Young minds not pursuing maths: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed concern that young minds with a natural ability for mathematics were not pursuing the disciple at an advanced level, resulting in a "decline in the quality of maths teachers at the school and college levels".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday expressed concern that young minds with a natural ability for mathematics were not pursuing the disciple at an advanced level, resulting in a "decline in the quality of maths teachers at the school and college levels".

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In his inaugural speech at a function to mark the 125th birth anniversary of eminent mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the Prime Minister said there was a "general perception that pursuit of maths does not lead to attractive career possibilities".

He declared 2012 as the National Mathematics Year and Dec 22, the day Ramanujan was born, as Mathematics Day.

"The mathematical community has the duty to find ways and means to address the shortage of top quality mathematicians in the country. It must reach out to the public, especially in the modern context where mathematics has tremendous influence on every kind of human endeavours," he said.