Govt plans 'GANIT' celebrations to enhance mathematical skills

The government has decided to hold week-long 'GANIT' celebrations in schools, coinciding with Srinivasa Ramanujan's birth anniversary later this month.
The celebrations, starting December 16, would seek to infuse a spirit of innovation and aptitude towards the subject. The government move comes against the backdrop of studies highlighting poor learning outcome in classes especially in mathematics.
The 'Growing Aptitude for Numerical Innovation and Training (GANIT)' celebrations would see lectures on mathematics by eminent scientists and mathematicians, experience sharing on innovation by teachers and students, essay and quiz competition among others, communications on which have already been sent to the schools.

Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha last week, HRD Minister Smriti Irani had said the objective behind the idea was to infuse innovation in numeracy and mathematics and help increase scientific temper.
Several parliamentarians had expressed concern over the learning outcome in classes, citing various reports.
As per a circular issued by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, the week-long activities may also highlight the contributions of Bhaskaracharya II to mathematics and its modern day application.
Both Bhaskaracharya II and Ramanujan, whose birthday is celebrated on December 22, are considered great mathematical genius of their times.