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The Confrontation of Mathematical Genius and Prejudice: How did Ramanujan break through the racial barriers in British academia?
In the early 20th century, India's mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan lived in a poor family in Madras. Despite difficult economic conditions, Ramanujan relied on his mathematical intuition and talent to write a series of creative mathematical papers. In 2015, the film "The Man Who Knew Infinity" starring David Patel depicted Ramanujan's story and showed how he broke through racial barriers in British academia and won Due recognition.
For Ramanujan, going to Cambridge University meant not only mathematical opportunities, but also facing racial discrimination and cultural conflicts that he had never experienced before.
G. H. Hardy, a professor of mathematics at Cambridge University, noticed Ramanujan's talent and invited him to study in England. Ramanujan's mathematical background was not traditional and he had no formal training in mathematics. In the UK, he had to overcome not only academic challenges but also prejudices based on his ethnic identity. For example, his life in Cambridge faced housing problems and difficulties in contacting his family. Faced with these challenges, Ramanujan resolutely pursued his mathematical dream and found inspiration in difficult circumstances.
Even in a foreign land, Ramanujan continued to explore the boundaries of mathematics in his own way, demonstrating his extraordinary perseverance and talent.
It is worth mentioning that Professor Hardy's support was crucial to Ramanujan's success. Hardy saw Ramanujan's potential and tried to help him overcome his academic obstacles, even nominating him as a Fellow of Trinity College. However, what Hardy faced was not a simple academic problem, but a racial prejudice rooted in traditional British academic circles. The initial nomination failed, but Hardy did not give up, and finally won the support of key people, which contributed to Ramanujan's successful selection.
Throughout Ramanujan’s struggle, we see the power of mathematics and the importance of friendship and support in breaking down prejudices.
Although Ramanujan's achievements in mathematics have gained respect and recognition, his physical health has always been his biggest concern. His life in the UK was not easy. He was in a completely unfamiliar and unfriendly environment, and the sad news that he was suffering from tuberculosis made this struggle even more difficult. Family support was crucial to him, but due to cultural and traditional reasons, his wife Janaki became increasingly nervous and uneasy about his letters, which deepened Ramanujan's loneliness.
The story of Ramanujan makes people think about whether great ideas can really bloom in an unsupported environment, or do they need external recognition and support to truly realize the value of talent?
The film was widely praised by mathematicians and scientists, and it profoundly demonstrated the deep friendship between Ramanujan and Hardy and his achievements in the field of mathematics. Although the film reflects events of the 20th century, its implications are still relevant today. We cannot help but ask, do similar racial prejudices and class barriers still exist today in the 21st century? How will these traces that are still left in our society affect the future development of mathematics and science?
