakshmamma at the age of 19 years.
He gave his first performance at Andhra Mahasabha at Nandyala in 1928 chaired by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was invited to New Delhi by Jawaharlal Nehru and performed before the President Rajendra Prasad and others dignitories. He traveled widely and gave about 7,000 performances in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. One of the memorable performances was given on December 7th 1966 at Sri Krishna Devaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam, Hyderabad. He has received many Gold medals, honors and felicitations. He has prepared Indian Calendar for 4000 years.
He was invited to United States in 1993 by the Telugu community. He could not attend due to Visa problem. Sri Venkateswara University honored him with Doctorate in 1996.
He spent his terminal phase of life at Srikalahasti. He was playing Violin every evening at Kalahasteswara temple and used to get some honourorium from the Devasthanam authorities.
Avadhanam
His parents are Lakkoju Pedda Pullaiah and Nagamma. He is born Blindness Blind person and had no formal education. He was married to Adilakshmamma at the age of 19 years. He gave his first performance at Andhra Mahasabha at Nandyala in 1928 chaired by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan . He was invited to New Delhi by Jawaharlal Nehru and performed before the President Rajendra Prasad and others dignitories. He traveled widely and gave about 7,000 performances in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. One of the memorable performances was given on December 7th 1966 at Sri Krishna Devaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam , Hyderabad. ref http www.mastanantapur.com lkss.htm Sri Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma at Mast Anantapur. ref He has received many Gold medals, honors and felicitations.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh, Nellore, India a different approach to grass-root planning:
- science is used deliberately as a tool for growth and selective changes;
- better utilisation of resources (including wastes);
- more and better distributed employment opportunities with less movement of people ;
- an integrated approach with flexibility of adjustment as per available resources ; and
- maintenance of ecological balances.
Human Resources – Traditional Knowledge and Methods – Great Assets to Developing Countries
Ideas float around in bewildering numbers, and scores of designs, ranging from windmills to the spinning wheel, are available ; papers are circulated stating the wonders of intermediate (not innovative) technology what could be done, why it should be done, what must be done, and how the rural countryside can be changed if intermediate technology is implemented. Experts are called from abroad to tell people this.
In all this talk, there seems to be no place for the ideas generated by farmers, rural artisans. A stand seems to have been taken that this transfer of technology for the socio-economic regeneration of the rural areas is a novelty for country-folk. But rural communities have survived for generations without any help in ideas and materials from outside. They have developed a low-cost technology of their own, suited to their own particular areas. It would be foolish to overlook and take for granted methods used by farmers and artisans. When a ploughshare develops trouble on the field, when a bullock cart breaks down on the road to market, when a house collapses in a storm, the villager uses materials available in the immediate vicinity to solve his problem. It is the scientist who must see these problems as challenges that must be met if there is to be development in rural areas. It is clear that the villagers and scientists will see the problems of the villages quite differently, and it will not always be true that the projects proposed by the scientists will be meaningful to the villages. If projects are imposed on the villagers, they are likely to be skeptical and may well resist rather than co-operate with the programme. Rural Development Schemes, in the broadest sense, requires first a good sociological approach, and as much psychology as scientific knowledge. After all ‘country means people and not soil’.
Problems – People – Solutions
Research, Development and Demonstration projects in developing countries have generated a variety of devices and systems for exploitation – for example, solar cookers, wind battery charges etc. In Innovation theory, this is a classic case of technology push, that is, technical solutions looking for a social application. Technology push innovations might of course be adopted if they happen to satisfy a real demand, or are heavily promoted. Success is much more likely, however if the needs, priorities and demands are studied before attempting to introduce a new technology or system. This is the demand pull approach to innovation.
Often identifying the right problem is difficult rather than finding a possible solution. People are better judges to identify the problems and since they benefit most by the solutions, they can contribute for finding the best solutions.
A novel and innovative scheme is suggested to achieve the above goal.
In developing countries the Government can advertise in the media seeking problems from the people in different disciplines like education, health, energy, industry etc. The problems received can be screened, studied and short-listed by a committee comprising government officials, experts, representatives from N.G.O’s etc. The short-listed problems can be re-advertised seeking solutions from people. The solutions received can be studied in detail and the best solutions given awards. To catch a fish the bait should be attractive enough. As such there should be sizeable incentive so that people can devote their talent and energies for finding solutions. As the saying goes ‘Anything can be done for a Dollar’. In this way the creative potential of the people can be tapped to the full and a thought process will be set in motion in the country. In India a general knowledge programme conducted by a Super Star on TV is a roaring success and children, youth and old-all alike have become addicted to get equipped with general knowledge so that they can try their luck for winning fabulous cash prizes.
The Author has developed Novel solutions and sustainable technologies for the benefits of bottoms billions like Everybody’s Solar Water Heater, Simple Solar Drier, Safe Drinking Water from Solar Disinfection,Energy Conservation in Irrigation pumpsets,Hand operated Battery charger, Multiple Uses of Gas Stove,Pedal operated Washing machine etc.,
Innovation, Invention and creativity are the pillars of progress of any Society / Nation. The greater the participation of people in the developmental activities, the quicker will be the progress. A new approach “Innovative Technology (IT)” deliberately involving people from all walks of life is the need of the hour in identifying the felt needs in the developing countries and finding solutions. Such a technology will contribute to Integrated Development (ID).
It is not the KNOW HOW but SHOW HOW will help the technology promotion and propagation quickly in developing countries.While Science is Universal,Technology is culture specific.
Anumakonda Jagadeesh is planning to institute a scholarship for the meritorious students in Mathematics at under-graduate level.
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