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Journalism of Courage
Nearly a thousand years after his death,Bhaskaracharya II 1114-1185,who is credited with finding the properties of zero,has come alive in Patnadevi village in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. His resurrection happened last year,courtesy the state forest department,which set up a memorial to honour the man who has often been called the greatest mathematician and astronomer of medieval India. But villagers say the recognition means little for the development of Patnadevi.
Bhaskaracharya is known for his significant contribution to mathematics and astronomy in the 12th century. His main work,Siddhanta Shiromani Sanskrit for crown of treatises,is divided into four partsLilavati,Bijaganita,Grahaganita and Goladhyaya. These four parts deal with arithmetic,algebra,mathematics of the planets,and spheres.
Though Bhaskaracharya was not born in Patnadevi,crucial evidence available with the Archaeological of Survey of India points out that he carried out his research in this village located in the Sahyadris.
This place has remained as it is for centuries, says Balkrushna Joshi,pujari of the Chandika Devi temple in the village. Right in front of the temple is a rectangular open space barricaded with iron rods. Bhaskaracharya is believed to have sat here in meditation for years. The open space is littered with empty water bottles,torn paper,glass pieces and broken bangles. This is how the government takes care of the sacred place, says Kamlesh Joshi,another pujari at the temple.
A few years ago,a part of Patnadevi village was made part of the Patnadevi forest reserve. This meant that Bhaskarachayas sacred space now falls under the forest reserve area adjoining Patnadevi village.
The villagers and even the visitors lament that Patnadevi village has not got its due. Patnadevi village finds mention in history textbooks,yet hardly anything has been done for it, says Dr Prakash Baviskar,vice-principal of a collage at Chalisgaon,16 km from Patnadevi village.
A number of foreigners visit the village every year,says Joshi. They come asking for the mathematicians village. Since road connectivity to Patnadevi is poor,the tourists have a tough time reaching here, says Joshi. He says the government hasnt done much to turn Patnadevi into a tourist centre. Who would not come to see a great mathematicians village? says Baviskar.
Joshi says the Chandika Devi temple trust receives only Rs 50 as government assistance annually. At least we ensure that nobody encroaches on Bhaskaracharyas sacred space. But we fear it wont be long before this sight disappears.
Patnadevi sarpanch Gorakh Nana doesnt mince words. What development? There is nothing here. Our village is a poor place. We dont even have enough toilets here. Our women have to defecate in the open, he says.
