Greatness drowned in obscurity

We see so many undeserving people, with mediocre talent, ruling the rooster of fame. On the other hand, there are so many people, endowed with so much talent and greatness, yet leading a life of obscurity.  One such person is Vashishth Narayan Singh. Surely you would have never heard of him, after all he is neither a part of page 3 nor is a Big Boss participant.

Well, believe it or not, he is one of the greatest Mathematician’s alive. When most of us are striving hard to get a visa for USA this man came back to India in 1972 to serve in academics. He is the one who actually challenged works of Great Scientist Albert Einstein. And that speaks of some serious brain prowess! Take a quick look at his life journey and contemplate a bit on the kind of world we live in today.

1961: Passed matriculation from Bihar Board
1961: Admitted to the prestigious Science College, Patna
1963: Went to University of California, Berkley to
study Mathematics under Prof. John L. Kelley
1963 – 1969: Pursued special MSc in Mathematics.
1969: Got PhD from University of California, Berkley, USA
1969: Joined NASA as an Associate Scientist Professor in Washington DC, USA
1969 – 1972: Remained in NASA
1972: Returned to India
1972: Joined as a Lecturer in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.
1972 – 1977: Joined as a lecturer in IIT Kanpur, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bombay and Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata.
1977: shows symptom of Mental illness, Schizophrenia, admitted to the mental hospital at Ranchi, then Bihar, now in Jharkhand.
1977 – 1988: under treatment.
1988- Left home without informing anyone.
1988 – 1992: There was no information about him.
1992- (Feb. Month): He was found in a poor condition in Siwan, Bihar. At present, staying in home, under treatment.
2013 – Lives in complete anonymity with none to care for him.

Can we learn to respect? Why do we always fail to respect true geniuses? He is neither a celebrity nor a Cricketer !! He is just a poor Ignored Indian Genius who challenged all western Mathematician’s.