Professor PC Vaidya passes away - Shapur Junagadh District Gujarat

Noted mathematician and academician Professor PC Vaidya who is known as Maths magician passed away on 13th March - Friday. He was 93. He was the first PhD in mathematics from Gujarat. One of the global experts on Einstein's theory of relativity, he had delivered lectures all over the world on this subject. A powerful and thought-provoking speaker with a great sense of humor, his contribution to the world of mathematics has been immortalized as Vaidya Matrix', pioneered in 1942.

Born at Shapur Town in Junagadh District, Vaidya did his PhD in mathematics from Banaras Hindu University. The staunch Gandhian was GPSC chairman from 1971 to 1977 and UPSC chairman in 1977-78.

Between 1979 and 81 he was vice-chancellor of Gujarat University. Epitomizing the Gandhian philosophy simple living and high thinking on the day his VC's term got over he refused to use the official car, and preferred to ride his bicycle back home.

Prof Vaidya was also vice-chancellor of Gandhi Vidyapith, Vedchhi, in Surat. His autobiography book Chalk and Duster' was published in Gujarati.

Even after he retired, he returned to the university to teach mathematics to MSc students for many years. Today his legacy is global with his students making their marks in various countries. His 45-year-old Ganit' magazine, is still a hit among budding mathematicians.

He was detected with a kidney ailment in January. On Thursday, his condition deteriorated and he passed away at 5 am on Friday. He leaves behind four daughters. Three of his daughters conducted his funeral rites. The fourth daughter is abroad.

Junagadh City - Aditi Vachhani

Junagadh City girl turns pain into power, ranks sixth in state.

When doctors could not alleviate an unbearable ache in her right hand, Aditi Vachhani decided to turn her pain into power.

She started to practice writing with her left hand.

All year through, she practiced her answers this way.

On the day of the exam, she switched over to her right hand. The pain had subsisted but her indomitable spirit got her the sixth rank in the state with 622 marks and 95.69 per cent.

"I converted my pain into strength," said Aditi, as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. A student of Bhalodia High School, she wants to opt for science and become an engineer. She scored 100 per cent in her favorite subject mathematics. According to Aditi, her mother Jyoti, a teacher at Shapur High School, was her source of strength, while her father Ramesh, a Junagadh District Panchayat clerk, did his best to lessen her hardships.

"My parents took me to seven doctors one after the other, but to no avail. The pain was diagnosed as a muscular one, with no broken bones. Then, my school Principal Anjali Savalia came to my rescue," Aditi said.

"It was she who suggested that I practice with my left hand, thus giving rest to the right hand." The same power and courage will surely see her excel in class XII too, said Mohan Patel, president of Patel Kelvani Mandal, which runs the Bhalodia School.