SIR ASUTOSH MOOKERJE : MATHEMATICAL WIZARD

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Science India. Vol.18, No. 4, 2015
SIR ASUTOSH MOOKERJE : MATHEMATICAL WIZARD
N. C. Ghosh

People used to say Sir Asutosh Mookerjee was a renowned Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University or Chief Justice or Tiger of Bengal; but very few know him as a Mathematician. He was first President of Indian Science Conress Association established in the year 1914 and founder president of Calcutta Mathematical Society. Here attempt has taken to high light his contribution in the field of mathematics and his endevour to creat wide ranging temperment for developing mathematics education and culture of studying & research in mathematics India, especially in Calcutta.

INTRODUCTION
In the year 1885 Sir Asutosh took M.A. degree in Mathematics securing First class First position. In 1886 he was awarded Premchand Roychand Studentship in Mathematics and Science. Sir Asutosh was a versatile genius, but his main interest lay in the field of especially pure Mathematics. During 1880 to 1890, that is, during the years when he was preparing for and taking his B.A. and M.A. and other examinations he published nearly twenty original mathematical papers of high quality and merit. This is an accomplishment which has few parallels in the history of Mathematics. These papers were published in the 'Messenger of Mathematics', 'The Quarterly Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics' and the 'Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal'. When he was only a first year student of the Presidency College, Sir Asutosh published his first paper in which he gave an elegant new proof of the 25th proposition of the first book of Euclid. While still an undergraduate student, he published his second paper in which he gave some extensions of theorem enunciated by Salmon and when a student of the fifth year class he wrote his third papers 'A note on elliptic functions' which was of outstanding merit. In this paper he established a certain addition theorem in the theory of elliptic functions by a new method based on the properties of the ellipse. With regard to this paper Prof. Cayley observed that it was remarkable how a real result was obtained considering an imaginary point. This paper has been referred to in Enneper's "ElliptischeFunktionen". Immediately after taking his M.A. degree he published a paper "On the differential equation of a trajectory". In this paper he considered the solution given by the Italian mathematician Mainardi of the differential equation of oblique trajectory of confocal ellipses. This solution was so complicated and inelegant that it was impossible for any one to trace the curve from it. Asutosh showed by an ingenious process that Mainardi's solution could be replaced by a pair of remarkable simple equation which admitted an interesting geometrical interpretation. These equations have been quoted by Prof. Forsyth in his book on Differential Equations in later editions. This paper on a particular trajectory led him to publish another paper on general trajectory which showed his power of generalization and elegant expression.

HONOURED BY MATHEMATICAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE GLOBE
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Astronomical Society, member of the Royal Irish Academy, Mathematical Societies of London. Edinborgh, Paris, Palermo and New York.
Sir Asutosh had no guidance in his research work; there was no one in India in the eighties of nineteenth century who could be worthy of being his guide.
During the 1887-1889 Asutosh took up, in a series of three papers, the study differential equation for the general conic which was obtained by the French mathematician Monge. Boole had stated in his book on differential equations that the differential equation of Monge has not been geometrically interpreted. Sir Asutosh undertook to obtain the true geometrical interpretation and criticized the interpretations given by Professor Sylvester and Lt. Colonel Cunningham which were respectively the following :
" The differential equation of a conic is satisfied at the sextactie points of any given curve" and "That the eccentricity of the osculating conic of a given conic is constant all round the latter"
Sir Asutosh devoted more time to this problem then was necessary, considering the fact that its solution was even then a matter of no great importance and now of interest as a mere curiosity. Sir Asutosh published altogether four papers on Monge's differential equation and gave as the true geometrical interpretation the following :
"The radius of curvature of the aberrancy curve (discussed by Transon) vanishes at every point of every conic."
His interpretation was accepted on all hands. This interpretation has been quoted by Edwards in his book on Differential Calculus. From Cambridge in a letter to Asutosh Cayley remarked about Asutosh's criticism of Sylvester's interpretation remarked that "it is of course all perfectly right". Cnningham wrote "Professor Asutosh Mookerjee has proposed a really excellent mode of geometric interpretation of differential equations in general, viz., writing the equation in the form F = 0, the geometric meaning of the symbol F considered as a magnitude (angle, length, area etc.) in any curve whatever (wherein F is of course not zero) is, if possible, to be formed; then the geometric meaning of that equation obviously is that the quantity F vanishes right round every curve of the family represented by the differential equation. This is the most direct geometric interpretation yet proposed." (Nature. Vol. 38, p. 318-19.) Among the other publications of Sir Asutosh may be mentioned two papers on isogonal trajectories, two papers on Hydrodynamics, a paper on an integral of Possion and a paper on the determination of certain mean values by means of elliptic functions. Sir Asutosh's contributions to mathematical knowledge were due to his unaided efforts while he was only a college student.

INDIAN LEGENDARY AFTER BHASKARA
After Bhaskara, he was the first Indian to enter into the field of mathematical research as distinguished from astronomical research, and did much which was truly original.

CALCUTTA MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY
Sir Asutosh brought into existence the Calcutta Mathematical Society for encouragement and promotion of mathematical researches and developed it under his fostering care. He guided CMS as president from its inception till his death
Under his initiative quite a good number of eminent foreign mathematicians were made honorary members of the Society. Like Albert Einstein, Lavy, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Abdus Salam many internationally known mathematicians were among the Honoury Members of Calcutta Mathematical Society. Presently Honourary Members are Oldrice Kowalski, David E. Blair, P.K. Jain, J.G. Chakraborty, N. Sarker.
Not a few of the members of the Society, ordinary and honorary, presented mathematical books to the library of the Society, and monetary donations were received from benovolent persons from time to time. A large number of mathematical journals from all parts of the world were received on exchange basis with the Bulletin. In 1909 Prof. Ganesh Prasad, in 1913 Prof, A. R. Forsyth and in 1915 Prof. W. H. Young delivered addresses on their researches before the Society. Under Sir Asutosh's personal initiative, encouragement and inspiration, research workers, some of them very brilliant, began to gather round him whose contributions were published in the pages of the Bulletin. Papers were read at the Society for the first time by Profs. C. E. Cullis, Ganesh Prasad, S. D. Mookerjee, P. L. Ganguli and S. C. Bagchi in 1909, A. C. Bose and M. N. Roy in 1910, L. Narayan and J. C. Narayan in 1912, J. M. Bose in 1913, B. B. Datta in 1914, Sir C. V. Raman, M. N. Saha, N. K. Majumdar and S. K. Banerjee in 1915, S. N. Bose, and N. M. Basu in 1916, D. N. Mallik, N. R. Sen, S. M. Ganguli H. P. Banerjee, S. C. Dhar and H. N. Datta in 1917, Sir B. N. Seal, S. C. Kar, B. N. Pal and P. C. Sen Gupta in 1918, S. K. Mitra., B. M. Sen, A. B. Datta and N. N. Sen in 1919, N. N. Ghosh and J. Ghosh in 1920, B. B. Roy, G. Bhar, O. Upadhyay, Hanumanta Rao and S. C. Mitra in 1922, M. Ghosh and B. B. Sen in 1923.
Sir Asutosh retired from the post of High Court Judge in 1923 and he died at Patna on May 25, 1924. His dead body was brought to Calcutta, the place of his activities, for cremation. Innumerable meetings were held to condole his death. Excerpts from the printings of two of the distinguished persons who paid their homages to the departed soul may be quoted here. Poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote "Men are always rare in all countries through whom the aspiration of their people can hope to find its fulfillment, which has the thundering voice to say that what is needed shall be done; Asutosh had the magic voice of assurance. He had the courage to dream because he had the power to fight and the confidence to win,—his will itself was the path to the goal," Sir Michael Sadler, who was the Chairman of the Calcutta University Commission (1917-19) of which Sir Asutosh was a member wrote : "In Sir Asutosh Mookerjee India has lost one of her greatest men, the world one of its commanding personalities. He was mighty in battle. He could have ruled an empire. But he gave the best of his powers to Education because he belived that in Education rightly interpreted lies the secret of human welfare and the key to every empire's moral strength." Tribute paid by C.V. Raman : "It is really a matter of astonishment that it has been at all possible to bring together such a body of scholars and workers, to reconcile as many conflicting aims, ideas and interests, to advance the cause of highest studies and researches in so many different and diverse departments. It was possible in Calcutta – not anywhere else in India – mainly because there was here such a colossal brain – so great an intellectual giant at the head of the immense and expanding organisation – Sir Asutosh Mookerjee."
In the year 1917 Raman was invited by Asutosh Mookerjee, to be a professor in the newly established Science College. On being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University Asutosh Mookerjee not only started a post-graduate department for various disciplines of science but he also persuaded people to create endowment Professorships. Raman was offered the Palit Professorship in Physics. Raman happily accepted the offer. He joined the Calcutta University as Palit Professor in July 1917. That Asutosh Mookerjee was touched by Raman's total devotion to science is obvious from his following remarks: "For the Chair of Physics created by Sir Taraknath Palit, we have been fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr. Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, who has greatly distinguished himself and acquired a European fame by his brilliant research in the domain of Physical Science, assiduously carried on under the most adverse circumstances amidst the distraction of pressing official duties. I rejoice to think that many of these valuable researches have been carried on in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, founded by our late illustrious colleague, Dr. Mahandra Lal Sircar, who devoted a lifetime to the foundation of an institution for the cultivation and advancement of science in this country. I should fail in my duty if I were to restrain myself in my expression of genuine admiration I feel for the courage and spirit of self-sacrifice with which Mr. Raman had decided to exchange a lucrative official appointment with attractive prospects, for a University Professorship, which, I regret to say, does not carry even liberal emoluments. This one instance encourages me to entertain the hope that there will be no lack of seeker after truth in the Temple of Knowledge which it is our ambition to erect." Asutosh Mookerjee had to change the provision of the endowment before appointing Raman, because one of the requirements, for appointment to the Palit Chair was to have been trained abroad. Raman refused to go abroad to be 'trained'. The terms of Raman's appointment as the Palit Professor did not entail any teaching responsibilities. His duties were :
to devote himself to original research in his subject to extend the bounds of knowledge
to stimulate and guide research by students; and
to supervise the laboratory in the College of Science.
C.V. Raman wrote : It is really a matter of astonishment that it has been at all possible to bring together such a body of scholars and workers, to reconcile as many conflicting aims, ideals and interests, to avance the cause of highest studies and researches in so many different and diverse departments. It was possible in Calcutta – not anywhere else in India – mainly because there was here such a colossal brain – so great an intellectual giant at the head of the immense and expanding organisation – Sir Asutosh Mookerjee. Else where,s C.V. Raman wrote : Bengal in gining distinguished judge and a great vice-chancellor lost in him a still great mathematician.

MATHEMATICAL PAPERS BY SIR ASUTOSH MOOKERJE

1. E 1.Proof of Euclid I, 25, —Messenger of Mathematics, Vol. X (1880-81), pp. 122- 123.
2. Extension of a Theorem of Salmon's, —Messenger of Mathematics, Vol. 13 (1883-84), pp. 157-160.
3. A note on elliptic functions,—Quart. Jour. of Pure and Appld.Maths., Vol. 21 (1886), pp. 212-217.
4. On the Differential Equation of a Trajectory,—Jour. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 56, Pt. II, No. 1(1887), pp 117-120.
5. On Monge's Differential Equation to all Conics,—Jour. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 56, Pt. II. No. 2 (1887), pp 134-145.
6. A Memoir on Plane Analytical Geometry,—Journ. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 56, Pt, II. No. 3 (1887), pp 288-349.
7. A General Theorem on the Differential Equations of Trajectories,—Journ. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 57, Pt. II, No.1 (1888), pp 72-99.
8. On Poisson's integral,—Jour. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 57, Pt. II. No. 1 (1888), pp. 100-106.
9. On the Differential Equation of all Parabolas,—Jour. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 57, Pt. II, No. 4(1888), pp 316-332.
10. Remarks on Monge's Differential Equation to all Conics,—Proc. Asiatic Soc. Beng., February 1888.
11. The Geometric Interpretation of Monge's differential equation to all conics, —Jour. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 58, Pt. II, No. 2 (1889), pp. 181-185.
12. Some Applications of Elliptic Functions to Problems of Mean Values, First and Second Papers.—Jour. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 58, Pt. II, No. 2(1889), pp. 199-213, 213-231.
13. On Clebsch's Transformation of the Hydrokinetic Equations,—Journ. Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 59, Pt. II No. 1 (1890), Pp 56-59.
14. Note on Stoke's Theorem and Hydrokinetic Circulation,—Jour Asiatic Soc. Beng., Vol. 59, Pt. II No. 1 (1890). PP. 59-61.
15. On a Curve of Aberrancy,—Jour, Asiatic Soc. Beng. Vol. 59.Pt. II No. 1 (1890), pp. 61-63.
16. Mathematical Notes (Question and Solutions).—Educational Times, Lond. Vol. 43 (pp. 38, 302, 341, 528), (1890).
17. Mathematical Notes (Question and Solutions).—Educational Times, Lond.Vol. 44 (pp.238), (1891).
18. Mathematical Notes (Question and Solutions).—Educational Times, Lond.Vol. 45 (pp. 170, 305, 448, 532), (1892).
19. Solutions of Some Old Questions. —Educational Times, Lond. Vol. 43 (pp. 125-151), (1891).
20. Solutions of Some Old Questions. —Educational Times, Vol. 44 (pp. I44-182), (1892).
21. 20. Solutions of Some Old Questions. —Educational Times, Vol. 45 (pp. 146-168), (1893).
22. An Elementary Treatise on Geometry of Conics (Book), 1893.
23.Application of Gauss's Theory of Curvature to the evolution of Double Integrals. JASB : Proceedings of Asiatic Society of Bengal. No. 23-27 referred by Mr. A.C. Bose in the Calcutta Review, Vol. 12 without reference.

EARLY HISTORY OF CMS
About 1883 A.D. young Asutosh Mookerjee with a few graduates of the Calcutta University attempted to start a Mathematical Society to foster advanced study and research. in Mathematics in India. Time was, however, not ripe and the first attempt ended in failure due to want of public support. Nearly twenty five years later, the in energy and the untiring endeavours of Sir Asutosh MUkhopadhyay coupled with the wholehearted support of Sir Gurudas Bandyopadhyay led to the ekablishment of a Mathematical Society in Calcutta in 1908. Calcutta was then the metropolis of India and following the founders of the older and illustrious institution, the London Mathematical Society: they named it the Calcutta Mathematical Society. Among the founder members there were eminent personalities coming from different fields shows the interest that mathematics generated among learned people at that time and the rematkable organising capacity of Sir Asutosh. It was intended to serve and has always served the mathematical interests of the whole of India and abroad. Many members of the Society came from small towns of India like Meerut and some even came from Rangoon(Yongon). First lady member was Mrs. Snehalate Maitra was elected on 17th March 1909. The first volume of the Bulletin contains a translation of an article of Emile Borel on 'The Method of Poincare on a certain cubic surface called Mobius Surface', which appeared in 'La Revue du Meis', March 10, 1909. The article was translated by Prof. C.E. Cullis. Henri Poincare was a French mathematician, theoretical phuysicist, engineer and philosopher of science. He is often described as a plymath, and in Mathematics as the "The Last Universalist", since he excelled in all fields of the discipline as it existed during his lifetime. The first volume also contained article like 'The Future of Mathematica' by Poincare himself. It was translated by H. de Shadow Peter. Other remarkable papers were : 'New Methods in Geometry in Plane Arc, I' by Syama Das Mukhopadhyaya; 'On a Non-analytical Potential Function' by Ganesh Prasad etc. along with the summaries of Principle Mathematical Journals viz. Mathematische Annalen, Journal de Mathematiques (Lionville's Journaal), Reviews, News and Notes etc. Illustrious names such as Professors C. E. Cullis; Shyamadas Mukhopadhya, W. H. Young, Sir B. N. Seal, Ganesh Prasad, Sir C. V. Raman and Dr. D. N. Mallik figured in the list of the early contributors of the Society's Bulletin which was started in 1909. Besides, young workers like Professors M. N. Saha, S. N. Bose, N. R. Sen, S. K. Banerji, N. M. Basu, S. Dhar, P. C. Vaidaya, H.C. Khare, G. S. Rao, L. Debnath and others helped time to time to maintain the standard of publication of the journal. The Society was soon able to establish exchange relations with the principal learned Societies of the world, dealing with Mathematics, Astronomy and Theoretical Physics. It has reciprocity relations with many leading Mathematical Societies of the world. When Calcutta Mathematical Society started it could manage a room in the Calcutta University Rajabazar campus and were there for a long time. Later State Government allotted a plot at Saltlake and now it has its own building with library, seminar halls, offices at Asutosh Bhavan, AE-374, Sector-I, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700064, West Bengal, India. CMS is organising national and international seminars, workshops, symposiums etc. every year. Its journals viz. Bulletine Calcutta Mathematical Society, Review Bulletine Calcutta Mathematical Society, News Bulletine Calcutta Mathematical Society etc earn reputation in the globe fulfilling dream of Asutosh Mookerjee. List of office bearer since its inception are the teliscopic view of its glorious past with future promise.
Office Bearers (from 1909 to 2014) :

If one goes through the list of office bearers since inception of Calcutta Mathematical Society fore sight Asotush Mookerjee will be revealed.
Presidents :
Asutosh Mookherjee—Since Foundation in (1909 - 1923), Ganesh Prasad (1924 - 1935) Syamadas Mukherjee (1936 - 1937), B. M. Sen (1938 - 1939), F. W. Levi (1940 -1942), N. R. Sen (1943 - 1945), N. M. Basu (1946 - 1947), A. C. Banerjee (1948 - 1949), M. R. Siddiqui (1950), H. Bagchi-1951-1952), S. K. Banerjee (1953 -1955), S. Ghosh (1956), V. V. Narlikar (1957), S. N. Bose(1958 - 1960), Ram Bihari (1961-1962), R. N. Sen (1963 - 1965), B. B. Sen (1966 - 1967), B. R. Seth (1968 - 1969), S. K. Chakraborty (1970 -1971), P. L. Bhatnagar (1972 -1973), N. L. Ghosh (1974), J. N. Kapur(1975), P. K. Ghosh (1976), R. S. Mishra (1977), D. N. Mitra (1978), N. D. Sengupta (1979), S. Datta Majumdar(1980), M. C. Chaki (1981), P. C. Vaidya(1982), B. R. Bhonsle (1983 ), M. Dutta (1984 - 1986), L. Debnath (1987 - 1989), D. K. Sinha (1990 – 1993), M. Dutta (1994 – 17.11.1996), K.R. Unni (1996 – 1997), B.K. Lahiri (1997 – 2000), P.P. Chatterjee (2000 – 2003), S. N. Ghosh ( 2003 – 2006), K. Ramchandra (2006 – 2009), B.K. Lahiri (2009 – 2010), B. K. Dutta (2010 – 2012), R. Roychoudhury (2012 - )
Secretaries :
Phanindralal Ganguly (1909-1912), Ginesh Prasad (1913 - 1916), Syamadas Mukherjee (1917 -1918), S. K. Banerjee (1919 - 1921), A. B. Dutta (1922 - 1923), B. B. Dutta (1924 - 1925), N. N. Sen (1926 - 1932), B. N. Pal (1933 - 1935), S. K. Chakrabolty (1936 - 1945), U. R. Burman (1946 - 1956 and 1962 - 1963), T. C. Roy (1957 - 1958), P. P. Chatterjee (1959 - 1962), A. Gupta (1963 - 1968), J. G. Chakraborty (1969 - 1972), M. R. Gupta (1972), M. Dutta (197 3- 1983), U. Basu (1984 - 1987), B.N. Mandol (1988 – 1994), R.N. Sen (1994 – 1997), M.R. Adhikary (1997 – 2009), U.C. Dey (2009 – 2012), S. Sen (2012-
Treasurers : A. C. Bose (1909 - 1925), B. B. Dutta (1926 - 1929), H. P. Banerjee (1930 - 1935), S. C. Ghosh (1936 - 1937 and 1943 - 1967), N. C. Ray (1938 - 1942) S. C. Dasgupta (1968 - 1972), S. K. Chatterjea (1973 - 1983) B. K. Datta (1984 - 87), B. C. Chakraborty (1988- 1989), U. Basu (1989 - 2000),U. C. De (2000 - 2009), Tapasendra Basu (2009 - 2012), Balai Chaki (2012- ).
Founder Vice President - Sir Gurudas Banerjee, the first Indian Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CALCUTTA MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY WHEN IT WAS STARTED
To encourage and promote Mathematical Study and Research, To improve Mathematical Studies, To write, compile and publish journals, books, and reports in Mathematical Sciences, To assist, subscribe to or cooperate with any other Society, having objectives similar to the Society, To establish a forum for the research workers and teachers of Mathematics for exchange of ideas through regular periodic meetings, To maintain a Library with books and journals to cater the needs of teachers and research workers, To publish research works of mathematicians of India and abroad, To invite outstanding scholars to deliver memoir and special lectures on their own contributions, and review of modern topics,
To organise Seminars/Symposia/Workshops on different fields of Pure and Applied Mathematics, to hold periodically meetings and disoussion towards the improvement of mathematics teaching and subjects of popular interest independently or jointly with similar institutions.

PERFORMANCE FROM THE TENURE OF ASUTOSH MUKHERJEE
The first meeting of the Calcutta Mathematical Society was held in the Senate House, Calcutta The first meeting of the Calcutta Mathematical Society was held in the Senate House, Calcutta University in 1908 under the Chairmanship of Sir Asutosh Mookerjee. In that meeting 5 members were elected. Fifty-five presents of books were announced in the meeting for the Library. Five research papers were presented and read in the meeting and were accepted for publication in the Bulletin of the Society. Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh, Mr. R. N. Mookerjee, Mr. Mahindra. Nath Roy each contributed rupees two hundred and fifty to the General Fund of the Society in the meeting.
In this way the march of progress of the Calcutta Mathematical Society started. In course of these long 106 years of its existence, the Society has developed definitly to be a National, rather to say an International organisation.
Researchers of different provinces of India are eagerly enrolling themselves as members of the Society. The Society has opened a branch office in U.S.A.
Teachers and Research workers of foreign advdinced countries, viz. America, Germany, Canada, Australia, West Indies, etc. have become. Life or Reciprocity membersbers of the Society with number of such Scocities in abroad.
Under the umbrella of Calcutta Mathematical Society S.N. Bose School of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences and N.R. Sen for Pedagogical and Profession Mathematics were been formed to implement the theme of Asutosh Mukherjee following demand of present society. CMS also conducted computer letaracy program for a long period when computer traing was not easily available.

PUBLICATIONS OF JOURNALS
The Calcutta Mathematical Society published all its four internationally recognized series of journals namely, i) Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society, ii) Journal of the Calcutta Mathematical Society iii) Review Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society and iv) News Bulletin of Calcutta Mathematical Society in time.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Calcutta Mathematical Society has exchange relation of its publication 'Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society' with the publication of many Mathematical Scieties through out the globe. The Society has relation of co-sponsoring with Candian Mathematical Society and Australian Mathematical Socirty. The Society has reciprocity arrangement with the American Mathematical Society, under which a member of any one of the Societies may be a member of the other socities on payment of half of the subscription. It has also a similar relation with the Cambrigge Philosophical Society. The Society has fedaral relation with International Institute of Theoretical Physics – Italy.

LIBRARY OF THE CMS
The Library of the Society which started under the initiative of Asutosh Mookerjee with only 50 books in the year 1908 has now total number of books is 7177 and total number of bound volumes of journals is 11186 which are very useful for research workers, educators in Higher Mathematics. Reprographic and net searching facilities had also been extended to them. Over the years, the library of the Society has attained the distinction of being one of the richest libraries in the country, particularly in the field of Mathematics. The library has been enriched with personal collections Prof. N. R. Sen, Prof. S. Gupta , Prof. N.M. Bose, Prof. S. K. Mitra, Prof. R. N. Sen, Prof. B. C. Chatterjee, Prof. S. K. chakraborty, Prof. Bina Sen, Prof. P. K. Ghosh, Prof. A. C. Chowdhury, Prof. S. C. Dasgupta, Prof. P. P. Chatterjee, Prof. N. D. Sengupta after their demise. The Library is also very helpful to brooming students. Presently it has an e-journal section. The Society boosts the collection through the Exchange Relation it has with numerous Universities, Institutions and Learned Societies all over


One reading table of CMS Library
the world.
The library also maintains a collection of manuscripts, letters and valuable papers of eminent scientists and mathematicians of India and abroad. Uncountably many research scholars, teachers and students of mathematics and mathematical sciences from India and abroad have used the library for different scholarly purpose. We hope the library will continue serving the mathematics community in future.
Over the years, the library of the Society has attained the distinction of being one of the richest libraries in the country particularly in the field of Mathematics. Library has now more than 20,000 volumes of books and journals altogether. The Society has exchange relation with different Universities, Institutions and learned Societies all over the world under "Journal exchange programme". Society now receives 120 foreign journals from USA, UK, Japan, China, Korea, Yugoslavia, France, Australia, Germany, Spain, Czechoslovia, Italy, Poland, Canada, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungery, Malaysia, Finland, Egypt, Denmark and 25 Indian journals from different states of India. Library also maintains manuscripts and letters of Professor S. N. Bose, Life History of Professor Bibhuti Bhusan Dutta (Later known Swami Vidyaranya). Several valuable papers of the eminent scientists like Meghnad Saha, C. V. Raman, S. Chandrasekhar, S. N. Bose, Ganesh Prasad and many others had been published in the Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society.
National Board for Higher Mathematics extended its support giving fund and or complimentary copies of books in the CMS's library.
Many research scholars, teachers and students of mathematics and mathematical sciences from India and abroad using the library regularly. Reprographic and net searching facilities have also been extended to them.

CMS'S PROGRAM IN MEMORY OF S. CHANDRASEKHAR, ABDUS SALAM, GOTTFRIED Wilhelm von LEIBNIZ AND RENÉ Descartes
In the year 1996 author submitted a proposal in a Council Meeting of Calcutta Mathematical Society for organising an International Symposium on Mathematical Physics in memory of S. Chandrasekhar. Council approved said proposal and the proposer was assigned the responsibility of Director of the International Symposium on behalf of S.N. Bose School of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences. Budget of noted programmed is highest for any programme organised by Calcutta Mathematical Society till date. The symposium was held on 29th December 1997- 1st January 1998. At the time of organising noted symposium Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam died. Both Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Abdus Salam were the honoury members of Calcutta Mathematical Society. Council of CMS requested Director of the symposium to do the needful for memorising Abdus Salam in a befitting manner. Name of the proposed symposium changed to 'International Symposium on Mathematical Physics in memory of S. Chandrasekhar with a special session on Abdus Salam'. Many of national and international journals published conference news. So world-wide responses had enthuses all concern. Noted programme was the first symposium of its kind on Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and till date it is unique on 'Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Abdus Salam' through out the globe. Author along with Sarmistha Biswas prepared a paper entitled "Chandrasekhar's Truth and Beauty in reference to Einstein and Heisenberg". CMS took about two years for organising noted symposium. Few months before of said symposium Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore published a special issue of Current Science, a journal of it, on Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. That was a worthy volume. Conference proceeding was published later by Calcutta Mathematical Society. Besides noted international symposium the author was convenor of National Seminars on Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz to comumorate his 350 th birth annivarsary and René Descartes to comumorate his 400 th birth annivarsary was held at Calcutta Mathematical Society where not only mathematicians were participated; many scolars in the field of philosophy were there.

MEMORIAL LECTURE
Calcutta Mathematical Society organising memorial lectures each year. These are N.R. Sen Memorial Lecture, C.E. Cullis Memorial Lecture, S.N. Bose Memorial Lecture, Suddhodan Ghosh Memorial Lecture, A. B. Dutta Memorial Lecture, J. C. Saha Memorial Lecture, K. L. Saha Memorial Lecture, Suddhodan Ghosh Memorial Lecture and Golden Jubilee Commemoration Lecture apart from different special lectures. In those programme L.J. Mordell (Cambridge University), Nobert Weiner (USA), S. Sobolov (USSR), L. Debnath (USA), K. Chandrasekharan, A.K. Mustafy, D.S. Kothari, P.L. Bhatnagar, N.L. Ghosh, S.K. Mitra, N.D. Sengupta, G. Bandyopadhyay, L. Debnath, A. Ghosh, B. R. Seth, B. Sen, T. Roy, A.K. Roychaudhuri, S. Dutta Majumder, G. Deb Roy, Kum sen, K.M. Ghosh, Dilip Sen, N.N. Ghosh, A. Ramkrishnan, A. Maitra, K.R. Unni, M.G. Nadkarni, K.R. Parthasarathy, N.V. Subramanyan, H. Subramanium, J. Gopal Krishnan, B.K. Tamuli., P.K. Ghosh, R.C. Bose, J.N. Kapur, Ranan B. Banerjee, Amiya K Bagchi, J.K. Ghosh, A.K. Chaudhury, J. Das, B.R.K. Kashyap, Amitava K. Bagchi, R.J. Pandey, S. Panchev (Bulgeria), L.N. Pearson (Germany), A. Anderson (UK), Karmeshu were among the Speakers.

PEDAGOGIC SYMPOSIA
Number of symposia on pedagogic and professional mathematics were been organised in the baner of Calcutta Mathematical Society or N.R. Sen Center for Pedagogic & Professional Mathematics. Some of those symposia were 'Symposium on Teaching Mathematics in School' on 28 – 30th March, 1960, 'Symposium on Teaching of Fluid Mechanics in Post-Graduate and Research levels' on 23rd September, 1960, 'Convention on Training and Research in Applied Mathematics' on 1st February 1975, 'Symposium on Teaching Mathematics in under-Graduate Colleges' on 24-26 March, 1984 whose convener was Sailesh Mukherjee, 'Seminar on Mathematics Teaching Theory and Methodology' 6-7th September 1996 whose convener was N.C. Ghosh.

CMS's PROGRAMME ON SOCIAL ISSUES
Sir Asutosh Mookerjee was aware of social issues and tried to associate people to ressolve social problems. Having insperation from the ideas of Asutosh Mookerjee CMS, on the occasion of its Foundation Day, the Society holds People's Seminar every year. People of all ranks and profession participate in these seminars. The topics of the Seminar related to some modern problem of popular importance. Some of those notable topics were : Mathematics in Management (1978), Einstein's thoughts on Society and Mathematician's Responsibility (1979), Role of Mathematics in Social Development (1980), Transportation Problems and Mathematics (1981), Energy Problems (1982), Environmental Pollution and Mathematics (1983), Utilisation of Mathematics in Social and/or National Development (1984), etc. One of such notable program was workshops on Evironment Pollution due to power plant. CMS had organised number of seminars/workshops on this issue. The author was convenor of seminar on Power Plant, Enivironment Pollution & Mathematical Formulation was held at Calcutta Mathematical Society, where not only academicians participated; but also persons working in power plants and victims of pollution due to power plants attended actively. Thus following Asutosh Mukherjee's goal the Calcutta Mathematical Society took lots of initiatives to be part and persel of the Society.

FELLOWSHIPS/SCHOLARSHIP/PRIZE
To inspire youmg school level student the Calcutta Mathematical Society doing good number of activities each year. Having fund from Jagadish Sharma a student of Satyendra Nath Bose the Society has started 'S.N. Bose Birth Centenary Fellowship' towards research worker each year for doing extra ordinary academic activities. Professor Ganesh Prasad, formar President of the Society made a donation to the Society, out of the income of his donation a fund was created for awarding 'Krishnakumari and Ganesh Prasad Prize' as prize and medal. There is another scholarship named Prof. S. C. Dasgupta Memorial Scholarship.

MUSEUM
To cater researchers on history of mathematics, mathematics teaching methodologies the Society with an ambitious scheme of opening a Museum of Mathematical Models and Charts has started to work. Already a good collection of photographs of the mathematians has been desplyed in the Society's hlls. To fulfill Asotush Mukherjee's dream the Society wants to proceed further for enriching museum in true sense. Moreover some of members like author interested on 'Laboratory Based Mathematics Teaching' are eager to see a standard museum with Mathematical Models, Charts, films and some other audio visual tools such that using noted museum learner can see mathematics at time of doing mathematics.

CALCUTTA MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY HAS DEVELOPED FUNDS
The Calcutta Mathematical Society has developed number of funds for its activities viz. 1. K.K.G.P. Fund, 2. C. E. Cullis Fund, 3. Life Membership Fund, 4. S.N. Bose Memorial Fund, 5. N.R. Sen Memorial Fund, 6. P.K. Ghosh Memorial Award Fund, 7. S.N. Bagchi Memorial Award Fund, 8. Suddhodan Ghosh Memorial Fund, 9. J.C. & K.L. Saha Memorial Fund, 10. R.C. Gupta Endowment Fund, 11. Golden Jubilee Fund, 12. S.N. Bose Reserch Centenary Fellowship Fund, 13. S.C. Dasgupta Scholarship Fund, 14. Anita Bose Majumdar Award Fund, 15. H.N. Chatterjee Scholarhip Fund, 16. M.N. Sen Scholarship Fund, 17. Employees Pension Fund, 18. Employees Gratuity Fund, 19. Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Fund, 20. S. K. Majumder Scholarship Fund.

Conclusion :
From above noted short description perhaps it is enough to understand how a seed planted by Asutosh Mookerjee has become a big tree with branches, flowers and fruits enriching next generation mathematicians continuously. The Calcutta Mathematical Society now not a mere society; it is an institution. On 2008 CMS has covered its hundreth annivarsary journey. Due to several shortcommings hundreth year programs could not stemulate nation. It is true, its journey was not smooth, linear, laminar, uniform; some times dark cloud disordered its path, deluded progress but ultimately CMS is in CMS's orbit. In 150th birth annivarsary of Asutosh Mookerjee so it is the responsibily of Indian nation to declare Calcutta Mathematical Society a Harritage Society and it is the duty of Union Government to take all its responsibility with all its assets to flurish it under national care instead of few persons. On the occasion of sesquicentennial birth anniversary of Sir Asutosh Mookerjee State Government can honour Asutosh Mookerjee – a reformer of indian education, extending its support not only sanctioning a good amount towards Calcutta Mathematical Society; but may take appropriate measure for making it a Harritage Society for its sustainable development.
Also it is urgent to publish all the works on mathematics done by Asutosh Mookerjee under the initiative of State Government. Institute of Science Education and Culture or Calcutta Mathematical Society or Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Institute may be assigned the responsibility for doing this labourise job.
If fund is available ISEC can arrange Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Lecture every year and notable person may be invited for delivering valued talk to inspire present generation to move for justice, education, innovation and self-reliance.

Dr. N.C. Ghosh, Dept. of Mathematics, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkatat, Res. : EKTP, Phase–IV,No.C–34/4,Kolakata– 700107, Mobile : 9831100325 Email : [email protected]