Karaikudi (Tamil Nadu): Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that more emphasis is needed on Mathematics Education in India and the country needs to carry forward the legacy of great mathematicians like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and Ramanujan.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ramanujan Centre for Higher Mathematics at Alagappa University, Manmohan Singh said that India has a glorious tradition in mathematics which it needs to encourage and nurture.

"This becomes especially important because mathematics is finding increasing use in the study of other disciplines. India is short of competent mathematicians and the mathematical community has a responsibility to encourage and facilitate the study of mathematics as an academic discipline in our country", he said.

The PM also hoped that the Ramanujam Centre will be of great help in promoting mathematics education in the southern part of the country.

Paying tribute to the legendary mathematician after whom the Centre has been named, Singh said, "Srinivas Ramanujan was a great son of India and Tamil Nadu, and ranks among giants in the world of mathematics. His genius was such that it shone bright even in the face of economic difficulties and with little formal training in mathematics. This year we are celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Ramanujan and therefore it is very appropriate that this Centre has been named after him".

Singh quoted his declaration at another event where he announced that Ramanujan's birthday will be celebrated every year as the National Mathematics Day, and the year 2012 will be celebrated as the National Mathematical Year.