Some Major Contributions of India To World Civilization by Debanshu Bhattacharya

(Author’s Note: It is my feeling that while the contributions of ancient cultures such as China and Egypt are well publicized in the press, contributions of India, by comparison, are not that well touted. This is an attempt to bring a few of India’s contributions to our children’s attention. I must confess, however, that I will not be able to provide exact references for these facts; they are taken from the Internet.)

Although India is now a poor and developing country, it was the richest country on earth until the beginning of the 17th century. India’s civilization is also one of the oldest in the world. It was centuries ahead in terms of progress compared to the rest of the world. While people were barbaric in Europe, India was building great monuments, discussing scientific theories and developing advanced philosophical thoughts. Here are but a very few of the great contributions made by India to world culture; to try to cover all the ideas will take too much space.

The first and, perhaps, the most significant contribution is in the area of mathematics. The concept of zero, so fundamental to every mathematical thought, was developed in India by Aryabhatta. The number system used today, commonly called the Arabic numerals, was actually developed in India. The idea went to Arabia and then the Romans took it to Europe; hence the name. This contribution is not a small matter. Imagine trying to write large numbers, use calculus or solve equations with Roman numerals and without the use of zero. Or for that matter, the computer may not have been possible without zero. The decimal system was also a direct development from the concept of zero. Furthermore, Brahmagupta (598-660 A.D.) was the first mathematician ever to use zero as a number and use it in mathematical operations. Bhaskaracharya (1114 A.D.) even developed the concept of infinity and the effect of division by zero. Algebra and Trigonometry were developed in India and there is even the thought that certain mathematical operations of Bhaskaracharya indicate the use of Calculus long, long before Newton or Leibnitz.

The second most significant contribution of India is in the area of medicine. Sushruta is the father of surgery. About 2600 years ago, he and other doctors of his time conducted complicated surgeries. The use of anesthesia was well known in ancient India, while patients were tied up and had to suffer in Europe. These operations required extensive knowledge of the human anatomy and physiology. The use of sophisticated drugs to treat ailments was also widespread in ancient India. Charaka, the father of medicine, developed the Ayurveda School of Medicine, which is now finally coming to be recognized by modern medicine.

Another important contribution of India is in the area of education. The first university in the world was built in Takshila in 700 B.C. ! More than 10,000 students attended and studied over 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda, built in the 4th century B.C. , was one of the most magnificent institutions that ever existed. It ran uninterrupted until the 13th century, that is for sixteen hundred years, until the Moghul invader Bakhtiar Khilji destroyed it.

These are but a few of the contributions of India. There are many more and perhaps in a future article, we will discuss further.

Werner Heisenberg, a German physicist, was trying to identify and understand the position and energy of a mysterious particle called the electron. After considerable research, this young physicist concluded that electrons are truly elusive. If one tries to pinpoint the position of an electron in an atom, its energy is not well understood. On the other hand, if one tries to measure the energy of the electron, its position cannot be well defined. This is called Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. Like Heisenberg, humans face the same dilemma with conceptualizing God. If one tries to define God in a simple “humanly” manner, it is easy to comprehend, but the true nature of the Divinity is lost.

Among the several great religions of the world, Christians understand God as the Father of Lord Jesus Christ. Muslims understand God as the "Master" of the Prophet Mohammed. Hindus know God as, well…that is the big question. Hindus search for God everywhere. They have written about God in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. For thousands of years, they tried to understand the true nature of God, which became difficult for many Hindus.

IProbably, the most remarkable sloka in the Bhagavad Gita that describes how a person can relate to God is in 18:46: “He from whom is the evolution of all beings, by whom all this is pervaded, worshipping Him with his own duty man attains perfection.” What this means to me is that the scientist Heisenberg through his devotion to scientific research, was worshipping God. This also tells me that by praying to God with a desire and not performing your own duty with devotion is not worshipping the God at all. God is like the oxygen in the air, an Entity present everywhere, but One whom we cannot see, and yet cannot live without.

BAGC’s very own budding scientist Debarshi Mustafi, continues in his winning spree. Debarshi, who has received numerous science awards in the last two years, lapped up an impressive array of distinguished awards this year with his Bio-chemistry project on antibiotic resistance. · On March 26-April 1, 2001, in the Chicago Science Fair at the Museum of Science and Industry, he won the first prize from both Motorola and BP Amoco, the two primary sponsors of the fair. · He also ranked first among the selected high school students in a one-day research symposium organized by Illinois Institute of Technology. · On May 4-5, 2001 he won the "Best in Category" award in the State Science Fair, organized by the Illinois Junior Academy of Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. · On May 6-12, 2001, representing the city of Chicago in the 2001 Intel International Science Fair at San Jose, California, Debarshi set a new standard by wining in all three categories – second prize in the Intel Grand Award, first prize in the special award, and first prize in the government award from the US Army. About 1200 high school students from over 40 countries participated in the fair. Debarshi’s prizes this year include a certificate, $1500 in cash, $3000 in college scholarships, $3,000 in US bonds, a plaque, and a gold medal, and his achievements have been documented in the Hyde Park Herald and the Chicago Sun-Times. Debarshi, presently a Junior in Kenwood Academy, resides in Hyde Park, Chicago with his parents Reba and Debkumar Mustafi. “It was when my father contracted pneumonia, that I thought of performing an experiment,” explained Debarshi. The experiment consisted of identifying enzymes that offer resistance to antibiotics and finding an inhibitor. Debarshi’s project “Kinetic Studies of Inhibition of B-Lactamases” demonstrated that a chemical blocker called benzo(b) thiophener Z-boronic acid helps antibiotics overcome resistance. When asked what classes he took that helped him learn about the methods of performing an documenting scientific experimentation, Debarshi credited his AP Biology for the good science base that it helped to develop. “ Read a lot of science books and journals. When you think you have a hypothesis for an experiment, just go right ahead and perform the experiment,” advises Mustafi to younger aspiring kids interested in the Biochemistry field. Despite his deep interest in bio-chemistry, Debarshi plans on pursuing his career in Engineering. Though he has not yet made up his mind as to which school to attend, he is exploring Stanford University in California, and Washington University in Missouri Apart from his interest in Science, Debarshi plays in his school’s Varsity Soccer team and is involved with community projects in the Hyde Park area. Debarshi is also an active youth in BAGC and has played roles in a number of plays. In the last Kali Puja, dressed impeccably in dhuti-panjabi, he impressed us with his skills as MC. As a youth member of the BAGC, Debarshi feels that the youth programs should be reconstructed so that kids will stay out of trouble and enjoy themselves during BAGC events.

Graduation:
Congratulations to the following BAGC youth who are graduating from high school this summer:
· Reshoma, d/o Bakul and Subrata Banerjee
· Leena, d/o Deepa and Debanshu Bhattacharya
· Justin, s/o Glenda and Sekhar Datta
· Prodeep, s/o Monisha and Jagat Datta
· Davedeep, s/o Manika and Dilip Dhar
· Shomik, s/o Munmun and Ronojoy Dutta
· Nikhil, s/o Sreeti and Prasanta Ghosh
· Prateek, s/o Kalyan and Rekha Maitra
· Arjun, s/o Rupa and Dibyen Majumdar
· Arpan, s/o Bhaswati and Anjan Roy
· Payel, d/o Bijoya and Amalendu Sengupta
· Debasish, s/o Dibakar and Kabita Sundi
We wish these young men and women success in all their future endeavors. (Apologies in advance, if any name has been omitted).
Doctorate Degree:
· It is our pleasure to announce that Arpita Das (Majumdar), wife of Atanu Das, of Skokie, Illinois, received the Doctorate Degree (PhD) from the Department of Bio-Science, University of Illinois (Chicago) in May-2001. Her thesis was related to "Alzheimer’s Disease". Arpita had the Honor of receiving the "Best Speaker Award" amongst the top five Universities (Northwestern, University of Chicago, Chicago Medical School, Loyola University and University of Illinois) in the Chicago area.
Engagement:
· Rajarshi, s/o Karabi and Biswanath Datta, will be engaged to Swati Shah on June 16.
Wedding:
· Som, s/o Samar and Amita Kundu married Roopal Vasi on June 2, 2001 · Nandini, d/o Hemendra Basu, weds Shyam Ponnappa Kambeyanda on July 14, 2001.
Annaprasan:
· Rohan, s/o Jayeeta and Indranil Mukherjee, will have his annaprasan on July 22, 2001.
Community Service:
· The BAGC is proud to announce that Mr. Santi Banerjee has been acclaimed for his relentless work in actively supporting a soup kitchen that serves the needy. He has been doing exemplary work for a number of years and has been acknowledged by the Director of Administrative Services and Community Relations of United Church of Rogers Park.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

President's Message
by Amitava Deb