Recent Developments in the Vedic Maths field after Mann ki Baat 22–23
In April 2022 I had the opportunity to discuss Vedic Mathematics with the Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji on National Television and Radio as part of the program called ‘Mann ki Baat’. “Mann Ki Baat” is a popular and influential radio program in India hosted by the Prime Minister. The term “Mann Ki Baat” translates to “Words from the Heart” or “Heart-to-Heart Talk.” The program serves as a platform for the Prime Minister to directly address the citizens of India and share his thoughts, ideas, and vision for the nation.
This was the first time that Vedic Maths was being featured in such a grand way in front of crores of people of India, who listen to the Mann ki Baat with bated breath every month. Needless to say, I was doubly excited because the efforts put into Vedic Mathematics had reached a validation point after over 22 years and more so it was a celebration for the entire Vedic Mathematics Community in India and overseas that finally, Vedic Maths gets it due credit and importance.
After Mann ki Baat in 2022, we received almost three days of Non-Stop Calls and traffic on our website gave us sleepless nights. We received so many blessings from our elders and senior members of our community that it was unbelievable. There were many featured and live interviews on All India Radio and the DD News of the Government of India. Social Media erupted too with so many positive tweets and YouTube videos on Vedic Mathematics. Finally, Vedic Maths was seeing its dawn and place in its own country of origin.
I am thankful to all my teachers, gurus, and mentors for making me see that day! I am thankful for the learnings given by Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Puri Swami Shri Bharti Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja through his epic monumental work ‘Vedic Mathematics’. I am thankful for the blessings and mentorship of the current Shankaracharya of Puri Swami Shri Nischalananda Saraswati Ji Maharaja and Shakuntala Devi — the acclaimed human-computer from Bangalore, India. I am thankful to several of my friends and seniors in the field like Shri Vishwanath Unkalkar and Shri Dhaval Bathia and many others.
Vedic Maths as you know saw a lot of growth in academic circles. Delhi University was quick to adopt it in a big way as a “value-added course” and it soon became the third most sought-after course in the University.
Prof.Niranjan Kumar, Dean of Academics at the DU was all praises for Vedic Mathematics and accepted that the subject had been neglected for a long time. He says “Not only decimal points but numerals have also existed in our country for a long time. Even the fraction system has been mentioned in the Rig Veda apart from several formulas that existed way before other theories came into practice. It is important for the current generation to know about these aspects as well. Vedic Maths helps in critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis for higher-order thinking. This can’t be achieved by a calculator or a computer.” Source: Times of India
The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued guidelines to higher education institutions(HEIs) in the country to teach Vedic Mathematics as a new short-term certificate course in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The UGC has advised Indian universities to begin teaching courses on Indian heritage and culture in a bid to attract more foreign students.
UGC chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said, “We definitely want more international students to come to India and study. In addition to contemporary India being founded on our ancient civilization because India is growing fast as a strong economy and Indians are doing well globally, there is a growing curiosity to know more about India.” Source: The Hindu
I personally feel that Vedic Mathematics is more useful for students in schools as they can learn and apply it in their academics with stunning results.
The Director of Education, Delhi has said that Delhi Government Schools should teach mathematics using the abacus and the Vedic Mathematics methods.
It is amazing to see that what I envisioned 20–22 years ago as a mission to see every child learning Vedic Maths is now seeing the light of day. Vedic Mathematics is getting popular and the day is not far away when every child on this planet will be learning the subject and becoming an ace in it. Seeing these achievements and developments at the higher levels of education in India makes me feel proud of the path taken to build the nation through the power of Vedic Mathematics. मोदी जी हैं तो मुमकिन है!
Also on the sacred occasion of the Jagganath Ratha Yatra 2023, let us come together to celebrate unity, diversity, and the spirit of togetherness. Let us seek the Lord’s blessings for harmony, peace, and prosperity in our lives and in our nation.
Wishing you a blessed Ratha Yatra filled with divine blessings and abundant love.
Thanking you,
Gaurav Tekriwal, President, Vedic Maths Forum India
